Stones in chicken run

[urban_garden]

Hi

I'm thinking of getting chickens and the area where I would situate the chicken coop and run currently has decrative stones covering the land, would this be ok or would it damage there feet?

See photo for an idea of what I mean.

Thanks
Wayne

[veggiechicken]

Hi Wayne and Welcome!!
Can't you scrape the chippings off? They'll get very messy after a few days of chicken poop

[urban_garden]

Hi

Yes I could do but underneath is just soil so wouldn't this just be a mud bath after a few days? Or what you recommend putting down on top of the soil?

Thanks
Waybe

[kathyd]

Must admit Wayne, my birds don't really like to spend too long on gravel, and some of them even manage to trip over bigger stones - not a problem for them as a rule because the gravel is outside their run and they can avoid it whilst free ranging, but I don't think I'd put stones down as a major part of a permanent run to be honest.. One of the things my birds like best is a deep layer of mulch to scratch in, but I don't know if this would work in a smaller enclosed area. You'll get lots of suggestions for covering the soil from people on here I think, hang on in there!

[RichmondHens]

You need to dig out the stones, mud and all to a depth of at least 6 inches and backfill with woodchip. If you are in a wet place a drainage layer of stone underneath the woodchip is a good idea. You can't just chuck stuff straight onto the existing ground, it would turn into a muddy mess.

But looking at your photo, if that is the only spot designated for a chicken run, it is very small for a permanent enclosure. However you could get away with it if you intend to let the birds out to free range for a few hours each day.

[bearded bloke]

Hello & welcome Where about's are you ? if near me,I have free access to about 8 tonnes of tree chippings

[urban_garden]

Thanks for replys and suggestions. I'm in Tamworth. The total area of the enclosure will be 2x4 meters (8sqm) roughly. They will be let out when I'm around prob a couple of hours a day in the weekend and potentially all day weekends although quite a bit less in the winter. I've got a load of stones to get rid of from elsewhere in the garden as well so I could dig it all out fill with a couple of inchs of stones to aid drainage then 6 inchs of the woodchip?

Thanks