layer of rocks in the run?okay?

[Della333]

My husband and I need to settle a small difference of opinion. We have an area that would be a great location for a chicken run (framed and chicken wired pen) The area used to be used to firewood and my husband laid a base of small crushed stones (stones about the size of a quarter to a silver dollar). There is not very much grass. The stones are about 2" deep. I think the stones need to go .... expose the dirt , plant some grass....my husband thinks the stones can stay and the chickens will pick around them to find bugs etc. I also think the stones will get warm in summer and it won't be very comfortable for them, as well they have to dig through 2" of stone to get to dirt to dust themselves. If Husband is right and the stones don't get in the way of their food source then fine with me if they stay.


thanks
Della

 

[pipermark]

Getting through the stones wont be a problem. Unless its a very large run , grass wont last but days.

The biggest worry I would have is slipped tendons. You dont want to put chickens on a slick surface for this reason. I dont know if the stones could cause a problem for them or not, but I would be concerned.
I would probably err on the side of caution and remove the stones.

 

[Big dreams]

I would put grass seed in the rocks, maybe the roots would live longer, but I think if it were me I would have both and then see how the chickens reacted to it. If they never go on the rock side well then I guess you would want them gone, if they do then so be it. Although I would wonder if the poo would just kind of sit on the top of the rock? But I really don't know, would be nice to hear your decision and let us know how all turns out.

 

[kathyinmo]

It seems to me that chickens don't care what they walk on. I see mine on dirt, gravel mounds, compost piles, etc. My opinion is: just leave it as is. If you see a problem later, then revise plans. Just my 2 cents.

 

[jenjscott]

Actually, I have been considering putting rocks in a run, to help with water drainage. I'm still trying to figure this one out.

 

[speckledhen]

If they are not smooth stones, you may be setting yourself up for a cycle of bumblefoot. Trust me, you do not want that.

 

[tdgill]

i have the same small stones...mostly round..i raked them to one side of the pen and they dig thru them like crazy. i just have an area where they can get off and out of them, but i think they would be easy to keep run clean. just hose it down...i would give it and try and see.

 

[Sunshine Chick 1]

We put small rocks all around our coop and run. I have 14 hens of mixed breeds. They seem to scratch under the bottom wood of the run and bring the rocks inside the run. We rake them out and they put them back in. Our hens have not had any problems with them.

 

[tdgill]

what would cause the bumblefoot speckled hen? cuts on sharp stones?

 

[Ridgerunner]

According to Farm Animal Shelters, bumblefoot is: "...a localized infection in the foot causing bulbous swelling of the footpad and surrounding tissue. It can affect one or both feet, and can affect one or many members of the flock. Bumblefoot is an infection that is caused by an injury to the ball of the foot. As the infection progresses, the lesion enlarges and the ball of the foot and tissue between the toes becomes enlarged and swollen. There is usually a round scab on the base of the foot that, when removed, will allow pus to be drained from the foot. If caught early, the foot can be treated with wraps and antibiotics may not be necessary."

The way I understand bumblefoot, it is caused by a staff infection, which can also be dangerous to humans. A chicken will not keep an injury to the foot clean so it is subject to infection.


Don't expect any grass to be in the run after the chickens are turned loose in there. They will eat it to the roots even if they cannot scratch the grass out. Don't waste your time and money planting grass. And don't expect them to find a lot of bugs and such in the run after they have been in there a few days and stripped it. They will find some bugs and they will keep scratching and looking, but it really won't be a lot. They do need to be able to scratch though. It is part of their nature.

The way I understand your post, the entire area is covered with the crushed stone. They will make a solid foundation that drains well. You could put sand on top and it will really drain well and be easy to clean if necessary, but they will scratch down to those rocks. That is actually a great way to make a run floor, a layer of gravel topped with sand. It drains really well.

I do not have experience with bumblefoot and don't know how big a risk those specific crushed stones are. I don't know how worn they are or if they are still sharp. I do respect Speckledhen's opinion. She has knowledge and experience. My inclination is to recommend covering the gravel with several inches of sand and clear out an area and replace the stone with real dirt to try to influence them to dust bathe in that specific area, but I don't know how big the risk of bumblefoot is. Even with an area to dust bathe in, they will scratch everywhere. You won't stop that.