Sand, woodchips, topsoil, oh my!

[urbanhomesteader_shiona]

So I am keeping chickens in the city and recently moved them into their coop and run outside. To ensure that they weren’t scratching in contaminated soil, I covered the ground with several inches of woodchips, and then built the run on top of that. I placed poultry mesh below to ensure that raccoons and woodchucks, etc cannot dig in but now my ladies are walking around just on poultry mesh. I’d like to fill in the run but I’m not sure what material to use. Concerned about getting bulk topsoil from around here for contamination from lead, etc but not sure how to avoid a smelly mess with a woodchip base. Is sand the better option? There’s no access to bulk sand around here, so I’d have to buy it in bags of either all purpose (which often has silica in it) or play sand.

 

[urbanhomesteader_shiona]

Note: I already have a barrier constructed to hold in whatever material I fill in the run with.

 

[DobieLover]

Can you please post a picture of your run?
I would install a predator apron around the perimeter of your setup versus putting mesh underneath where they're going to hit it with their feet. They can injure their feet scratching at the wire. And with no other options for scratching they're going to scratch the wire. I would cut it out and then just add more wood chips to the run.
Why are you concerned about contaminated soil? Have you had a sample analyzed?

 

[urbanhomesteader_shiona]

Can you please post a picture of your run?
I would install a predator apron around the perimeter of your setup versus putting mesh underneath where they're going to hit it with their feet. They can injure their feet scratching at the wire. And with no other options for scratching they're going to scratch the wire. I would cut it out and then just add more wood chips to the run.
Why are you concerned about contaminated soil? Have you had a sample analyzed?

The run is already fully constructed, can’t take the hardware cloth away now or add a skirt of it. When I bought the house, the backyard was basically a junkyard. Full of tiny pieces of broken glass, cement crumbles, old soda cans, etc. Even if I could have managed to remove all the trash, much of the soil in this area has lead contamination. If I add more wood chips, how do clean poop from the run?

 

[DobieLover]

The run is already fully constructed, can’t take the hardware cloth away now or add a skirt of it.

I didn't add my apron until the run was fully constructed so this is confusing to me. If wire is "under" the run it should be accessible on the interior edge if you dig down to it and could be snipped out.

If I add more wood chips, how do clean poop from the run?

You don't. The chickens dig around in the run litter and the poop cold composts and everything slowly breaks down. You can harvest some of it for gardening.
I've never removed anything from the run. I just add more woodchips as needed.

 

[TXchickmum]

Play sand can be added to amend what you have in the run. Also, you might try purchasing bagged organic soil without pesticides or fertilizer. We constructed the run in the same way. The bottom is hardware cloth to eliminate digging predators, and then we filled it with bagged soil that we purchased after researching. -didn't want a bunch of junk in their dirt. The soil is about 8 inches thick inside the run. As far as poop goes, I scoop my coop and run every day. I have a huge composter on the back side of the coop that all of the chicken waste and garden clippings/coffee grounds go into. I prefer a scooped run/coop and recycled poop for excellent garden compost.

 

[urbanhomesteader_shiona]

I didn't add my apron until the run was fully constructed so this is confusing to me. If wire is "under" the run it should be accessible on the interior edge if you dig down to it and could be snipped out.
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You don't. The chickens dig around in the run litter and the poop cold composts and everything slowly breaks down. You can harvest some of it for gardening.
I've never removed anything from the run. I just add more woodchips as needed.

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Oh, this makes sense. I’ll just add a bunch of woods chips, thank you!

 

[DobieLover]

Oh, this makes sense. I’ll just add a bunch of woods chips, thank you!

They'll still dig down to the wire. Chickens DIG.

 

[urbanhomesteader_shiona]

They'll still dig down to the wire. Chickens DIGpthat they reach the

They'll still dig down to the wire. Chickens DIG.

Perhaps, but it’ll be better that they reach the wire instead of a bunch of broken glass, metal, and concrete. Backyard was literally a junkyard full of dangerous trash and poison ivy. Had to sheet mulch the whole thing.

 

[MaAker]

I am new to chickens and have wire on the bottom of my run. In retrospect, the wire apron may be better. However, I haven’t had any issues with wire on the bottom so far. I put a lot of River/rock/sand mix (from Menards or Lowes) in mine. Yes, they dig it up but when I see it getting close to the bottom I just rake it up. I have extra bags on hand to add occasionally as well. Mine do a lot of free ranging so this isn’t an issue - but I’m not worried the days they stay in the run either. I live on a lake and mink, weasels and muskrats can dig so I felt like this was the best protection at the time. I may also add the apron tho - great idea! Good luck! One thing I’ve noticed is everyone does things a little different. We learn as we go. I can honestly say that I stressed way to much and have come to the point where I do the best I can and learn from my mistakes. Sometimes it’s just trial and error. I love my little ladies - they are so fun, enjoy!!