Using pine shavings in the run???

[khable]

Hi all,

?? for you... we are starting to build our chicken coop and are thinking about the run area. My husband is worried that the run will become forever stinky!

He was thinking about using landscapers plastic or fabric and then putting the pine shavings over the it so it would be easy to clean out and keep fresh.

The area is going to be like 8 ft x 6 ft.

Is this a good idea??

or do you have any other reccomendations??

Thanks,

Kim

Mom to 6 Buff Orpington Chicks

 

[MarkR]

Don't worry about the plastic or fabric, they'll have it shredded in no time unless you have about two feet of shavings on top. You can use the shavings, but outside they'll fling it everywhere. I have a dirt pen (it was grass when they started, which lasted about a week). I throw a couple bales of hay down every month, and clean out the old (good in the compost pile). Shavings are great inside the coop, though. My coop, to borrow from another old saying, doesn't stink. And lest you think it's just me saying so, all my neighbors agree. Of course, I pay them of in eggs.

Mark

 

[allen wranch]

Put about a four inch layer of sand in the run and just use the shavings in the coop. The sand will keep the run from being sloppy when it rains and it is easy to rake out. If the shavings become damp and moldy, they can cause all kinds of problems.

 

[montverdechick]

I have twelve 8 week old pullets who are in the run all day. It's been that way since Easter. It hasn't smelled yet. I think all their scratching and the occasional ran shower have helped to mix their droppings in the soil. See how if goes for a week or two, I think with your small sized flock you will be ok without adding anything.

 

[khable]

Thanks for the advice!

If I were to do the sand, what kind of sand do I get. Regular play sand that you buy at home depot?

thanks again!

Kim

 

[allen wranch]

Yes, regular play sand. If you can get it at a stone yard or someplace else in bulk, it is usually cheaper than in the bags.