What to put on ground of chicken run?

[chickbliss7]

I'm currently building a second chicken run, and am wondering if anyone can suggest a ground material to use, other than straw (which we have in the first pen) or wood shavings? The wood shavings would blow away, since we live on a windy hill, and I worry about mold in the straw, a problem in the winter here. Is there anyone out there who has found the perfect run material?

 

[Country Heart]

Thanks so much for asking this question - I was wondering the exact same thing.

I have consulted quite a few books, but none of them seem to agree on what's best.

I'm going to subscribe to this listing to hopefully get some insight from the folks who really know what works.

 

[grandmaof5]

Well, while you're waiting for an answer from people in the know, I'll just pop in and say that we're planning on sand..

 

[Suburban chick farmer 09]

sand.

 

[ivan3]

Yes, sand. And more sand. If the coops are under the trees or you have `exploding' (molting) turkeys it makes clean up very easy.

 

[Quillgirl]

I have a mixture of sand, peat moss, wood shavings, and dirt. Sand and peat moss seem to make the biggest difference.

 

[Amethyste]

I have dirt <from what used to have grass /sigh>, then a good layer of lime and sand, then DE, then I have wood chips...the medium landscaping bark. Drains really nicely! And it breaks down by end of the rainy season so there a lot of yummy bugs there too

In the winter tho I throw in peat moss over the top to a) help with drainage and b) keep thier feet from touching the iced over run

In the fall, I have my husband throw in all the old leaves off the trees for the birds to destroy and tear up. It seems to work great!

But the wood bark is great...no instances of splinters or anything...I got the idea from a friend who has aviaries, plus a few people here on the boards.

 

[Country Heart]

Where do you go to get wood shavings? Is it something that the feed store would have?

 

[chickbliss7]

Yes, my feed store sells wood shavings by American Wood Fibers in compressed bags of 5 and 8 cubic feet. One of each covers my 8' x 10' coop when I clean it out completely.

Sand it is! Thank you for your suggestions about floor coverings for pens. And perhaps some peat moss--what does this add--aeration?

 

[chickendude]

Quote:
Do you use powdered lime? That sounds like it may help with the smell.