What do you use in your run on red clay

[Lexie27]

We haven’t started building yet, it will be a 16’x10’ run under cover, at a slight slope (less than 4” in 16’ if I remember what my husband said correctly).
We are planning 8 inch concrete blocks sub surface.
The existing soil is red clay. What should we use for run material?
Should we use crushed run graduated to pea gravel to sand?
Really not fans of DLM, I’m home, and as first time chicken owner will be hanging with the bird herd a lot.
ETA: I couldn’t find a similar thread on a Quick Look through, so if you know of one, feel free to point me in that direction.

Please advise, and thank you.

Appreciate y’all.

 

[DobieLover]

Should we use crushed run graduated to pea gravel to sand?

Not this. The chickens have an instinct to dig and scratch and they should have organic substrate to do that in.

I would put down a layer of dry organic material. A mix of different items will work. Pine needs, dry leaves, wood chips, etc. The poop will cold compost in the run and you rarely have to remove anything.

My current run is coming up on 6 years old and I have yet to remove anything from it. I have added a truck load of wood chips three times after the initial loads.

 

[Lexie27]

Not this. The chickens have an instinct to dig and scratch and they should have organic substrate to do that in.

I would put down a layer of dry organic material. A mix of different items will work. Pine needs, dry leaves, wood chips, etc. The poop will cold compost in the run and you rarely have to remove anything.

My current run is coming up on 6 years old and I have yet to remove anything from it. I have added a truck load of wood chips three times after the initial loads.

Thank you, it sounds counterintuitive to make a run that will trap stuff in.

 

[DobieLover]

Thank you, it sounds counterintuitive to make a run that will trap stuff in.

The 'stuff' decomposes and breaks down to form compost/soil. It happens everywhere there is dead organic matter.

 

[Lexie27]

The 'stuff' decomposes and breaks down to form compost/soil. It happens everywhere there is dead organic matter.

So sand yes? On top of clay?

The 'stuff' decomposes and breaks down to form compost/soil. It happens everywhere there is dead organic matter.

So yes to sand on top of clay, but no rock of any sort or size?
I’m sorry I don’t know what happened here, sorry for repeating myself question mark lol

 

[DobieLover]

So sand yes? On top of clay?

Sand won't break down. And when it gets wet it tends to stink.

 

[Lexie27]

Sand won't break down. And when it gets wet it tends to stink.

So just organic material on the clay.

 

[DobieLover]

So just organic material on the clay.

Yes. That's what I do. I'm on hardpan clay. It works very well.

 

[Lexie27]

Yes. That's what I do. I'm on hardpan clay. It works very well.

That makes sense to me, thank you for your time and care.

 

[ChaosMom]

That makes sense to me, thank you for your time and care.

If you’re able to work up your clay at all, even a few inches, that decomposing organic matter will add humus to the clay and release the clay’s fertility (by improving the soil structure.)