Pros and Cons of straw or hay in the chicken run??

[ChelseysChicken]

Its been raining so much here lately and my coop/run area is completely shaded so its not drying out very well at all! My Chickie's are walking in mud!!!

I was thing I could throw some hay down to give them some dry ground. what do y'all think??

 

[12chickenlover3]

I do not recommend doing it! Is your run flat? Because if it is slanted a little bit all the hay washes down the hill because of the rain. Also it starts to smell, because of the chicken poo. My chickens also started laying eggs out there. I don't know if yours will or not. From past experience I think there are no pros, just cons.

Hope This Helped,
Alexandra

 

[ChelseysChicken]

I do not recommend doing it! Is your run flat? Because if it is slanted a little bit all the hay washes down the hill because of the rain. Also it starts to smell, because of the chicken poo. My chickens also started laying eggs out there. I don't know if yours will or not. From past experience I think there are no pros, just cons.

Hope This Helped,
Alexandra

Very helpful,Thanks!

 

[jrudolph305]

I've used grass clippings and leaves in a run area. Every couple months--or as needed--I rake it out and add to a compost heap and later add to the garden.

 

[chicksbunsdog]

I occassionally throw a pile of hay in the run when it's too muddy/wet. At first it scared my chickens half to death but now they love to peck at it and scratch at it. I've also thrown grass clipping in there for them to peck/scratch and they loved that too. Our run is overdue for a cleaning but it's not horrible. I'll rake it all out and throw it in the compost, and likely add some fresh sand to the run. No major problems with the smell due to the hay. I find the run smells fine when the weather's nice but always stinks more when it's raining and wet. I've never had a chicken lay an egg outside, they always go in and use the nesting box.
Good luck!

 

[nellynelly]

if the two choices are straw or muck, i would go with the straw.

 

[4 the Birds]

Hay and Straw in the run are OK since it is all open sided. In the coop it is not so good. My run is built up of straw and pine chips. Compacted hay and straw is a "bear" to remove since it can build up and be very heavy but raking the top works well. As far as the mud problem you can first put sheets of scrap plywood down on the main walking areas. This way if the chickens dig down then they will not create a mud hole. I also use wood pallets with boards nailed on top for a few raised areas.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

We throw grass clippings, leaves, pine shavings, straw into the run to overcome the mud and it's worked for us. I try to do it as an exterior "deep litter" system, encouraging the girls to rake through it. The layer of organic matter in the run draws the worms and bugs out of the dirt, so the girls actually love it.

If it stays too wet for too long, the area will begin to smell. I've gone into the run and have moved some of it to my compost pile - replacing what I removed with fresh shavings or straw. That usually resolves any smell issue.

 

[nellynelly]

another option is to fix the drainage in the run. install gutters on the roof and drainage channels that direct water out of teh run.

 

[aart]

another option is to fix the drainage in the run. install gutters on the roof and drainage channels that direct water out of teh run.

This would be the FIRST thing to do!

Here's a good article that will offer lots of options.