Will deep layers of pea gravel make good base for run?

[drumstick diva]

I have an area about 24 ft x 14 feet, with many layers of pea gravel from when I used to have dogs in the 70's. Every year I used to add several inches, so it has a deep base. - with clay fill underneath that. Drainage is great but it is very easy for any critter to dig holes thru it. Grass doesn't grow there but a ton of weeds sure do.Would this make a decent area for a chicken run or would the back yard be better. Our area of town has rocks everywhere, you can't plant a tulip bulb without the shovel scraping on rocks from baseball size to boulders that would have could have the ten commandments written on them. Most times when you excavate a boulder the ground level drops a foot, with no dirt to fill in, we'd just put them back and recover em. Drainage is good and digging is hard I guess unless you are a motivated predator.

Sure wish I kept the old dog runs -they were a good price even for back in the late 60's and heavy guage chainlink with one inch mesh that I sure don't find anywhere now.THanks for any suggestions or advice.

 

[arcatamarcia]

My run is 3 inches of pea gravel with 4 inches of sand over it. Your deep base would be even better. Just cover it with sand and you have the perfect run. The chickens will take care of the weeds.

 

[spiritdance]

Quote:
x2. And as for digging, you can lay your skirt out around the run and cover it rather than trenching it. I did this, then I also ran electric fencing around the run at the bottom and top. No predator problems since, and the pea gravel base is great for wet weather and odor control.

 

[RoseyCheeks]

Super glad to see this thread! I was considering putting my house & run on a bed of pea gravel.

Thanks!

 

[jettgirl24]

Pea gravel is awesome. Sand on top is preferable but I had just pea gravel in the run at my old house and it worked well too. I just sprayed it down once a week and everything would turn to liquid and flow through the rocks. Quick and easy!