What material should I use in coop and run?

[Mjvl]

My chicks are 6-7 weeks old and I’ve been getting them used to being outside over the past 2 weeks. I plan to move them to their coop which has a built-in run. I’ve read tons of articles on this site and watched tons of videos but I’m not sure what is the best material to put in the coop and/or run.

For the coop - I was thinking of using Hemp
- Do I need to add PDZ and/or DE to the Hemp?

For the run - Right now it’s grass, but it will be gone once the girls are there full time
- What should I use in the run to keep it from getting muddy, good drainage, and keeping the smell down?

Any recommendations are appreciated.

 

[45lk9p459gm-w]

We are planning to use the bedding that comes out of the coop and shredded leaves. My run is just now at the "just dirt" stage and we will do our first full coop bedding exchange in Oct.

 

[DobieLover]

Hemp is great in the coop. I use that and/or pine shavings.
I keep a thick layer of wood chips in the run. The chickens do a decent job of turning it over but there are some spots I will turn about once a month.
I've never removed anything from the run.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Hemp is great in the coop. I use that and/or pine shavings.
I keep a thick layer of wood chips in the run. The chickens do a decent job of turning it over but there are some spots I will turn about once a month.
I've never removed anything from the run.
View attachment 2827676

DobieLover, What is the size of your run? I love its design. So dry and clean too

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

I use Hemp in my coop since early June. Its about 4-6 inches deep. I have not experienced any smells or issues in the 4 months i've had it. I do turn the top layer once a day. I think it does a great job of drying out the poop and keeping smells down. I do not add any type of product for bugs but I do add dried lavender and mints that I grow. Before the winter here in CT I will add about 1 inch of Hemp. It just seems like a good idea with the cold weather coming. There may be days I cant make it out there to turn it.

 

[Mjvl]

Hemp is great in the coop. I use that and/or pine shavings.
I keep a thick layer of wood chips in the run. The chickens do a decent job of turning it over but there are some spots I will turn about once a month.
I've never removed anything from the run.
View attachment 2827676

Hemp is great in the coop. I use that and/or pine shavings.
I keep a thick layer of wood chips in the run. The chickens do a decent job of turning it over but there are some spots I will turn about once a month.
I've never removed anything from the run.
View attachment 2827676

Wow! You’re run is awesome! Will definitely keep this in my ‘idea’ book for future coop/run endeavor.

 

[Mjvl]

I use Hemp in my coop since early June. Its about 4-6 inches deep. I have not experienced any smells or issues in the 4 months i've had it. I do turn the top layer once a day. I think it does a great job of drying out the poop and keeping smells down. I do not add any type of product for bugs but I do add dried lavender and mints that I grow. Before the winter here in CT I will add about 1 inch of Hemp. It just seems like a good idea with the cold weather coming. There may be days I cant make it out there to turn it.

Thanks for the information.
Do you scoop out the poop or just turn the top layer?
What do you use in your run?
Thanks

 

[DobieLover]

DobieLover, What is the size of your run? I love its design. So dry and clean too

It's 28' x 12' with an 8' x 16' annex in the back divided between the dust bath area and the maternity ward run.
The flock spends most of their time out in their pen and only use the run while waiting for me to let them out, in winter when there is too much snow on the ground for them, during heavy rain and when they come in to eat and get a drink.
This is the pen.

 

[3KillerBs]

In the coop I use large-flake shavings mostly, mixed with a little pine straw or straw from time to time.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/using-deep-bedding-in-a-small-coop.76343/

The current run is mostly pine straw because I have to put it back to grass once the chickens move to their new coop. I'll be using pine straw and coarse wood chips there.

 

[EIEIO Funny Farm]

Hemp is great in the coop. I use that and/or pine shavings.
I keep a thick layer of wood chips in the run. The chickens do a decent job of turning it over but there are some spots I will turn about once a month.
I've never removed anything from the run.
View attachment 2827676

What a great run — lots of interest.
Where can I find hemp?