Sand in the run

[Wyatt0224]

Hello everyone! For my run/coop we have a fairly medium size run for a lot of chickens with more to come and between them walking constantly and pooping and the mud from all the rain we've been getting the grass and run is starting to look really bad. So I was wondering if an idea to solve this would be to use sand? I know I could just scoop up their poop. Do you guys think this would work or no?

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

Yes sand is great. You might also consider a deep litter. This is a litter filled with many different materials, wood chips, grass clippings, compost material. It allows the poop and waste to decompose more naturally.

 

[teach1rusl]

I like sand. We get ours by the ton (or 3/4 ton) from a local landscaping business - sooo much cheaper than buying it by the bag. In my area, sand is about $20 a ton, which is dirt cheap in my opinion. I get the rough stuff with a bit of pea gravel mixed in with it (can't remember what they call it). I do think it helps, although it will have to be replenished/topped off as time goes by...

 

[Wyatt0224]

I like sand. We get ours by the ton (or 3/4 ton) from a local landscaping business - sooo much cheaper than buying it by the bag.  In my area, sand is about $20 a ton, which is dirt cheap in my opinion.  I get the rough stuff with a bit of pea gravel mixed in with it (can't remember what they call it).  I do think it helps, although it will have to be replenished/topped off as time goes by...

Right of course. In my area it has been torrential down poor nonstop for the past couple of weeks and now the run is starting to show it.

 

[lilmillefleur]

Sand is a good idea. Our coop is built on an old slab of concrete so we use sand under the shavings to keep the ground soft and protect the hens feet.

 

[aart]

...... consider a deep litter. This is a litter filled with many different materials, wood chips, grass clippings, compost material. It allows the poop and waste to decompose....

Here's a great description of contents and how to manage organic 'bedding' in a run or coop...and there's a great video of what it looks like.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1037998/muddy-run-help-please#post_16017992