MUD in the Run!

[Maddie106]

I can't move the chicken run around my small garden, so with the recent rain, my 3 girls are padling around in in mud! Even the covered part under their hut is horribly squishy, even tho I keep putting straw down for them

Whilst THEY seem to be happy about it, I'm sure it's not good for them.
Has anybody tried "astro turf" or something similar in PART of a chicken run?

I think I need to put something down that can be taken up easily and hosed down, so have rejected my first ideas of bark chips/gravel.

Suggestions please!!

[MrsC]

Hi Maddie,my girls are the same, well part of their run anyway, under the hen house is bone dry and that's where they scratch about and bathe in the dust when not out and about in the garden. I have put a pallet down for them and a few branches to get them out of the mud. Will be interested to see what everyone else says as I don't like the mud situation either, they don't seem to mind though!

[BUFFS]

Hi there,i found that a permeable barrier sheet,covered in 2" sharp sand works for me.when it needs to be moved,just pull up the sheet corners,gets the sand together,scoop it into wheelbarrow and move it where you want,i use lawn rake to collect the poo and hose down area each day,water gone in a few minutes.good luck

[Snadger]

Hi there,i found that a permeable barrier sheet,covered in 2" sharp sand works for me.when it needs to be moved,just pull up the sheet corners,gets the sand together,scoop it into wheelbarrow and move it where you want,i use lawn rake to collect the poo and hose down area each day,water gone in a few minutes.good luck

Sounds like a reasonable plan BUFFS!

[Snadger]

I have one run which is extremely muddy but luckily the chooks have an area under cover which is reasonably dry as well.
I also have a paved run for another set of chooks but unless this is hosed down every day, it too gets covered in poop!

If I had the money available I would cover all the runs with clear corrugated perspex!

[Suechooks]

I've put pallets down all over the runs - under cover as well. Girls happily hop from one to another. Doesn't prevent the mud (would anything?) but does give them some choice - wood chip and straw also good particularly in covered areas but obviously need digging out regularly.

[Flummery]

My walk-in sized run is covered in corrugated perspex and the floor is 4" or so deep in wood chippings. They get allowed out to forage for a while each day but spend a lot of their time in the run, especially if the weather is dicey. Even so, Topaz flew up onto my back while I was poo-picking this morning (she often does this - likes the view I reckon) and still managed to leave muddy footprints all up my back. I tend to forget and go out round the village with chicken footprints up my back!

[Eco-Chic]

I would be interested to know what people think about putting down astro turf too, as I have quite a lot of it.

My thoughts are that it may look aesthetically pleasing for a few minutes but the chooks will probably pull it apart very quickly. I would be concerned about them ingesting plastic grass too.

[Flummery]

I think I'd be worried about them eating it too.

[dexterdoglancashire]

I had exactly the same problem as you, but decided on the large gravel/pebble option. Its brilliant and has worked a treat! I still put straw on top, but its now staying dry with any rain soaking through. Do give it a try.

[tlck9]

I'm lucky I can move the run, but having had rain for over 8 weeks solid within a couple of hours the 4 chucks have wrecked it

I have put some slabs down so that I can tread on those so I dont muck the run when I go in, but its proving difficult.

[Snadger]

My walk-in sized run is covered in corrugated perspex and the floor is 4" or so deep in wood chippings. They get allowed out to forage for a while each day but spend a lot of their time in the run, especially if the weather is dicey. Even so, Topaz flew up onto my back while I was poo-picking this morning (she often does this - likes the view I reckon) and still managed to leave muddy footprints all up my back. I tend to forget and go out round the village with chicken footprints up my back!

On a tee shirt with "The Chook Whisperer" on the front, chicken footprints on the back will enhance the design!

[Flummery]

On a tee shirt with "The Chook Whisperer" on the front, chicken footprints on the back will enhance the design!

It could have happened - only it certainly isn't tee-shirt weather here!

[Snadger]

It could have happened - only it certainly isn't tee-shirt weather here!

You SOFTY!!!!

[Flummery]

You SOFTY!!!!

That's me mate, nesh to the bone!