Uncovered run floor covering

[Kanekoded]

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

I'm not sure of your method in removing it. It's like saying you can't scoop all of the poop out of a little box. The poop doesn't soak into the sand rather, it gets covered in sand and forms clumps - that's what makes it super easy to rake out and I've had no issues getting it all out. It's also why I periodically need to replenish some of the sand - because I'm tossing out whatever sticks to the poop.

Traction sand is about 3 parts sand to 1 part gravel (small various sizes of gravel) it's not a super fine sand. What type of sand were you using?

 

[FC16]

Thank you everyone that helped got the wood chip today and emptied it into their run, after spreading it all out it just about covered. Probably could have done with a couple more bags but it’s good enough for now, I made it deeper in the area that was worst in the rain.

I’ve posted a picture of what it looked like before and some pictures of what it now looks like, the chickens seem to love it

 

[Krugerrand]

In the future, you can just dump it in a couple piles. The chickens will spread it out themselves. It's really quite amazing.

 

[SmiYa0126]

In the future, you can just dump it in a couple piles. The chickens will spread it out themselves. It's really quite amazing.

Yeah, they run over to it and start spreading it around, it cracks me up

 

[3KillerBs]

Probably could have done with a couple more bags but it’s good enough for now, I made it deeper in the area that was worst in the rain.

Multiple thinner layers seems to work better than one deep layer most of the time.

 

[KimsNest]

I’m looking for recommendations as my run is getting a bit out of hand.
My chickens have lived at the back of my garden in their run for almost a year now. The run has always had a dirt flooring which was fine at first, but now it’s winter it’s getting rained on a lot and it’s very messy and their feet are constantly getting muddy.
I felt bad so started giving them some time in the main garden on the grass which they love, and I probably shouldn’t have as they now really don’t like the run. Whenever I come to the run they think I’m letting them out and get annoyed when I don’t
I was thinking maybe I could roll some turf out in the run, but they’d probably just eat the grass within weeks and would Be back to mud again.
I think it’s best for me to avoid straw/shavings as that would probably be a nightmare too.
I’m not really able to cover the run as it would be really difficult, so trying to look for some good alternatives.
If anyone has any recommendations of something that’s good for being rained on, and that they can still enjoy scratching around in

I’ve attached a picture of the run, it only shows the front but it’s the only one I have saved.

I’ve always wanted to try the rubber wood chips like at playgrounds but I’m sure it’s a pretty Penny. I use hay. Smells nice, just doesn’t last forever in the rain.

 

[3KillerBs]

I’ve always wanted to try the rubber wood chips like at playgrounds but I’m sure it’s a pretty Penny. I use hay. Smells nice, just doesn’t last forever in the rain.

I wouldn't want to use anything that wasn't biodegradable in a chicken run. The reason deep litter works is that the composting action neutralizes the poop.

 

[Krugerrand]

I’ve always wanted to try the rubber wood chips like at playgrounds but I’m sure it’s a pretty Penny. I use hay. Smells nice, just doesn’t last forever in the rain.

Imagine if you took a big pile of wet sloppy chicken poop then mixed in the rubber wood chips. That's pretty much what you'd eventually be left with. Much like gravel makes for a poor run material as the chicken poop just settles into it and never goes away.

 

[KimsNest]

Imagine if you took a big pile of wet sloppy chicken poop then mixed in the rubber wood chips. That's pretty much what you'd eventually be left with. Much like gravel makes for a poor run material as the chicken poop just settles into it and never goes away.

Oh geez…I can smell it now.
Yeah, not my best idea. Not my worst either HA

 

[boomercd]

We did a base of pea gravel with wood chips on top works good for us in soggy Ohio