Run substrate question

[RachelFromTheBlackLagoon]

My run has a sheet metal floor with a few inches of dry, sandy dirt on top. Should I leave it this way when my girls move in? I guess another option would be putting shavings in there. My run is roofed and under a big pine tree so the floor will probably not get very wet.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I would leave it as is without the shavings. It may not get "very" wet in your run, but I would expect shavings or any organic bedding to hold moisture and be a problem.

 

[Davaroo]

Drainage, drainage, drainage. That is your concern, as damp is the enemy.

 

[patandchickens]

This 'sheet metal floor', what sheet metal is it made of? Because unless it is stainless steel (not likely) or pretty heavy-gauge aluminum, it may not take it too long to become a serious safety hazard for the chickens as spots rust out and form holes to catch toes when they're scratching...

My 'fixing a muddy run' page has discussion of some of the pros and cons of some run footing choices. If the floor has enough pitch to prevent any standing water, coarse mulch or even straw might be ok (tho they might not, you'd have to play it by ear), or if not, coarse sand or a sand-gravel mix would probably be the best second choice.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[RachelFromTheBlackLagoon]

It looks like a panel from a swimming pool. It's coated with some blue stuff. I found it behind my shed (its been back there for years exposed to the elements) it was the exact size of my run so I just laid it inside the floor framing. If I put several more inches of coarse, sandy soil on the dirt that's currently there would that help with drainage?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hopefully you checked out Pat's page on fixing a muddy run. It has good info.

I don't know how big your run is, how well it is covered, or the lay of your land. Some, or maybe all, of my comments probably won't apply to your specific run. A lot depends on just how wet if can get.

Putting a few more inches of a sandy soil will certainly help with drainage. If you build the level up with a clayey soil, it will help keep outside water from running into the run and getting it wet, but the chickens will scratch holes in it that can become mud puddles if water gets into them. Sand will not stay wet like clay will. Sand or a sandy soil is certainly better.

Sand may need to be contained. That means a strip of something to help keep it from washing out and being scratched out of the run. Probably more important in a smaller run that a larger run and certainly depends on your layout. My run is on a crown. The natural slope is on one side and I created a swale on the other to keep water out. Even if my chickens scratch out my clayey soil, water will not run into it. Now, mud puddles from blowing rain is another problem.

With a covered run, a little strategic ditching and maybe gutters and downspouts may keep a lot of outside water out, but you'll get all that from Pat's site.

The reason I don't like organic material like straw, wood chips, or shavings in a run is that if they get wet, they can get moldy, which is not good for the chickens. As it rots, it turns to a black organic material that is great for your garden but can contribute to a messy run. One reason compost is so good for your garden is that it retains moisture. Straw especially can mat down and be hard to remove. If your run stays dry, the organic material gives your chickens something to scratch in and find more bugs. By scratching more, they will keep it stirred up, thus mixing in their poop better. You can certainly try it and see what happens, but I'd initially try a thinner layer of organic material that may be easier to deal with if you need to.

Good luck!

 

[GardeNerd]

It sounds okay to me if it hasn't already rusted from the elements.

I have 2 to 3 inches of coarse sand in my run over concrete. I love it and it is easy to rake out. I have even hosed out the back wall of the run and it dried out pretty quickly. The run has a 2 x 4 frame around the bottom so it doesn't get too messy outside.

 

[RachelFromTheBlackLagoon]

Well it rained pretty hard from yesterday morning until early this morning and my run stayed dry!!! I think I'm going to keep the metal because I'm pretty positive that it won't rust. I will keep an eye on it and also add more soil. The bottom rails of my run are 2x4s and should help to keep everything in. Also, there's a hump in the ground underneath the metal that runs the length of the run. If water were to collect, it should run off to either side and hopefully drain. I'll have to play it by ear, but if it becomes an issue the metal won't be hard to remove. Thanks, everyone!