Suggestions on Cleaning Run

[RY29]

I have a 18’x30’ covered run. There is some grass and weeds growing but it’s mostly dirt. My four teenage chickens spend all day in there for now. The poop is not piling up yet but I am wondering how I could clean or keep it tidier without having to cover the bit of grass growing. Any suggestions on how to keep it clean. I also have a sweet pea vine growing next to it. It’s got aphids on it. Is it okay for the chickens or should I remove it? See attached images. The last image is of the ground inside the run. TIA

 

[ChickyCh00k]

IMO, you really don't need to do anything to "clean" that. You *could* rake/scoop the poops up into a bucket (similar to what you might do with dog poo in the yard) and add to/start a compost pile or just let it deteriorate into the dirt/grass.

Sweet pea vine is toxic, so you may want to consider moving it (or maybe prune the lower parts/train it to grow onto something out of reach on the outside). On the other hand, the chickens may ignore it.

 

[Sally PB]

You can add some organic matter like leaves, straw, or wood chips. The nitrogen in the poop will help break down the carbon in the leaves, etc. The entire run can become one big composting area.

I harvest some FANTASTIC compost out of my run once or twice a year. Way better than anything I could buy.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Seconding wood chips or even a chunky playground mulch. I add PDZ to mine for extra drying power. It's fun for the chickens to kick around in as well if you toss scratch or pellets.

 

[Sally PB]

even a chunky playground mulch.

If you buy something, just make certain it's not treated or dyed.

 

[thecatumbrella]

If you buy something, just make certain it's not treated or dyed.

Yes, thank you! Playground mulch is typically undyed, but absolutely double-check before making a big purchase.

 

[RY29]

Seconding wood chips or even a chunky playground mulch. I add PDZ to mine for extra drying power. It's fun for the chickens to kick around in as well if you toss scratch or pellets.

What’s PDZ?

 

[thecatumbrella]

What’s PDZ?

You can find it at Tractor Supply and other farm stores. It's granulated zeolite and helps absorb moisture and odors. Safe if the chickens eat it (it will just pass through like tiny grit).

You can see a photo of it in my Omlet article.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I have a 18’x30’ covered run. My four teenage chickens spend all day in there for now. The poop is not piling up

Some people seem to be born with a "clean gene". It's not just women, some men have it also. Whether it needs cleaning or not, it must be cleaned.

To me, if the poop has built up so that it starts to stink, it must be cleaned. That's generally when the poop gets wet and stays wet for a few days. If it is stinking it is unhealthy and unpleasant.

If the poop builds up to a certain thickness it will be a problem. Under the roosts is a typical area for this. If it gets thick it stays wet and will eventually stink, plus if you or the chicken walks in it you can have a mess. With me that is just unpleasant, but if the chicken is tracking that poop into the nest you need to clean.

I don't know what is happening in your coop, but in a run that size the poop is going to be so spread out it should not be a problem. That's one reason to not go with the absolute minimum amount of space you can get by with, you have to work harder when you go with minimum space.

With that much space I would not clean it unless I saw a problem. I would not expect to see a problem. That's over 4 times as much room as I have per chicken when I'm really crowded and I never clean my run. I don't have to. But if you feel you much clean, that is your business.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Some people seem to be born with a "clean gene".

* raises hand *

I don't know, I really enjoy scooping poops and the birds love pecking at the poop bucket if I add some stickers for them. It's definitely not for everyone though, especially if you have more than a few chickens!