VERY muddy run, please help

[aart]

Someone asked for pictures so here they are. I have added a pic of the run without ducks which is far less muddy.

How long will it takes for that to drain off?
Was pic taken after an unusually heavy rain?
Doesn't look too bad......deep litter would handle it.

 

[J&Kfeatheredfowl]

How long will it takes for that to drain off?
Was pic taken after an unusually heavy rain?
Doesn't look too bad......deep litter would handle it.

Isn’t too bad?? Oh, I though it was haha! It certain places the birds even appear to sink down when walking. It has been quite wet and cold recently.

 

[lazy gardener]

Is your ground frozen? If that were my run, I'd be converting it to deep litter. This time of the year, it's hard to get materials, but as the weather warms up, and more natural materials become available, you should be able to correct the issue over the summer. Things to add: bedding from your coop, grass clippings, hay, straw, garden debris, dry leaves, aged wood chips. Your goal: make a mix of materials that is at least 6" deep. Every now and then, toss a bit of scratch onto the DL. The flock will spend hours churning up the DL. It will absorb the moisture from rain storms, as well as keeping it from turning into a fecal dust bowl when the weather is dry. If you can cover part of the run to help shed rain, that will help also.

 

[pennyJo1960]

still a bit of work on your part lots of shavings will also help just please do something as the others have said

 

[J&Kfeatheredfowl]

Thanks for the response, no the ground is not frozen it’s cold but not cold enough for it to freeze, just lots of rain.

 

[J&Kfeatheredfowl]

However will this help with the ducks splashing around outside. Should we add some slightly deeper litter around their pool?

 

[lazy gardener]

I would separate the duck's area from the chicken's area. Chickens and wet ground is a recipe for coccidiosis, and internal parasites.

 

[CCUK]

Try maplebeck tree care. They sell seasoned woodchip and do free local delivery.

 

[J&Kfeatheredfowl]

However will this help with the ducks splashing around outside. Should we add some slightly deeper litter around their pool?

 

[Angela Thomson]

My run is a compete mess! It's been raining cats and dogs here in Southern Indiana!