So many run floor materials.....so little success

[Hen Momma]

Hello everyone,

I've read through many of the threads here, but am looking for all the opinions on materials for the floor of the run.

I've tried sand, grass/dirt, pine shavings, straw - but online keeps telling me I need to try a different method than whatever I'm using- and I do - but then there's a new idea....

My husband may move all my belongings out to the coop and make me live there if I don't decide what to use this year and stick with it. It's a wooden built run with hardware cloth walls and a solid plastic roof (those wavy panels). In winter or times of heavy rain, we cover the sides with heavy plastic.

What do you use? Why? Give me all the thoughts!!! Please and thank you!

 

[FernwoodHollow]

I do sand and frankly I love it, cleaning is a breeze its literally a giant litter box it takes me 5 minutes and i do it maybe once a week. It keeps moisture down, its less hospitable to pests like mites lice etc than deep warm humid bedding, it keeps their feet clean and my coop has NEVER stunk alot of folks really like the deep litter method too and that makes alot of sense to me in the winter too but maybe its the restaurant and food safety background in me but the idea of a warm humid moist environment just seems like itd be asking for trouble but i know it works excellently for thousands of people! Alot of people do like regular garden mulch the big chunky stuff and that works really well for folks too.

Honestly though my biggest advice is stop listening to what's on trend or what everybody on the internet or on here does. There are lots of people that believe only their way is the only right way and thats false we all have different climates, birds, resources etc. if you've tried a bunch of different kinds already think about what kind has worked best for you and what kinds haven't worked best for you and why and that should tell you what you need and what would work best for you and then jsut stick with it till you dont like it anymore

 

[rosemarythyme]

We can't tell you what might be best for you without a lot more specifics, such as climate, litter material availability, soil condition, drainage at site, stocking density and overall size of run, etc.

What has your dissatisfaction been with the materials you've tried?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

We can't tell you what might be best for you without a lot more specifics, such as climate, litter material availability, soil condition, drainage at site, stocking density and overall size of run, etc.

What has your dissatisfaction been with the materials you've tried?

Ditto.

What’s your base soil under the run? Heavy, non-draining clay; fast draining sandy soil; etc.? Which direction does rain drain? Is the slope steep, barely there, etc.?

My run sounds a lot like yours (wood framing and HWC walls.) I have a random blend of hardwood mulch, pine straw (dead needles), pine shavings, grass clippings, dead leaves - whatever helps mimic a forest floor. Our base soil is heavy but fertile clay. I periodically (as in once every 4-6 weeks) fork up the run materials and chicken doots into the underlying soil. The overall level of the soil+additives has risen at least six inches.

I’m very happy with it (the chickens are too) and have zero plans to change.