Run Flooring

[Brittanysorrels]

Will be prepping my run floor soon, first time having chickens. (4 chicks, 1 Duck) Been doing lots of research on the best run-setups. From sand, pine, hemp, to wood chips or anything else? My Climate is hot and humid in the summer, wet with high winds in the spring (Oklahoma tornado winds). And we usually see at least one snow fall in the winter, varied on severity. We seem to have good drainage here, I don’t see puddles in our yard.

I want them to be comfortable, and not disease harboring..but also keeping in mind cost & maintenance. I would really like to be as clean as possible.. They will not be free ranging due to neighboring dogs.
What do you recommend & how often would you think I’ll be changing the bedding? (currently needs changed about every day in my brooder).

 

[cavemanrich]

Sounds like with good drainage, sand would work well for you. You don't need to change it out,, just rake or scoop out the gumdrops as needed. Then add additional topping as needed.
Not sure size of your run you will be making.
Can you swing getting enough sand to cover with 2 inch depth??
Now there is a great divide on sand especially in coops. Its like the Hatfields and McCoys.
I am in favor of sand. I also recommend you get course grade construction sand in bulk. Cheapest route.
Avoid play sand, since it is a finer grain, and not ideal for chickens.
Ask anything else you need to know. There are many here to help with information and advice.


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[FrostRanger]

Pretty much any of the options you listed would work

I do think wood chips or pine would be less maintenance. Sand usually needs to be raked out regularly but if you use wood chips or pine, the poop will mix in and decompose with the wood chips. In the coop, if you use the deep litter method you only need to add more shavings or chips every now and then and do a clean out every few months. The run you only have to add new material and you don't have to change it. Try different things though and see what works for you

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I agree with @FrostRanger thar you will have to find what works for you. Lots of things sound good in theory but in practice most of us learn what works by trying different things. It depends on a lot of things. My last run had very clay-rich soil and terrible drainage. It took me a couple years to build it up with wood chips and sand so it wasn’t a sloppy mess every time it rained. You didn’t say what the soil/dirt is like where your run will go. Keep in mind if it’s grass now it won’t be once the chickens are in there .

 

[Brittanysorrels]

I agree with @FrostRanger thar you will have to find what works for you. Lots of things sound good in theory but in practice most of us learn what works by trying different things. It depends on a lot of things. My last run had very clay-rich soil and terrible drainage. It took me a couple years to build it up with wood chips and sand so it wasn’t a sloppy mess every time it rained. You didn’t say what the soil/dirt is like where your run will go. Keep in mind if it’s grass now it won’t be once the chickens are in there .

Thank you! I’m really considering the sand option for cleanliness but probably going to go for deep litter for a while to see how I like it plus I can use compost.

 

[Brittanysorrels]

Sounds like with good drainage, sand would work well for you. You don't need to change it out,, just rake or scoop out the gumdrops as needed. Then add additional topping as needed.
Not sure size of your run you will be making.
Can you swing getting enough sand to cover with 2 inch depth??
Now there is a great divide on sand especially in coops. Its like the Hatfields and McCoys.
I am in favor of sand. I also recommend you get course grade construction sand in bulk. Cheapest route.
Avoid play sand, since it is a finer grain, and not ideal for chickens.
Ask anything else you need to know. There are many here to help with information and advice.


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

Thank you! The sand was very attractive for cleanliness. I like to hangout with them, and would prefer them to be as clean as possible due to this. I think it almost looks nicer too. I may just see how it goes with deep litter first & then sand at some point.

If you have any pros & cons list would love to hear!

 

[FrostRanger]

Thank you! The sand was very attractive for cleanliness. I like to hangout with them, and would prefer them to be as clean as possible due to this. I think it almost looks nicer too. I may just see how it goes with deep litter first & then sand at some point.

If you have any pros & cons list would love to hear!

Either can be clean and fairly odorless if done right in the right situation (I don't smell anything unless someone just dropped a fresh cecal) and both can stink if done incorrectly or in the wrong environment. I would give you a picture of my run but I just put 16 bags of mulch in yesterday afternoon so of course it looks fresh

In terms of deep litter, odor is usually a sign that you need more litter. I haven't used sand but here's what I'd consider the pros of deep litter
- low maintenance. The run only needs material added every now and then, the coop needs new material a bit more often and the litter only needs to be fully changed out once or twice a year, it certainly can be a job but then you get piles of gardening gold. Srsly, spent coop bedding is absolutely amazing in the garden
- encourages scratching. Sand does too, but chickens absolutely love scratching through organic matter
- lets the chickens do the work of composting for you. Chickens live for scratching around, especially if there's food involved
- woodchips especially new woodchips, smell nice
- woodchips are easier to deal with than sand. Sand is heavier than woodchips which may be a consideration for some people

Cons
- doesn't need attention often, but when you do change out the bedding it can be a big job. But again, you get loads of very useful compost for your garden