Run litter?

[deldeer]

I've been using leaves in my partially covered run to battle this ridiculous rain and mud issue, the ladies seem to like playing in the leaves but they break down extremely fast! The run is starting to smell, so as soon as it gets a little nicer out im going to scratch out the run, my question is what is the best litter to put in? I keep reading plus and minus about pea gravel, sand, pine bark chunks, hardwood chunks, straw, ect. It's getting mind boggling on what to keep my ladies feet clean and dry. They don't seem to mind the mess as much as I do.

 

[perkolator]

I'd keep it organic - arborist mulch, more leaves, straw, shavings, bark, grass clippings, etc.

 

[aart]

First fix any drainage issues.

Then start with coarse wood chippings.

More pics here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/albums/runs.7427859/

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

I agree on wood chips...that’s my plan for this spring. Any organic will help, but leaves, hay, straw, shavings, etc will break down far quicker than wood chips.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Chunky wood chips (preferably aged) make for an ideal base for deep litter. The dried leaves and other organic matter can be added in to break down along with the poop.

Stay away from pea gravel, it's probably the least suitable of the options you listed.

 

[3KillerBs]

What is the root cause of the mud?

Excessive rain? Runoff going through the coop? Water collecting in a low spot?

If you have drainage problems no amount of or type of bedding will prevent mud, only fixing the drainage works.

If it's an excessive rain problem (and I know my area has had a remarkably WET winter), you might consider roofing the run (even a picnic fly or a tarp tied to trees can help).

Regardless, keep piling in any dry organic material that comes readily to hand -- wood chips, wood shavings, straw, pine straw, leaves ... anything and everything. The wood chips break down the slowest (good or bad depending on how much you need compost), and the pine straw dries out on top fastest.

I'd avoid gravel or sand because the poop will wash down into it and ROT there instead of composting with the organic material.

I personally prefer a mix of materials and textures ecause I find that a mix resists packing and matting better than a single material.

Also, if you haven't already added some structure for them to sit on, I suggest a pallet up on blocks and some intact straw bales so they have a place to go to get up out of the muck.

 

[deldeer]

probably the heavy rain we've been having every other day it seems, no low spot or drain issues, chickens are on the high point. The run is covered, its in the post.

 

[3KillerBs]

probably the heavy rain we've been having every other day it seems, no low spot or drain issues, chickens are on the high point. The run is covered, its in the post.

Best thing then is to just keep piling in the dry organic material.

I've lost count of how many gorilla carts of pine straw I've put into my run this winter with all the rain we've had.

 

[jreardon1918]

Wood chips, cut grass, leaves, yard waste, chicken poop... We add pine shavings from inside the coop from the infrequent coop clean outs. The covered run does leak a bit. So there is some moisture. This winter has not been that cold. Dust bathing has been available all winter. The floor of the run is like the forest floor, but the fall leaves are unidentifiable at this point. No smell or mud.

 

[jonalisa]

I've been using leaves in my partially covered run to battle this ridiculous rain and mud issue, the ladies seem to like playing in the leaves but they break down extremely fast! The run is starting to smell, so as soon as it gets a little nicer out im going to scratch out the run, my question is what is the best litter to put in? I keep reading plus and minus about pea gravel, sand, pine bark chunks, hardwood chunks, straw, ect. It's getting mind boggling on what to keep my ladies feet clean and dry. They don't seem to mind the mess as much as I do.

I have used sand going on 10 years. No regrets.