Run floor question

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: Either your run is too small for the number of birds, or you didn't use enough sand.

 

[Jakoda]

I haven't found my run (part that's not covered) to be muddy, smelly etc...And my run is in a rather low lying area, it drains good, only flooded once, but again, it drained very fast ..

 

[c2chicks]

I use sand in my uncovered run; if it gets a little stinky, I mix in a bucket of Sweet PDZ-- it takes care of the ammonia smell AND helps keep the sand nice and fluffy

 

[Urbanchicken62]

In my covered run, I put down a load of coarse sand, a load of river rock, another load of sand, then topped it off with pine bark mulch. It drains and has no smell at all.

 

[DebFred]

I have a question. We are going to have chicks this spring. Only plan on a few for eggs to start with, but knowing me, will get more. Our back yard gets standing water if it rains a lot. I am concerned about that with the chickens. I don't plan on free range, cause our yard isn't fenced. I do plan on a decent size coop and a run. I just don't know what to put on the floor of the run. Or ground, rather. I've seen some with dirt, but with the rain that would turn to mud fast. Also seen some with pebble gravel. I would like for them to have scratching room, but not sure what to do. I know they are just chickens, but part of the fun of having chickens to me, is watching them peck and such.

 

[2coopscounting]

We have a good sized run, 14 X 20 feet, and get a lot of rain and snow. The floor of our run is sloped a bit, and we got several yards of wood chips for free from a tree trimming service. They trim along power lines in rural areas, like ours, and are more than happy to give the stuff away. We piled the chips eight to ten inches deep and leveled the whole area. It works great and the chickens love to scratch around in it. .

 

[DebFred]

Thank you so much. Our area is flat,but I will try to pick an area that doesn't seem to get as wet. I guess any organic material would work. We can get our neighbor to get us gravel to put a ground for it I guess. Just really want to see them have fun in the run. Maybe let them peck and scratch till all the grass is gone, then put stuff down. In the fall we get a lot of leaves they will enjoy. We have a wood chipper so we could also use that for them, but I use the loose wood lying around for firewood or kindling. I need to come up with a coop design too. Hubby will build it, but I will help. Wish I could draw better than a first grader....

 

[The Lazy L]

...back yard gets standing water if it rains a lot.... I just don't know what to put on the floor of the run. Or ground, rather. I've seen some with dirt, but with the rain that would turn to mud fast. ...

I built a 2 x 4 border around the base of my run then filled it with sand. That put the run floor 3 1/2" above grade and allows for drainage.

 

[wekiva bird]

I built a 2 x 4 border around the base of my run then filled it with sand. That put the run floor 3 1/2" above grade and allows for drainage.

Your set up looks good.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Local sawmills can be a great place to find organic material. I have even dumped wheelbarrows full of horse manure in there...man they love that. If i had to keep my chickens in a run I would try to have two runs, one to rest and regrow, the other for activity. Keep in mind that chickens need to scratch, just like a rat needs to chew. It does keep their toes in good condition. Plus all that stirring keeps the run clean and not stinky. Less work for you.