[stef Batterbee]

We have just run chicken wire along the bottom of the run, this is obviously not very nice for my girls and boy to walk on so I was wondering what I could cover it with, bark maybe or just soil? any other suggestions? thanks alot x

[F1schuey]

I have slabs in mine, so that I can disinfect and hose down, but mine are free to run round the garden and wreck it all day too

[stef Batterbee]

Yeh the cleaning thing is a bit of an issue. Mine were free range but I got fed up with my garden being demolished and the poo! (I have little people that run around with nothing on their feet!) I let them free range for an hour or 2 in the evening still so thought something soft on the floor of the run would be nicer for them?

[andreadon]

all the books I read said they like different surfaces to walk on - concrete for keeping their toe worn down, soil and grass etc.
We put in mostly soil with a couple of paving slabs for variety.
the paving slabs get covered when they flick dirt around, though!   

[JaK]

Inside  the run we have a slabbed area which is covered in a layer of miscanthis. The other part is grassy with a kind of sand pit in the corner.
Could you put softwood/bark chips on one half and turf the other?

[stef Batterbee]

Thanks all, will go get slabs, wood chips and turf! dont we spoil our chooks!lol

[Lewjam]

If you dont have established grass already i think you will stuggle.

Mine demolished a line of turf i put in for them in a day.

In winter it will be even worse!!  If its fairly small i would stick with wod chips, slabs and soil once all the grass has gone.