[crh75]

Can someone help. I have just built a rather nice looking (if I do say so myself) run for some hens. I haven't got the hen yet, just a run built to withstand fox attack.  I intend to get the chickens next year.

Anyway my question is, what should I cover the floor with? At the moment it is bare earth. I was thinking of getting a load of woodchips but then thought if I manage to cut the lawn one more time this year would that be suitable?  Grass clippings would certainly be better on the pocket but I'm not sure if it will get too soggy for them.

Thanks for your time in helping.

[karlooben]

grass clippings will just be eaten right up i'm afraid  . try ringing around any local tree surgeons they always have plenty of shredded wood chip or bark , normally u can get any size load u want but u may have to pay a very small price but its worth it .

1 it will soak up the rain an help prevent mud

2 the girls will adore the bugs etc in it

3 it helps keep down an smell from the birds

4 get it in there before the girls get in  dont make the mistake i did and leave it almost a year on my part a bad move  .


p.s hiya an welcome to the forum

[AmandaH]

Oooh, you do know you're opening a can of worms, don't you?

The last time this question popped up, it ran and ran  

I think I would be summing up the last thread on this subject correctly by saying that everyone has their own opinion on this but hardwood chips topped with softwood chips (both from B&Q) were a popular choice last time around.

Having said that, my local B&Q looked at me as if I was mad and said I had to drive to the Luton store for them.  Ridiculous.  Anyone who lives around here knows that you avoid driving to Luton at all costs.

Anyway, an easier to get hold of option (and what I am now using) is bark chips from the garden centre.  I get the play ones intended for kids in the hope that if 'Elf & Safety have decided they are safe for children then hopefully they are safe for chooks (i.e. less chemicals on them).

I think it also depends on whether your run is covered or not but someone with much more experience than me of run floors will be along soon...

[crh75]

Thanks for the replies, I will see if I can find the old thread and have a look.

[AmandaH]

This was the thread.  Well, the one I remember - sure this is a regular topic!

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=43689.0