Run care

[ChickenKen]

I've got 1 RIR rooster and 5 Black Sex Linked hens with a house and an 8'x8' run.http://chickenken.weebly.com/

I'm wondering if I should have anything on the ground in the run (gravel, wood chips, etc.) I know that poop can breed disease and I sure don't want that.

Actually, the ground doesn't get too bad. Just want to make sure.

 

[Mahonri]

I need to add sand.

That said, mine sits on an angle and it has a trench on one side, so refuse finds it's way into the trench and I just clean out the 'trench' 4 or 5 times a year... makes great compost for the garden.

 

[Zac's Flock]

In part of my run I use mowed grass which the chooks love scratching through. I have also read that sand is good to have for the floor in runs.

 

[teach1rusl]

If I had a smaller run and my birds were contained in it most of the time, I'd do go the rock w/a few inches of sand on top route. Everything I've read makes sand sound so easy to clean... That's the route I'm going for my smaller run, even though I mostly free range.

 

[welasharon]

I have an covered open air pen and put sand in the bottom. Poop just seems to vanish. I really like it and the chickens seem to also. THey have sand baths like crazy!
sharon