Run: Dirt/Grass Vs. Sand

[CPlacht74]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

Bare dirt is a breeding ground for bad bacteria. Making it deep littler or semi deep litter (I pick up poo) will give a healthier alternative as it invites other bugs and bacteria and creates a thriving, balanced ecosystem... That ELIMINATES stink!

I went with washed river sand delivered by a dump truck... and quickly realize it stinks to high heaven around the edges of my covered run when it rains DESPITE removing poo daily... poo juice gets left behind. I also have it in my large coop. Using the sand on my droppings boards... never dried out in my area, but when it did and I used the kitty scooper to remove waste... talk about breathing a nasty cloud of poo dust... and requiring a face mask. Also gets pricey, throwing sand out and replacing it... some is okay in the garden, but for my droppings board AND garden mulching... I far prefer rice hulls or nothing. Plus moving all that sand was a JOB that was very heavy. Humidity is at 100% all winter long here in the PNW.

As much as grass is nice too look at... Poo builds quickly in small areas... even though my Silkies didn't scrape the ruin to bare dirt... What I discovered is I like access to grass but also using semi deep litter... grass, leaves, bark, shavings, general mulch. Watering the grass area often (more than needed to keep it green) to wash away smashed down or left behind poos.

I just used old 4x4s around the base of the run to hold the sand (now DL) in. Yes, the DL also requires renewing of material. I am always adding fresh stuff, including used hay/shavings/ rice hulls from my coops/brooders.

I don't consider true DL as perfect for me. And research SAID sand was the best choice. Things aren't always the same in person as they are on paper. Sometimes it takes experimenting a little throughout different seasons to see what will really work best for you at your location with your stock load and your cleaning practices.

I am fortunate that my covered run is DL and my birds have access to all the green pasture they want. But if they didn't... I would totally be going with DL (once grass is gone), and adding grazing frames as others have suggested.

Good luck, can't wait till YOU are the one sharing your experience with others!

So I did a little looking and it says DL isn't recommended for the Summer months, due to the heat created.... so then what?

 

[The Lazy L]

Sand. Their poop dries and they work it into the sand to make it disappear. I have good drainage that allows this to work for me.

 

[Ebony Rose]

So I did a little looking and it says DL isn't recommended for the Summer months, due to the heat created.... so then what?

Wasn't on your list of options, but I'm gonna put it out there anyway. Rice husks. If you live anywhere near rice farmers, you can buy it downright cheap, and some places will outright give it away if you'll haul it away. It doesn't mold, get slimy or snotty, pack down too hard or blow away too much. It weighs almost nothing, so when your girls toss it around, their poop sinks to the bottom, and if they're not tossing it often enough you can easily shovel it around to force the issue It's really easy to shovel out and haul to your compost pile and might as well have been made for deep litter method. Works GREAT for clay heavy soils as it helps to 'de-gum' the whole clay-ey mess and over the years your soil (and plants) will thank you for it. I'd start with six to eight inches, add more when needed.

 

[rosemarythyme]

So I did a little looking and it says DL isn't recommended for the Summer months, due to the heat created.... so then what?

Keep in mind most of us that do deep litter don't do a true deep litter, which is more like a compost system. It's the composting of materials that would heat up, and you'd need quite a lot of it.

I have mainly wood chips, dried grass and leaves, and some other garden debris I toss in there, about a few inches deep (hard to say for sure as some of it has broken down or compacted over time). It's enough to absorb poop and odors and mud and allows for good drainage, but certainly not thick enough to compost the way a compost pile would.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

So I did a little looking and it says DL isn't recommended for the Summer months, due to the heat created.... so then what?

Ah... ya, my method of DL does not create heat really and might not truly be considered DL... it's fairly dry but still a mixture of different materials. And I just don't make it "rich" enough to get hot.. Usually only dumping a couple bags of fresh (wet green) lawn clippings per week. I like to think of it similar to the forest floor... A thick layer of mulch that SLOWLY turns to soil. By slowly... I mean it's been about 3 years since I went from dirt to sand and starting adding material.. still no need to move it YET... run size, stock, load, and many other things will impact this... but have you been to the forest?!

I really do like the rice hulls a lot.. but wasn't sure about the molding issue long term, so didn't recommend them specifically. I would try them before sand. In my little coops they work MUCH better.

 

[aart]

Annnd gooooooo…..

...here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/59469681/?q=run+bedding&t=post&o=date&c[title_only]=1

My runs have semi-deep litter(cold compost), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.