Trench foot!

[Snadger]

My allotment hens will soon be getting 'trench foot' with all the rain we've had recently.
I have a run which is in two sections so that if ever I want to seperate hens for any reason this will be possible.
I am off to the allotment today to put a thick coat of wood chippings on so they don't need to be standing on muddy soil.

Problem is, they enjoy 'dust bathing' when the ground is dry so I am wondering whether to only coat one area, which seems to be there favorite spot in the sun and leave the rest for dust bathing? Both areas are approximately nine square metres and have a seperation fence with a door hole inbetween which can be used to seperate chooks if the need arises.
I could build a covered area but this will cut down the available light which they seem to like!

[kirsty b]

My run was a nightmare for mud all winter and in desperation I laid pallets down in an attempt to keep their feet clear of the worst of it. Buggers just walked on the mud in between the gaps!!

I hope to be better prepared for the winter this year having learned from it!!

Have covered half my run with a tarp which keep worst of rain off, provides some shade, and other half of run has plenty of light still. Wondered why mine had muddy chests, found them mud bathing depite me putting a tub of dry compost/sand in the protected half. They will go back the fave spots.