Straw or wood shavings for run?

[missmychicks]

Almost everyone who has tried a variety of things in runs says that washed river sand is the way to go. I think it's important to prepare the base correctly from the beginning. I'd take out several inches of dirt, put a thick premium landscape fabric down, pack crushed rock down first. Then add boards around and fill about 4 more inches of washed river sand. It still must be maintained and people remove it every 6 months. I've seen several people say they leave it in a pile to be washed by rain and put it back in 6 mos later, when they remove what's in the run.

If there is enough drainage wouldn't it be ok to leave it in place and rinse it with hose (or rain)?

 

[3KillerBs]

If there is enough drainage wouldn't it be ok to leave it in place and rinse it with hose (or rain)?

When you get sand that's full of poop dust wet you create a stinking mess that attracts flies.

Organic bedding like wood chips, straw, etc. composts with the manure but since sand doesn't compost the poop just rots.