Run Floor

[RoyalChick]

I was just meant a kiddie pool would suffice as a dust bath if they wanted to use a concrete base.

My current run is built over a failed (sunken and overgrown) concrete pad with pine shaving, sand and soil for the chickens to dig around in.

Got it. Yes, if you have a concrete pad the kiddy pool makes sense.
I personally wouldn’t install one just for the chicken run.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Just curious why you would go through the expense of concrete. I don't really see the point.

Concrete is stronger and won't rust in a few years like hardware cloth does. The OP mentioned concrete and if there's a budget for it I say go for it.

 

[Speedycat711]

So if I install a hardware cloth apron around the edge do I have to change it out every few years due to rust? I might have misunderstood some of the posts but that’s what it sounded like.

 

[Bsmac]

So if I install a hardware cloth apron around the edge do I have to change it out every few years due to rust? I might have misunderstood some of the posts but that’s what it sounded like.

It should last for quite a while!

 

[Ted Brown]

In my experience HC that is buried will last about 5 years before the welds begin to break down. Once this happens any determined critter can get in.

 

[StinkyAcres]

So if I install a hardware cloth apron around the edge do I have to change it out every few years due to rust? I might have misunderstood some of the posts but that’s what it sounded like.

It depends on your soil, but, yes, it will need to be changed out every few years.

 

[Speedycat711]

Ok, that’s what I’ll do then

 

[mary5]

I wouldn't. They dig like crazy and would hit concrete in no time. I just use dirt and replenish it a bit every week or so. They like digging through it to find bugs and the fresh layer keeps the run smelling nicer.

 

[SqueakyBee]

So I’m going to be getting 3 chickens this Spring and have started designing the run. I was thinking maybe make the floor of the run dirt, but say 2 inches below the dirt have concrete, so that the run is safe, but comfortable. Is this a good idea or should I discard any plans of using concrete?

I am going to do a concrete floor for my new coop as well had issues with mites and our chickens started losing feathers. I plan on doing a couple little kid plastic pools with fresh playground sand with diatomaceous earth. Our hens free range during the day and the only time they will stay in coop all day and night would be when we are out of town.
Curious to see what others think of this plan. (BTW we are in Florida and have 4 hens and will have an 12’x8’ coop).

 

[StinkyAcres]

I am going to do a concrete floor for my new coop as well had issues with mites and our chickens started losing feathers. I plan on doing a couple little kid plastic pools with fresh playground sand with diatomaceous earth. Our hens free range during the day and the only time they will stay in coop all day and night would be when we are out of town.
Curious to see what others think of this plan. (BTW we are in Florida and have 4 hens and will have an 12’x8’).

Fine playground (silica) sand and diatomaceous earth are not suitable for chickens as they have very delicate respiratory systems. Appropriate chicken dust bath substrates are coarse sand, plain top soil/dirt, peat moss, or a mix of these. No need to add any pesticides to the mix.