What’s best for the run floor

[Leov]

Hi there, was using chips on the floor of the run. 2 months after first putting it down, depending how the wind blows, you could smell the run a bit to strong. I have 6 birds. Eggs to come either late aug. to early sept. We’ll see how the girls feel about that! Anyway, yesterday I decided to completely clean out the run floor. Also, swapped out the shavings where they roost at night for sand. ( much easier to clean) plus I anticipated using the shavings in their nest boxes-(2) ( which I’m in the process of assembling. Anyway, can the floor stay as dirt? Put more wood ships down?
-what about dried leaves that have been shredded?
Would love any thoughts. Run is 10x12ft.
thanks in advance

 

[azure_]

I don't have a run floor the most nutrient "bedding" is the soil that was there.

 

[3KillerBs]

I use the Deep Litter Method. You can find many threads discussing this.

If you had an odor with the chips after 2 months of the same chips that had never been cleaned out it is because you needed to add more of them.

 

[aart]

was using chips on the floor of the run.

What kind of chips?
The shavings meant for use inside the coop don't work real well in a run.
Is there good drainage in the run?
Pics of your run would help here.


You need BIG wood chips, and some other dry plant material.
Not good for making garden soil, but will keep the odors nearly non detectable.

 

[Leov]

That’s exactly what I was using. I got it from the town. I now cleaned it all out. Someone else was saying that the dirt on the floor is ok as well.
thank you still for the response.
The shavings, I was using in the coop where they slept. That’s now been cleared out as well and I put coarse sand with a small mix of dry used coffee grains. I’ve decided to use the last month or so for them to hopefully forget about the shavings as I’d like to use it where they will be laying eggs. Hopefully, that will work for now. I see that there’s a million ways to do this. I am not one for taking shortcuts but am always looking to learn what others are doing or have done. Thanks again!

 

[paintedChix]

Wood chips and still smelling? Needed more carbon (chips) to balance out the nitrogen (feces).

I actually don't have pics of our coops with wood chips. Need to add a bunch to a coop tomorrow... Maybe I will remember.

I've used lots of stuff - to include shredded bills/junk mail/cardboard and paper; pine straw, weeds, grass clippings (we don't treat our yard)...

DLM

I LOVE the ramial chips that Aart gets. Wish I could source those. Happy with these for now - though this isn't in our coops, its in our front yard and still getting used ... The free ranging bantams do LOVE it, LOL.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Chunky wood chips are great for drainage, but adding other organic matter really helps with the composting action needed to break down and absorb poop. Toss in other materials such as dried leaves, dried grass, weed clumps, garden trimmings... they'll break down nicely and the chickens will enjoy digging through them as well, which further helps churn up the litter.

 

[aart]

That’s exactly what I was using. I got it from the town. I now cleaned it all out.

How big is your run?
Dimensions and pics would help here.