What surface cover to use

[whatdacluck]

I think I'm in the right section here, if not adm please feel free to move the topic.

I have an 12 ft x 7ft run with no roof and the ground is bare with no grass.
When it rains it gets muddy. I had thought of covering it with wood-chip, however I saw someone had sand
on theirs and thought that might be better.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.

Pat

 

[ducks4you]

First,

!
The first opportunity you have to send a PM to patandchickens, you'll get some great advice. She has literally studied this. Without pictures or a further explanation, it's a little hard to give usable advice, so I'll ask some questions.
--Is the run in a low-lying area?
--Does your soil absorb rainwater, or is clayish?
--Is there a lot of shade where the run is located?
--Do you have a coop or building that has a dry floor?

 

[elmo]

I have sand in our runs and I love it.

 

[whatdacluck]

Quote:
Thanks for the reply.

in answer to your questions...
1... No
2...clayish
3... sun most of the day
4... yes

Thanks.

Pat

 

[ducks4you]

Sand will make a big difference. With 84 sq. ft., I think about 14 fifty-pound bags of sand, or it's equivalent, would cover it nicely. The birds will also ingest some of the sand as grit, so that their gizzards can grind up ANYTHING they eat besides chicken crumbles, so it's a win-win.

 

[grandmaof5]

Definitely sand; you won't regret it.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
If he lives in the desert he would. Sand gets incredibly hot. It would be good to know what his climate is exactly before making an accurate determination.

 

[IonaFarm]

Does it make a difference with the type of sand used? Play vs course construction type?

 

[whatdacluck]

I live in Ireland so we are in summer season now. I have no roof on the pen, just wire to protect from predators and the ground gets pretty mucky. I think the sand might be better for them?????

 

[Mahonri]

Ireland: SAND!