Run ground question

[lukkyseven]

Most of the run drains very well. It sits on a part of the yard that isn't perfectly flat, but only the very bottom of the area could be an issue. It only this year (excessive levels of rain) has held water for a period longer than a day.

I have access to a wood chipper and thought that might be an okay idea to throw in their from time to time.

If/when I have to shovel the run I plan on just dumping the entire thing onto my compost pile. Yet another reason I had thought about throwing the leaves, grass and wood chippings into the run.

Thanks for your response.

 

[townchicks]

I personally think bare dirt is boring for the chickens, and unless you scoop the poop it can get stinky. My chickens love a pile of leaves or lawn clippings piled in their run, I just dump it in and they spend all day digging and spreading it around, thus burying their droppings. Then I don't have mud when it rains either.

 

[Evelyn's Mom]

This is a great thread... following...

 

[lukkyseven]

I personally think bare dirt is boring for the chickens, and unless you scoop the poop it can get stinky. My chickens love a pile of leaves or lawn clippings piled in their run, I just dump it in and they spend all day digging and spreading it around, thus burying their droppings. Then I don't have mud when it rains either.

How often do you have to dump clippings in? Do you ever scoop out the old stuff or does it break down pretty good?

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

A light layer of sand will keep the run from getting muddy. I have clay soil that gets nasty when wet, and just a thin layer of sand has keep it from getting muddy.

 

[ChickenLeg]

What is your climate?
Sand will need cleaning, IMO.
I have nice sandy soil but eventually it stank when wet.
My run doesn't stink when wet, lots of wood chippings is the key.
Doesn't have to be 'deep litter'...just enough carbon to 'cold compost' the poops.



What is your location?
How big is run?
How many birds?
Are they in it full time?
I know, I know...so many annoying questions,
but the devil is in the details.

@lukkyseven and @ChickenLeg ...
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!
View attachment 1570482

Jackson Tn, few different runs different sizes 10x10ft and ones about 15x10ft. Full time the coop sits off the ground in these pins. I run bantams or LF or grow out in the pins. So anywhere between 10-20 bantams in a 10x10, in the 15x10ft run about 6-10 LF, 10x10 no more than 4-5 LF. Usually full time in runs unless Im feeling generous. Right now only a chickens reside in these runs. Wont restock until this Spring.

 

[Ridgerunner]

From your description is sounds like a good candidate to turn it into a compost pile. I'd consider putting whatever you are currently putting into the other compost pile into the run and let the chickens turn it for you. Let the stuff in your current compost pile keep working until you are ready to harvest it. Then you have two choices.

You can empty the run into that compost pile and let it finish there. Use the run as a gathering place collecting materials to start your next compost batch. a lot of that will already be compost. Or start putting the new stuff in that compost pile location and stop adding stuff to the run. I don't know how you are set up but I'd prefer the first, use the run as a collection area.

 

[townchicks]

How often do you have to dump clippings in? Do you ever scoop out the old stuff or does it break down pretty good?

Whenever I have stuff, right now, I'm sweeping lots of leaves from my lawn and patio. I haven't cleaned it out yet, it is pretty dry here most of the year, it's more like mulch than compost.

 

[ChampionChickens]

Is it best to leave my run as bare earth or cover it with sand. If I leave it bare earth I feel like I'd never have to clean it? Am I wrong?

If I use sand, will the chicken poop still get scratched in?

End question, is one easier maintenance than the other?

Hello,
I do a layer method bedding that is absolutely outstanding!
First, I use pea gravel, Then medium grain play sand, Then Stable Deodorizer, Then I put a couple of cups of diatomaceous earth (a little goes a long way... too much is bad for respiratory) and Finally I put coarse pine shavings on top (Tractor supply).

I have been using this method for about a year now and love it I just occasionally add fresh shavings and the chickens stir it up and mix the run bedding up. No smell or flies anymore it is amazing. I take a rake and mix it and level it out once a week and the ladies love it.

 

[Alwaysblessed03]

It sounds like a combination of the following may be the best bet as a coop/run floor?
1. Pond liner to cover grass once chickens have eaten it all
2. Course concrete gravel (maybe 2 inches deep)
3. Sand on top of gravel (maybe 4 inches deep)

Can anyone comment on this if you have layered or combined gravel with sand, or laid sand on top of gravel. Good idea, or no?