When the grass is GONE

[mommto3kiddos]

So when your chickens clear out your grass in their run, what do you put down?? Hay, Straw, Shavings or just leave it dirt & mud...
- Just planning ahead
Thanks

 

[patandchickens]

Check out my 'fixing a muddy run' page, link in .sig below, which is all about exactly that

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[vstoltzfus]

Good question! Mine has been mud for the past 2 years, which is why I am now planning a paddock system (a 50' x 60' run with 3 separate sections that I can rotate my hens on). Lots of people lay down straw, though.

 

[zazouse]

I free range but i do not have grass where the flocks eat,sleep and nest so if it is going to rain i go into my woods and rake up a bunch of leaves and put them in that area, the chickens love them and it helps keep them clean till things dry out.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

A mix of pine needles and leaves work great. I just dump the stuff in their run in a big pile, toss a handful of BOSS on top and let them spread it all around. Keeps them busy for days. And really offers nice protection from the mud.

 

[mommto3kiddos]

Never thought about pine needles. My father has a bunch of pine trees in his yard. I think he will be getting regular lawn removal service now

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I went with sand in the run section next to the coop that was muddy. I have trouble keeping anything growing at that end.

 

[jettgirl24]

I think it probably depends on where you live and how much it rains. The leaves are a great idea for places that get a break between rain days. If I had to put leaves in every time it rained I'd have to quite my job to gather them every day

In a climate like Seattle (where I live) it was worth it for me to put down permanent mud-free footing. Right now I have pea gravel and it has worked great. Just spray it down and rake it to clean. At our new house the run will be built over an area that is crushed gravel. I'm going to put a few inches of sand over that because it'll be easier to clean and I assume the chickies will like it better than the rough crushed gravel which seems like it'd be hard on their feet.