Whats best for the run

[Corrdun]

Just been keeping chickens for a few weeks. We have 5 chucks all at point of lay Legbar and Leghorn.

they have there little coop which is raised of the ground 24"

Under the coop I have put a raised bed just has soil in it that they seem to lovely playing in.

There run/pen is 8' x 6' is this enough room they do get let out of the pen sometimes when we're around.
On the ground we've put pine wood chip about 6" to 10".

Is this the best way and are there better choices.

It all seems ok at the mo but was thinking longer turn for clean and that sort of thing.

 

[chfite]

Pine shavings or wood chips might become messy and difficult to manage when wet. I don't know how much rain you get, but it would soon be a mess here in South Carolina. The popular material for the run is sand. It drains, so there are no puddles or standing water. It is easy to clean, as needed. The chickens will keep it turned over in the normal course of scratching, so that the poop is constantly being recycled. I added 4 - 6 inches of sand to my run, and made it much nicer for all the above reasons.

Chris