What is the best thing to use for the floor of your run?

[HolyHenHouse]

5 of my chickens have recently gotten bumble foot, and I think that it is because I don't use any bedding in their run. If I dont figure something out I will have to move the whole coop and run!

 

[Justagalwithchicks]

5 of my chickens have recently gotten bumble foot, and I think that it is because I don't use any bedding in their run. If I dont figure something out I will have to move the whole coop and run!

Have you looked at their perch they roost on at night? Run your hand over it and makes sure there isn't any rough spots etc? I also have dealt with bumble foot, but only in my two original hens. Makes me wonder if some hens and or genetics are more susceptible than others. Any sharp edges in your run can cause it also. So concrete edges that are sharp or pokey.

 

[HolyHenHouse]

their roosts are mostly made of scrap wood but I have made sure that they are smooth and gentle on their feet. My white leghorns, and Sussex chickens got it the worst.

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

their roosts are mostly made of scrap wood but I have made sure that they are smooth and gentle on their feet. My white leghorns, and Sussex chickens got it the worst.

Do you know the distance between their roost to the ground? How much landing space do they have? Is there wire at the bottom of the run or what kind of ground is it?

 

[HolyHenHouse]

I kinda have a weird set up, I have a coop that is about 3.5 feet from the ground. my roosts are inside the coop and are not even two feet tall. I think the issue is no bedding in the run but im not sure...?

 

[Redhds]

Hi - We're having good results with a section of construction grade sand (6" deep) for the main "playpen" (aka enclosed, covered 9x9' pen) and med-large wood chips (4" deep) in a second area under an EgluPro coop where they roost at night. We have 8 chickens (born in April) and clean the sand 2-3x day (we're retired - haha). They're happy, growing and healthy girls so far. We found our first egg this week! It was olive green - likely from Easter Egger Jilly Bean. Can't imagine eating it - too precious!

 

[HolyHenHouse]

Hi - We're having good results with a section of construction grade sand (6" deep) for the main "playpen" (aka enclosed, covered 9x9' pen) and med-large wood chips (4" deep) in a second area under an EgluPro coop where they roost at night. We have 8 chickens (born in April) and clean the sand 2-3x day (we're retired - haha). They're happy, growing and healthy girls so far. We found our first egg this week! It was olive green - likely from Easter Egger Jilly Bean. Can't imagine eating it - too precious!

thank you!

 

[Mother of Chaos]

5 of my chickens have recently gotten bumble foot, and I think that it is because I don't use any bedding in their run. If I dont figure something out I will have to move the whole coop and run!

If you don't have bedding in your run (actually, it's litter in your run, and bedding in your coop), what do you have on the ground in your run? I'm kinda lost here.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Knowing your management preferences, soil type and what materials are available would help. For example I'm in a wet climate and have a lot of trees and plant material around so I use deep litter, mainly consisting of chunky wood chips for aeration and drainage, mixed with dried leaves/grass and garden trimmings. Poop composts in place which makes for good garden soil, though I choose to pick up surface poops which is optional.