The run

[New2COchicks]

Hi
so I am noticing the run is building up in poop. It used to be grass and now just dirt. Should I put down wood chips. THEY SEEM TO SCRATCH THEM AWAY. MAYBE I NEED MORE.

 

[britesidefarm]

In an old coop I had I used just dirt for the run, and when it rained in the winter it turned to mud and froze all my chicken to death. If your in a place that gets fairly cold or it rains quite frequently, I suggest using stall mats for the outside and you can put shavings or any type of bedding on top.

 

[neo71665]

My run is just dirt

 

[New2COchicks]

In an old coop I had I used just dirt for the run, and when it rained in the winter it turned to mud and froze all my chicken to death. If your in a place that gets fairly cold or it rains quite frequently, I suggest using stall mats for the outside and you can put shavings or any type of bedding on top.

What is a stall mat?

 

[neo71665]

What is a stall mat?

horse stall mat, just a rubber mat

 

[New2COchicks]

Thanks

 

[3KillerBs]

Yes, you should put down a good, thick layer of wood chips, straw, pine straw, fall leaves, or whatever dry organic material comes to hand.

Unlike sand, gravel, rubber, etc. the organic material both absorbs water AND reacts with the poop to create compost. When you have a good balance of poop and dry organic material the run will be completely odor-free.

 

[svh]

My run is on a slight hill, and at the low end my wood chips, and forest debris is about 18", and the high end is about 8".

When I add new material, I just pile it up at the top of the run, and the birds spread it around nicely !