What to Put on Floor of Run

[kjenks7]

Hi Everyone!

We are getting ready to move our chicks into their coop/run! Is there a certain type of dirt we should be placing inside the run? We were told dirt is the best option for the flooring as the hens like to bathe in it We are located in Orange County in Southern California.

Thank you!!

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Your coop is adorable! As for the run id use dirt or sand for dust bathes. We used linoleum to line the inside floor of our coop to facilitate cleaning and just cover it with pine bedding.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

View attachment 1388133 Hi Everyone!

We are getting ready to move our chicks into their coop/run! Is there a certain type of dirt we should be placing inside the run? We were told dirt is the best option for the flooring as the hens like to bathe in it We are located in Orange County in Southern California.

Thank you!!

We don’t put anything on the floor of the run. We let grass take it. We do have large metal Pails for dirt bathes though

 

[Ducksandchickens]

And your coop is awesome!

 

[lazy gardener]

I am a fan of deep litter. Leaves, grass clippings, AGED wood chips, spent coop litter, garden weeds, hay, and any other yard debris which would compost. The goal is to get that litter 6" deep. Studies show that chickens raised on deep litter have: Improved immune systems, improved feed conversion rates, decreased disease, improved viability, decreased issue with parasites. Deep litter also produces a run which is odor free, gives the birds plenty of dust bathing opportunities, never needs to be cleaned, though you can harvest plenty of rich black, sweet compost from the run for your gardens.

 

[PirateGirl]

I don't think you need to add any special dirt. Your ground looks good. The chickens will love digging it up. Depending on your climate and access to things like yard debris as @lazy gardener said, you could start deep litter. I will sometimes throw down some wood chips or pine shavings if we have a wet spell and it's a mud pit, but since your run is covered, that's likely a non-issue. If the ground gets really hard packed (depends your soil) I take a pick to it once in a great while and break it up. It helps mix things into the soil and it unearths worms and bugs for the chickens and they love it. Mine has a tendency to get hard packed and I'll give them a dust bath container from time to time as well if they can't dig their own. I'd turn them loose and see how it goes

 

[blackdog043]

I would recommend deep litter also. If you leave it just dirt, the poop will build up on top, compact and they will be living on a poop run. With deep litter, the poop will mix in, everything will decompose and you won't have much odor, if done right. All you have to do is add to it from time to time and if you or someone you know needs good compost you have it. Here's a good video on deep litter.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/muddy-run-help-please.1037998/#post-16017992

 

[blackdog043]

Here's my run after adding some new stuff before the chickens got to it. I forgot to mention, deep litter gives them something to dig in and take dust baths.

 

[kjenks7]

Thanks everyone for the help!!