Substrate for pen

[KingD]

If your run litter turns into a muddy mess either you have a problem with your ground drainage that needs to be addressed or you are not using enough litter in your run.

You don't want to put down too heavy a layer all at once, but to build it up a few inches at a time with the goal of getting 6-12 inches of assorted organic material.

Any dry organic material that is locally available will work, though wood chips are the best for a muddy area and last the longest.

That's plain wood chips like you get from a tree service or, if you can't get them, plain, undyed mulch. Avoid both cedar and dyed mulch.

Might have to give this a go!

 

[Knighstar679]

If your run litter turns into a muddy mess either you have a problem with your ground drainage that needs to be addressed or you are not using enough litter in your run.

You don't want to put down too heavy a layer all at once, but to build it up a few inches at a time with the goal of getting 6-12 inches of assorted organic material.

Any dry organic material that is locally available will work, though wood chips are the best for a muddy area and last the longest.

That's plain wood chips like you get from a tree service or, if you can't get them, plain, undyed mulch. Avoid both cedar and dyed mulch.

My drainage problem comes from ducks digging a hole for almost a year. I am filling them in and cutting off access to the quackers. After that the mulch goes down.

 

[SwampFlock]

I am going to be trying construction sand in my next coops (I'm building them at ground level inside a barn on a slab). There is a lot of info on it on YouTube, pros and cons of course, but they say you can scoop it a little like non clumping cat litter AND free grit! Look it up!

 

[Knighstar679]

My drainage problem comes from ducks digging a hole for almost a year. I am filling them in and cutting off access to the quackers. After that the mulch goes down.

It might work for chickens but it failed on my ducks.

 

[SwampFlock]

As far as compost, you can compost materials other than food. Green clippings and brown material like leaves and sticks balance it out. I use urine to speed things up but i live in the country with a composting toilet.

 

[3KillerBs]

Gravel is hard on the birds' feet and doesn't react with the poop so that the poop filters down in to stink when it eventually gets wet.

 

[SwampFlock]

Gravel is hard on the birds' feet and doesn't react with the poop so that the poop filters down in to stink when it eventually gets wet.

Sorry I meant construction sand not gravel.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Will my chickens be ok with mulch down in my pen, I figured it will look tons better than just tossing wood chips on the ground

Any link or photo of the mulch you're considering?

Main benefits of wood chips vs mulch is cost and the chunkiness of wood chips allows for better drainage and aeration. I disagree that mulch looks "tons better" - a mud free run looks best of all.

 

[3KillerBs]

Sorry I meant construction sand not gravel.

Where are you located?

Sand only works when kept perfectly dry. Because the dried poop filters down into the sand instead of reacting to form compost the way it does with an organic litter the moment it gets wet it will rot and stink.

 

[Knighstar679]

Any link or photo of the mulch you're considering?

Main benefits of wood chips vs mulch is cost and the chunkiness of wood chips allows for better drainage and aeration. I disagree that mulch looks "tons better" - a mud free run looks best of all.

The easiest thing to find around me is black mulch. I looked for natural wood chips and can’t seem to fin any..