Uncovered run floor covering

[aart]

If so, is the ‘mulch’ option better if the ‘larger bark’?

Whichever has larger pieces.

 

[Kanekoded]

I use traction sand in my run. It dries fast, never gets muddy, it's very easy to keep clean and it's very inexpensive...it also provides all the grit my chickens will ever need. I'm killing 2 birds with one stone

 

[aart]

I use traction sand in my run. It dries fast, never gets muddy, it's very easy to keep clean and it's very inexpensive...it also provides all the grit my chickens will ever need. I'm killing 2 birds with one stone

How big is your run, in feet by feet?
Have you been thru a winter yet?
Is your run covered?

 

[Krugerrand]

My municipality accepts branches / limbs for chipping. Then, they offer the mulch for free. Free is my favorite price!

 

[Kanekoded]

How big is your run, in feet by feet?
Have you been thru a winter yet?
Is your run covered?

My run is 16L x 8H x 8D covered with a corrugated metal roof. While my current run is fairly new (I built it this year), it's a third-sized replica of my last run which was 48L x 8H x 8D, made from the same materials - it lasted 25+ years. With that said, during the winter, I do hang transparent tarps on the front and one of the sides of the run to keep the snow from drifting in. I'm in Wisconsin and the snow can get pretty deep.

 

[aart]

My run is 16L x 8H x 8D covered with a corrugated metal roof. While my current run is fairly new (I built it this year), it's a third-sized replica of my last run which was 48L x 8H x 8D, made from the same materials - it lasted 25+ years. With that said, during the winter, I do hang transparent tarps on the front and one of the sides of the run to keep the snow from drifting in. I'm in Wisconsin and the snow can get pretty deep.

Yes, your location is why I asked.
So you've used sand for 25+ years....and it's easy to clean, even when it freezes in winter?

 

[Kanekoded]

Yes, your location is why I asked.
So you've used sand for 25+ years....and it's easy to clean, even when it freezes in winter?

Well, early on I tried using a lot of different things for the run floor because I got tired of the muddy mess. Out of everything I tried, I found traction sand to be the best/easiest/cheapest option, in fact, I wouldn't do it any other way. The sand doesn't really "freeze" unless large mounds of snow is sitting on top of it - then it really doesn't freeze solid, it just has no way to dry out. I used to just throw pine needles (free option for me) on top of any snow that drifted in so my chickens wouldn't choose to stand in it. Now, I simply attach a few transparent tarps to the outside of the run to keep the snow out - and everything stays dry.

EDITED*** Sorry, yes it's still as easy to clean as a giant litter box would be. A rake does the job.

 

[aart]

yes it's still as easy to clean as a giant litter box would be. A rake does the job.

Have you ever changed out the sand in 25+ years?

 

[Kanekoded]

Well, early on I tried using a lot of different things for the run floor because I got tired of the muddy mess. Out of everything I tried, I found traction sand to be the best/easiest/cheapest option, in fact, I wouldn't do it any other way. The sand doesn't really "freeze" unless large mounds of snow is sitting on top of it - then it really doesn't freeze solid, it just has no way to dry out. I used to just throw pine needles (free option for me) on top of any snow that drifted in so my chickens wouldn't choose to stand in it. Now, I simply attach a few transparent tarps to the outside of the run to keep the snow out - and everything stays dry.

Have you ever changed out the sand in 25+ years?

No, never. What I do to freshen it up and help rebalance the ph level is sprinkle and rake in about 3 cups of lime (non-hydrated) 3 times a year. Once in the spring after things have dried out a bit, again in the middle of summer then again in the fall before the snow comes. Every so often, I top it off with another bag or two of traction sand. If it helps, when I built my coop this past spring I started off putting twelve 50 lb bags in, which had cost me somewhere around $33. I added 3 more bags over the summer. It doesn't have to be very deep, maybe 2-3 inches. Come spring, I will probably top it off with another 3-6 bags depending. You never have to take it out of the run, you just have to rake the poop out of it...that's what makes it so easy.

 

[aart]

you just have to rake the poop out of it

My experience with sand showed me that you can never really get all the poop out.