What's in your run?

[Mamato6]

Hey all! Our coop and run is on dirt. All we have is dirt or rocks (didn't completely realize the ground quality when we bought the land because it was literally all trees. )
Anyhow, the coop I know how to maintain, I do the deep litter method but may switch to river rock (not completely sure about that though because I love the way it smells with fresh pine shavings) but the run, I don't know what to do with. I have 6 new chickens (4 pullet chicks between 2-3 months, 1 five - six month old Roo and 1 1.5 yr old hen) that stay near the coop and are in and out all day and I keep all 15 in there until around 12 (don't know why 12, that's just what I've always done since I started letting them free range) but the ground in the run is gettinf gross and contributing to the stink when the coop needs a fresh layer or to be emptied. I don't want to completely cover it with something because they still like to dig around in there to look for bugs. I feel like I'm at a loss

 

[rjohns39]

Hey all! Our coop and run is on dirt. All we have is dirt or rocks (didn't completely realize the ground quality when we bought the land because it was literally all trees. )
Anyhow, the coop I know how to maintain, I do the deep litter method but may switch to river rock (not completely sure about that though because I love the way it smells with fresh pine shavings) but the run, I don't know what to do with. I have 6 new chickens (4 pullet chicks between 2-3 months, 1 five - six month old Roo and 1 1.5 yr old hen) that stay near the coop and are in and out all day and I keep all 15 in there until around 12 (don't know why 12, that's just what I've always done since I started letting them free range) but the ground in the run is gettinf gross and contributing to the stink when the coop needs a fresh layer or to be emptied. I don't want to completely cover it with something because they still like to dig around in there to look for bugs. I feel like I'm at a loss

You can use the deep litter method in the run as well. In your situation, I'd probably use saw dust, which the birds would turn into a wonderful compost in no time.

 

[aart]

You can use the deep litter method in the run as well.

Same here.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I have deep litter in the run..... love it!

 

[Chickassan]

In the fall you can cheat and use leaves. They're free and you get some good stuff for your garden later.

 

[User395221]

If my run seems a bit too wet or "not right", I just chuck in some more bark chips. They help drainage, and bugs like them.

 

[hlhutchinson]

We have gravel, then a 4x4 section that's is sand intended for them to have a dust bath but they have found spots out side when they free range. Maybe when winter hits they will use it