Run Floor - what do you use?

[WalkoeChicks]

Just wondering what everyone uses for the floor of their runs? Dirt? Mulch? Hay? Sand? Which is best to use? I'm so confused. Coop is up and the girls will be moving out in the next couple of weeks....just wondering what we should do about the ground for in the run. Thanks for any help!

 

[Michael OShay]

First I always run 1/2 inch hardward cloth on the bottom of my runs to keep any digging predators out. Then, if the run has a roof over it to keep the rain off, I put dirt over the hardware cloth. If not, I put a fine pea gravel over it to keep it from turning into a mud hole. Very course sand will also work but I would not use playground sand or beach sand as this has been known to cause the death of chickens by impacting their crops. At times, I have added a thin layer of wood shavings or chips on top of the dirt. Hope this helps.