Wet/Muddy run, what could I do?

[OrloffTom]

It's been raining pretty regular this past week and some places in my run are getting muddy. I know that adding sand would help the drainage and it not be so muddy but what type of sand do I need to get? bagged play sand? Or is there something else I could do? I'm going out later and was gonna head by the store to get a few things so I was gonna get something to help with that bud I wasn't sure what to get. Thanks in advance!

 

[birdicus7]

I would stick to a coarser construction type sand. Plus it'll give you and endless supply of grit...

 

[OrloffTom]

I wonder if they sell that at the hard ware store (Lowes) or I would have to get that some where else?

 

[BankerJohn]

you can get contractor grade sand from a Big Box store or contact a local quarry, if there is one in your yellow pages. A quarry is MUCH less expensive and may have delivery capabilities contracted thru a local hauler.

You will want to get enough to cover with at least 2 inches to allow for percolation/drainage. If you really want to do things right, consider a 2 inch layer of 1/4 - 1/2 inch rock covered with landscape cloth the topped with 2 inches of sand. This method will act like a french drain and will keep things VERY DRY.

The rock and sand cost total less than $35 for a 6" layer inside a 16X7 area.

 

[willheveland]

Quote:
If you have a truck you can go to a gravel pit and buy it by the ton for about $7.-10. per ton. That's how I get mine. Will

 

[OrloffTom]

@BankerJohn, that's a pretty sweet setup you have there! I'll look today and just see what they have. That may be something that I will do in the near future. I'm hoping to get a new job soon and it will bring in a good bit of extra money to do some more improvements to my run!
@Will, unfortunately I don't have a truck and there are a few quarries around so that could be something that I get my neighbor to help me with

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[Ridgerunner]

I agree with adding sand. I've had better luck at construction materials stores as opposed to the big box stores. Usually a better selection. You might want to check out this site. Pat has some pretty good ideas about muddy runs.

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

 

[OrloffTom]

Thanks Ridgerunner I sure will check out that thread

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[elmo]

You can buy bagged sand at Lowes and Home Depot; I've tried both. I use the "all purpose" sand (rather than play sand), and at least in my area, I like the product they sell at Home Depot. Their all purpose sand is coarser and more what I want than the product Lowes sells.

For those of us without trucks, it's handy to be able to buy sand a couple of bags at a time.

 

[willheveland]

Quote:
Your exactly right, just seems a shame to spend the same on 2 bags(100 lbs) as you would 1 ton (2000 lbs) in the case if she had access to a pick-up. 2 bags of sand doesn't go very far. Will