Wet, Muddy coop.. idea's?

[Daisy668]

It's been really wet here so my chicken pen that is about 6m by 5m ish for 5 chickens is liquid mud! It's horrible and the chickens don't like it either. What's good to put down?
Apparently sand is but i'm not sure about that it's not really very chickeny if that makes sense!

Thanks. Daisy. xx

 

[Hawkeye95]

if it's really that muddy that it is mush, I would lay down a gravel base of 1" rock first and then put down the sand over the top to fully cover the gravel. Then you will have better drainage, too! The gravel will act as a great base for the water to run down through. The sand will pack down into the rock and you'll need to put enough down that it covers well. There isn't much you can do if you have a low spot where the run is and water sits in it, but put down gravel and sand.

ETA: **oh- before laying down the gravel, I'd dig out as much of the mud as you can to put your gravel base down on.

 

[Erin~TheChickenLover]

If it is really wet where you are, first, put down a layer of small gravel. After the gravel is down, then put sand. I know you would not think chickens would like sand, but they really actually do! They enjoy dusting in it and it is more sanitary than something like hay that decays.

 

[Erin~TheChickenLover]

Quote:
x2 sorry hawkeye I did not see your post

 

[Judy]

an excellent writeup on this:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run

 

[Daisy668]

thanks. yeah i wasn't sure about sand for chickens but i'll try it. i use to put bark chippings down but they got too expensive

thanks. Daisy. xx

 

[laughing man]

sweet, i have the same issue

!! thank you!

 

[Daisy668]

Thank ddawn

 

[hennyannie]

Quote:
We had several storms recently that put down over 3 inches of rain in less than an hour, I had a huge problem.
I finallly had my DH go and get a load of creek sand. I put the stuff down on top of the mud, as the mud was in no hurry to dry up.
Now problem solved, and the hens love the stuff. Only thing was it is hotter on the feet I think than plain dirt.
I went to Lowes and got them a Patio Mister for them.

 

[Daisy668]

Its good to know chickens like sand i just didn't think they would..
Thanks.
Daisy. xx