standing water in the run..

[tattooedchickenlady]

My runs are turning into swimming pools.....I have a 20 X25 run that is dirt and we have put down sand in the past, but with our drought ended my run stays muddy all the time. And it stinks..........
I just got over my back being out, so I can now shovel sand and/or dirt, but which is the best option?
My run isn't covered, so shavings are not a good option, tho I did consider spreading some over the mud hole to try to soak up the mud. I don't want my flock to get sick but just as it dries out, it rains again.....

 

[Ridgerunner]

You might check out this site. It could help.

Muddy Run
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run

 

[chickenlittle32]

Hi neighbor, LOL...I use either straw or pine bedding...either way clears it up pretty quickly. Put some lime mixed in there to help cover the smell. Good luck!

 

[Opa]

More sand. After 60 some years of slogging through barnyard, paddocks, stalls, chicken runs and the like, I've never seen anything used that works better than sand.

 

[SPRING CREEK FARM]

I don't know how big the area is that needs to be covered; we had similar problems in June when we kept getting all that rain, though I did not have standing water, just stinking wretched mud! I got in there and scraped it down best as I could. My husband got a load of creek gravel and we graveled part of it. The other part I sprinkled quite a bit of DE on it to help dry up the wetness and take care of the odor. Then we shoveled several scoops of sawdust in there for them to take their dust baths in. They really seemed to love it after we were finished!

But, guess what? It has been raining again, and I will need to give the pens another dose of TLC this weekend. I have found that the gravel really does help and we don't cover the entire run with it. Hope this helps!

 

[tattooedchickenlady]

Thanks for the article ridgerunner!
Hey chickenlittle! We should get together, maybe a coop sand shoveling party?
*hint, hint*
Thanks Opa, I was thinking that I would like to get more sand...there is a sand pit less than a mile form us and a limestone pit (can I put that?) I'll call them Monday. I'll see about the gravel sand combo...
Spring creek, my runs are kinda big.....and I went out this afternoon and dug a trench to try to get most of it to run off...but they have managed to dig quite a hole in the middle.

And man, does it stink.....we put down lime recently, (can't find DE) but with the mud situation, what's the point?

 

[Opa]

How are things in Louisana? My oldest son used to live in Ponchatoula and the youngest lived in the French Quarter for several years. I used to visit quite often and remember trying to dig fence posts in ground that would be wet clinging clay one day and almost like concrete two days later.

 

[SPRING CREEK FARM]

Quote:
Yeah, the DE can't do too much unless the mud is scraped down to something solid...the lime should do well to help with the odor and drying things up a bit as long as it is the agricultural grade that won't burn their feet. Sounds like you have things going your way, it just stinks that you have to do so much heavy shoveling with your back hurt. I priced a load of sand last month and it was absolutely ridiculous, that is why we did what we did. Whatever works, huh?

 

[tattooedchickenlady]

Yeah, still the same! I'm about an hour from Ponchatoula and an hour from New Orleans and we are on clay...I hate it! I would say hubby hates it more though because he has had to dig fence post holes lol.
We had a serious drought going on, the ground even cracked! But now we get rain at least once a week. I know, I shouldn't complain........but it's bad for the run, good for everything else.

I guess you trade off things you can and can't live with huh? I lov e to visit Michigan, but the cold would kill me. When I was in the Navy I dated a guy from Michigan, can't remember the town, but he mentioned kids and a family and moving up there......I had to let that one go. He was a great guy, but I am all Southern kwim?

 

[tattooedchickenlady]

Our last load didn't cost much, only about $125 I think, so I suppose it's worth it in the end. I need to build up the sides to hold in the sand too I suppose.
Today I was out there digging a trench to get the water to run off, miniskirt, cute shirt, the works....yeah, I had to come right in a take a shower. I can still smell it in my nose. Yay...
I guess I know hat we'll be doing on hubby's days off. I can't tell you how many hours of his off time have been consumed by my hobby (he says it's my hobby and it's his job heehee).