Run cleanliness

[skatcatla]

I use bark chips or mulch in mine. My run is smaller than yours though, only about 8 x 3. I get bags at Home Depot for $3-6 each..they smell nice and take a long time to break down but then again my climate is fairly dry. I have the whole run covered with a thin tarp to keep rain out.

Once every couple of weeks I just give it a rake over, and add a bit more on top if I need to.

 

[Mommyof2]

I use sweet pdz faithfully. Go to your local feed store or pet store and check it out. It is so great and safe to the chickens.

 

[joanm]

We've had three inches of rain in the past two days and there was standing water in part of the run. It's a soggy mess right now - ugh, so gross! I'll have to try sand...

 

[suburbanhomesteader]

I agree; best to cover the run, and then alter the drainage so that it doesn't flow into the run.

It's been raining for 3 days here, and 1/2 of the chunnel (the covered half) is dry and the hens are enjoying life.

I also add a LOT of leaves, several times, to the entire run. The hens love playing in them, they break down and make the soil more fun for the hens to play in, and in the half which gets water, there are a lot of worms on the wetter days; it's hard to get the hens to come into the dry side sometimes, they are so active in the wet, soft soil !