What should I use for the floors of my run?

[Miizki]

I live in a very hot dry climate. Will sand be an ok bedding for my coop and run? I was was thinking either sand or pea gravel for my bantams. I don't want it to get too hot for them though. Will it be safe and a good and easy bedding for them? Maybe a mixture of sand and pea gravel?

 

[chicksnchooks]

That's a great question...I haven't received my chicks yet and have no idea what kind of floor to make it on...

 

[city kid farm]

Newbie here. We are currently building our run and wondering what to put down. I like the idea of sand, but does anyone know about cleaning it after several chickens have been running around in it?

 

[omelet du fromage]

Sand is definitely the way to go.

 

[BankerJohn]

If you are wondering what to put on the floor of your pen, take a moment and think ahead. Will a bare dirt floor trap moisture leading to foul smells and breeding grounds for bacteria & virus?

Line the floor with small rock (1/4" screened from a local quarry) to a depth of 3-6 inches (depth depends on current soil drainage). Top the rock with landscape fabric. Then spread 3-4 inches of sand (again from a local quarry or garden store).

Moisture will immediately be wicked away from the floor to the rock subfloor. DRY Floors. Poop will dehydrate very quickly. Sand will provide an endless supply of grit. Any food particle (pellet, crumbles, mash, etc) will all stay on top of the sand and the birds will peck the food that spills/overflows from the feeder. The sand floor will be very easy to keep clean (think kitty litter rake & scoop). Smells will be virtually non-existent. Smells come from bacteria that needs moisture to breed. Less bugs; the birds will roll in the sand to keep mites, fleas, etc away. Most bugs need moisture to thrive - again, moisture will be pulled away from the surface.

Many folks have different opinions on what to do with the floor of a run/pen. For me, I would have it no other way that with a sand floor.

 

[Miizki]

BankerJohn- that's a really good idea! I do have problems with moisture and gnats. I will definitely try this!

 

[Bec]

The small stones won't hurt their feet when they walk on them all the time? I love the idea of small stones like that!

 

[sune42]

What kind of sand do you use Banker John?

 

[BankerJohn]

I use the white sand that came from a local quarry. You could look in the phone book for a local quarry or landscape yard with rock/mulch in bulk; they may have some too. I wanted something that had little to no clay in the sand.

 

[sune42]

Quote:
Ok, thanks.