Sand, Mulch, DG or ?

[lazy gardener]

SwtGrc said: ↑
Is it "bad" to not have anything on the ground of the run?

IMO, bare soil is unhealthy soil. Perhaps not if it's freshly tilled, but if it is left bare in any location, it will become unhealthy. The beneficial microbes will be compromised, it is prone to erosion, pathogens proliferate. In the case of a run, the soil becomes so loaded with feces and the nutrients in the feces that it burns any plant life that is trying to get established. With the absence of beneficial microbes and insects, disease organisms abound. Any erosion will pollute any soil down stream from the extra nitrogen and phosphorous.

 

[SwtGrc]

SwtGrc said: ↑
Is it "bad" to not have anything on the ground of the run?

IMO, bare soil is unhealthy soil. Perhaps not if it's freshly tilled, but if it is left bare in any location, it will become unhealthy. The beneficial microbes will be compromised, it is prone to erosion, pathogens proliferate. In the case of a run, the soil becomes so loaded with feces and the nutrients in the feces that it burns any plant life that is trying to get established. With the absence of beneficial microbes and insects, disease organisms abound. Any erosion will pollute any soil down stream from the extra nitrogen and phosphorous.

Great points, thank you!!
Our coop floor became bare when construction started, so I can't blame the chickens. However, I do keep a very clean coop (kinda OCD about cleaning) and our chickens are free range except to sleep.
Any suggestions/recommendations as far as disinfectives or ground cover other than sand?? TIA