sand in half the run?

[TTownChics]

We are about to finish our run. I was reading about sand and that's what we are going to do. There is some grass in there. I was thinking about putting sand but only in half the run. Have others done that? And if you leave a grassy area, is there a concern about smell, flies or anything?

I have been reading a lot of threads on sand but i am still a bit confused about which kind to get

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

We are about to finish our run. I was reading about sand and that's what we are going to do. There is some grass in there. I was thinking about putting sand but only in half the run. Have others done that? And if you leave a grassy area, is there a concern about smell, flies or anything?

I have been reading a lot of threads on sand but i am still a bit confused about which kind to get

There is no reason this wouldn't work and be a fine idea. How large is the run, though, and how many birds are you keeping in it? I ask to get an idea of how much grassy area you are envisioning having as a lot of folks underestimate how very quickly chickens will strip a confined area bare...the more birds to the less grassy area, the faster it will happen.

 

[TTownChics]

16x16 and 8 chickens. I guess it could only be in 1/4 of it. I dont want to totally deprive them of grass

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Honestly, it wouldn't matter if you had the entire run dedicated to grass, they would quickly remove every bit of vegetation, it isn't just about eating it, but also about the digging/scratching that they do that tears up plants as well. You can do things to protect and preserve the grass such as using "grazing frames" https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/627048/grazing-frame-plans-to-protect-grass-for-chickens or you can consider the run a "sacrifice area" and then allow them to free range outside the run daily to get exposure to heavier vegetation in the yard (if free ranging is not comfortable to you you could have a portable, tractor style, "grazing pen" they can be in, etc. Another option is to grow planters full of various vegetation that you can place in the run for a treat - this allows you to be able to move the planter out of the run before it's totally wiped out so the plants can re-grow or, if it is wiped out, to re-plant it and start it again.

 

[Ackchickens]

Honestly, it wouldn't matter if you had the entire run dedicated to grass, they would quickly remove every bit of vegetation, it isn't just about eating it, but also about the digging/scratching that they do that tears up plants as well.  You can do things to protect and preserve the grass such as using "grazing frames" https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/627048/grazing-frame-plans-to-protect-grass-for-chickens or you can consider the run a "sacrifice area" and then allow them to free range outside the run daily to get exposure to heavier vegetation in the yard (if free ranging is not comfortable to you you could have a portable, tractor style, "grazing pen" they can be in, etc.  Another option is to grow planters full of various vegetation that you can place in the run for a treat - this allows you to be able to move the planter out of the run before it's totally wiped out so the plants can re-grow or, if it is wiped out, to re-plant it and start it again.

What kind of things would you suggest growing In planters that would re-grow again/quickly ?

 

[TTownChics]

Also interested in what plants and thank you. You have helped me a lot!

 

[Sustained]

I like that idea. I'm going to try dandelions. They grow like crazy around here and if you don't pull up the roots they're right back in a week. Although I'd love to know anything else that would work well for fast regrowth.