What would be the Best ground cover for a chicken run

[Humhill]

Quote:
OMG... I've so been thinking about a llama.....

I intend to get a truck load or two of sand for my runs. I'm thinking I need to put it down before I put the fencing up. That way I can get it straight off the truck. Even if I pile it in the center and spread it after the fence is up, it'd still be easier.

 

[JimWWhite]

Sand, Sand, and more Sand. And if you're not sure you have enough, add more sand. When I built my current run which is an old carport I enclosed with chicken wire and a gate and moved the coop into it, I decided to use sand. We had such a bad time with mud everywhere with the old run. First I layed down a base of 2 inches of what they call Crush 'n Run here in NC. It sells for about $10/ton locally. It's just small gravel and sand they use on dirt roads. Then on top of that I layed down 3 inches of course creek sand which is just a cheap sand that all the supply yards sell for about $15/ton. My run is 22'x18' so it took about 4 tons. We finished it a day before Tropical Storm Ida blew though here last October and it rained and rained 4 days straight without letup. During this I went down to the run to get eggs one day and there were the Gals all enjoying a lovely dust bath in the middle of a drenching downpour. We had mud everywhere except in the run. My Gals' tootsies were nice and dry. So, I'm sold on sand. I usually go out about every other day or so and use a sharp pointed hoe to turn the sand up and the poop in so it'll rot. I was going to take out the top inch this spring and replace it and use what I took out on the garden. That didn't get done but it will this fall. By that time the sand should be full of good nutrients for planting.

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
OMG... I've so been thinking about a llama.....
.

Not to hijack the thread, but last night I watched an Animal Planet program, Houston Animal Cops or some such thing, with some baby goats (never mind the story line) and I started thinking, "Goats? Would they eat the thistles in the back forty? They're awfully cute!!!!"

I already have the chickens and ducks......

Back to the thread - I am about convinced I am going to have to figure out a way to get a few tons of sand into my back yard for the chicken run. Getting hard to scrape the chicken poo off the adobe clay that's as hard as dinosaur bones.

 

[gallinamama]

Quote:
OMG... I've so been thinking about a llama.....
.

Not to hijack the thread, but last night I watched an Animal Planet program, Houston Animal Cops or some such thing, with some baby goats (never mind the story line) and I started thinking, "Goats? Would they eat the thistles in the back forty? They're awfully cute!!!!"

I already have the chickens and ducks......

Back to the thread - I am about convinced I am going to have to figure out a way to get a few tons of sand into my back yard for the chicken run. Getting hard to scrape the chicken poo off the adobe clay that's as hard as dinosaur bones.

Hello,

I think I will do the sand thing too.. when we first moved here we had a cat... my husband is not an animal person so the cat was out in our garage... but now to think of it.. the sand and kittylitter shovel is a good idea.. but I think I will need a bigger shovel What do you do about a family that is laughing and joking about having chickens?

I just don't know what to do... they all think I am off my rocker...

I don't recieve too much help with my husband. he says this is my (problem)... I don't care it is just I don't like everyone making fun of my chickens.. they laugh and say I talk like they are my children... I don't think I have lost my marbles

 

[Imp]

Just a quick tip. For the larger kitty litter scoop. I bought a feed scoop from the feed store, about $3. then I took an electric drill with a 1/4 inch bit and drilled about a million holes in it. Very sturdy & works great.

Imp-Of course I'm exaggerating about the million holes, maybe 1/2 million.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Plain ol' North Carolina red dirt. Mother nature takes care of the clean up of the run.

 

[henkitty]

My 2 Indian Runner ducks have lived happily with my 6 hens for a couple of years. I kept them separate for a few weeks until they had grown and got used to each other. They now have their own nest box on the ground in the hen house and share the chicken food. Had no problems with them living together as they have a bit of space. Indian runners are paddlers rather than swimmers so do not require water deep enough to be a risk to the hens. Beware though, ducks are great fun but make a lot of mud!! Struggle to keep the house and run dry in the winter.

 

[Folly's place]

Sand and daily scooping seems to go together here. I'm not a fan; deep litter and clean out to the garden two or three (MAX!) times per year, so much easier. Mary

 

[ChickNanny13]

It rains a lot here (Hilo, HI) and my yard does puddle when it rains for days. Pullets (2 RIRs & 2 EEs; 12wks) are sleep in their coop that's in my patio. In the mornings they stay in the mobile run which I move every 2 - 3 days, late mornings I let them out to grub the yard & they return to their coop for bedtime. Hubby will be building a 8 x 12 walk - in run (with roof) on the high ground that is grassy but I know it won't be for very long. We plan on draping sun shade over the wire to help prevent the rain from getting in, allowing ventilation. Even thought of hanging shower curtains, I'd close when we have our rain storms (get a lot). The area is also protected on 3 sides with shrubbery, their house (plastic) will be raised off the ground. I was sold on the sand until I read up about DLM now undecided

Playground sand I can find at Walmart but read not the best to use, that Construction Sand (courser) on top of gravel is the best drainage. Playground sand would be easy to use a kitty scoop for poop but Construction Sand, I'm not sure. We'd have to get it from the gravel yard, renting a truck & hauling by wheel barrow to the backyard.

Pine shavings & grass clippings for DLM, told hay although some say straw (?), would be easier to purchase at the feed store & transport. The "old" stuff I'd put around my surrounding plants. Thinking out loud leaning toward DLM, again, maybe start off with DLM and if it don't work go to sand? I know it's all preference but just sounding out for any other arguments.

All the advice & information on this site is ever so helpful

 

[Folly's place]

I'm all for low maintenance, so the deep litter. Having horses, where the bedding of choice was straw, then the switch to shavings, showed which is easier! Some hay or straw for the nest boxes, and into the litter, is fine, but all straw is much harder to manage as bedding. Mary