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Soupy Muddy coop Run Too much Rain ! Need Quick Fix !!

Discussion in 'Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance' started by mynewbabies, Oct 12, 2013.

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  1. Oct 12, 2013 Post #1 of 17
    mynewbabies

    mynewbabies Chirping

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    Harrington, Delaware
    OMG ,
    What a mess 4 days of rain , now have soupy coop run, I felt terrible they don't have a dry spot anywhere, so I closed it off and put them in the house to stay dry, now need to fix it.
    Quick fix, should I take out the soupy , muddy mess or can I put Sand on top of it, but what to put on top, pine shavings or straw ? What will work the best ?
     
  2. Oct 12, 2013 Post #2 of 17
    jetdog

    jetdog Songster

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    Clean it out put sand and nothing else, the idea of the sand is so it drains and can be cleaned out with a cat litter scoop. You might want to consider putting a roof over at least some of the run.
     
    1 person likes this.
  3. Oct 12, 2013 Post #3 of 17
    mynewbabies

    mynewbabies Chirping

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    Harrington, Delaware
    It has a roof over it, but the wind comes across the field and blows directly into the sides of the coop, should I plastic that side off ? I used a carport with wire around the whole thing, lots of room and air but what a mess when it rains.
     
  4. Oct 12, 2013 Post #4 of 17
    4 the Birds

    4 the Birds Songster

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    Westfield, Indiana
    High and Dry is a must for the coop and really best for the run as well. Just add material to build up the height of the run whether it is sand, pine chips, straw, etc.... This will help rainwater to drain out of the run instead of creating a soup bowl. I have added scrap plywood to the run floor with plenty of pine chips over top of that to help elevate. At least if you get several days of heavy rain the run will be at worst wet pine chips instead of any type of soupy mud.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Oct 12, 2013 Post #5 of 17
    4 the Birds

    4 the Birds Songster

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    Westfield, Indiana
    Open sides is fine. The air movement will actually help dry things out. Enclosed areas can be smelly.... Elevating the run is the key.
     
  6. Oct 12, 2013 Post #6 of 17
    Egghead_Jr

    Egghead_Jr Crowing

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    NEK, VT
    A quick fix would be to put down straw. If it only gets mucky once in a great while that's all I'd do. If it's a recurring problem then replace the muck with 3-4 inches of sand. Cost more but will last and stay dry.
     
  7. Oct 12, 2013 Post #7 of 17
    Bear Foot Farm

    Bear Foot Farm Crowing

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    When straw gets wet it tends to mat, and creates an anaerobic layer which breeds NASTY bacteria and FOUL odors, in addition to being very difficult to remove.

    Use SAND if your goal is to alleviate the muddy conditions, improve drainage and eliminate odors
     
  8. Oct 12, 2013 Post #8 of 17
    Ridgerunner

    Ridgerunner Free Ranging

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    Southeast Louisiana
    Read this. Lots of good details and ideas.

    Pat’s Big Ol' Mud Page (fixing muddy runs):
    https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run

    Keep as much water out as you can. A covering n the upwind side is as good idea. Make sure your roof drains away from the run. If necessary, use berms or swales to stop rainwater from running in.

    Fix it so any water that gets in can drain out. Building it up with sand is a great idea.
     
  9. Oct 12, 2013 Post #9 of 17
    striperon

    striperon Songster

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    Too many roof designs end close to the walls of the coops and runs. Better to extend the eaves well beyond the walls/sides.
     
  10. Oct 12, 2013 Post #10 of 17
    mrchicks

    mrchicks Songster

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    Wisconsin
    We had the same problem in our run this spring. We added sand and it's been great. It drains well and doesn't smell.
     
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