Chicken run ground cover.

[Mamie Joy]

I am getting 4 hens in a few weeks. I have cleared a good patch of the back garden and built a chicken run. The ground is now bare soil with quite a frew stones. Should I now put something on the ground over the soil? Such as sand, or chipped bark? Which is best? All advice most welcome as I really want the best for the wellbeing of my soon-to-be lodgers!

 

[SoCha]

Hello, I have 4 chickens too (2 old, 2 young). We have put grass in the run but they ate it before the grass even had time to grow. Do your chickens free run (or will they)?

 

[Mamie Joy]

We have an old dog and 2 old cats - I don't know how they will react to the new arrivals so until we are confident they won't be bothered, the chicken will not be let out of their run (4m x 1.5m) Plenty of space for them in there. I won't put grass in it - as you say, it won't last 5 minutes!

 

[SoCha]

For the run I would say sand, with pebbles/crushed stone. They will probably eat the stones but don't worry it's good for them. And a dust bath for them would be good too, for the dust bath just mix together crushed stone, dust, diatomaceous earth and wood ash. Make sure they have a place where rain can't get to them because mine go outside even when it's raining, and hide under the house so they wouldn't get wet. I would also consider letting them free range, if not you can give them vegetable and fruits so they get their vitamins, and the eggs (if they're for eggs?) would taste better. Hope this helps!

 

[Mamie Joy]

All sounds like good advice - thanks!

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I use straw on part of my run, the dirt on the other. We throw our grass clippings in there too, since the chickens love eating them and going through them...

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

IMO coarse sand will be the easiest to keep clean.

 

[Mamie Joy]

Thanks all. I like the idea of the grass clippings thrown in. Also moving towards the idea of getting sand too.

 

[aart]

I am getting 4 hens in a few weeks. I have cleared a good patch of the back garden and built a chicken run. The ground is now bare soil with quite a frew stones. Should I now put something on the ground over the soil? Such as sand, or chipped bark? Which is best? All advice most welcome as I really want the best for the wellbeing of my soon-to-be lodgers!

Welcome to BYC!
First let us know what your climate is....putting your location in your profile is very helpful.
Pics of your coop and run and the area around it would help too.

Beware of too many fresh grass clippings, they can gorge on them and clog their crops.
I prefer a mix of dry plant material.
No cleaning up of poops, they 'compost' in place.
Here's a great description of contents and how to manage organic 'bedding' in a run or coop...and there's a great video of what it looks like.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1037998/muddy-run-help-please#post_16017992

I was able to start with a big load of tree trimmings from the power company that had been aged(6 months). I collect dry leaves in the fall (stored in feed bags in a shed) and add them occasionally, and other garden trimmings. I let my grass grow tall, mow and spread it out with discharge pattern, leave it to dry a few day, ten push it into rows with the mower discharge, rake it up and add to run.