Small-ish rocks in run dangerous?

[ccfoote]

Hello all! We’re about to get our first hens. We’re going to convert a portion of the structure below into a hen house and screen it in for a protected run. I’m worried about the small-ish but not tiny rocks that are in there now. Should I remove them? I’ve tried to show a scale for the size w/ my hand in the 2nd photo. Are they too big for the chickens to mess w/ (try to eat) but too small for grit? Thanks for any thoughts…

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I've got pea rocks all over my place, and I've never had problems.

LofMc

 

[nuthatched]

They won't be a problem. Is the whole gazebo being turned into a coop? It's nice.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If this was my set up, I'd remove it (doesn't have to be meticulous, a little bit remaining is fine). Main concerns for me would be 1) if you don't put additional softer litter on top, gravel can be hard on chicken feet especially if there's roosts or other taller items they're jumping off of onto that surface and 2) as chickens poop on top of gravel, bits of it can filter down, rot, and start smelling.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Agree you don't want the runs full of pea gravel. Somehow I assumed it was around for free range to wander by (like mine). But you clearly indicate this would be house and run.

Pea gravel will soon stink in run and hurt chicken feet to constantly walk on. Fill run with dirt and pine shavings to hold down smell and make fine compost. You could leave rock at bottom for drainage.