run flooring ,help needed please

we are building a bigger run and it will have a roof but me and my oh can not decide what to do about the flooring ,iv read that sand is a good choice what do you think or use for your hens advice much needed please 

Grass in summer and move the run when the grass gets worn / trashed. Builders sand in winter and then re sow with grass in spring.

We plan on using soft wood chips in part of our run. I have read this is good as the hens cam still dig. Make sure that if you choose this option you don't buy hardwood chips as they are sharp and can cause foot problems.

We have a fixed run for our 3 hens as I love my little garden.  One section next to their coop is covered for shelter and the other is open.  They scratched the grass away ages ago to a fairly solid earth base.  We cover this with Aubiose or Hemcore (same product, different manufacturers), available from equine suppliers.  As the name suggests it is the core of the hemp plant.  It smells lovely/aromatic, is very absorbent and doesn't harbour bugs.  A layer about 2cm thick, which starts off as a big pile in the middle and they rearrange to their liking within minutes!  As they kick and scratch through it every day the poo gets absorbed and worked into it.  I throw a few scoops of fresh stuff on top every few days or as needed and then do a big clean once a fortnight - or month - depending on weather conditions.  I clean all the old stuff out and it goes on the compost heap.  I sprinkle diatomaceous earth over the floor before putting down the fresh pile of hemcore as I think this helps prevent against lice as the birds love to scuff about in the hemcore having a sort of dustbath!  A large bale of Aubiose or Hemcore is around £8.50 and we've used nearly two bales since last autumn - so pretty good value!  Oh, and the other thing I do is throw all my grass mowing cuttings into the run, which the chooks love.  It all gets mixed in and eventually all ends up on the compost heap.  We use wood shavings in the coop and nest boxes which also smell great, poo picking each morning to keep it all clean and fresh.

I have a small run on earth with soft wood chipping so they can scratch and dust bath, and that's in a compound with concrete floor which they like to poop om first thing in the morning. This is easy to clean, quick scoop and hose. They also free range in the garden when I'm there.

I don't use grass cuttings or long grass due to concerns about impacted crop, and let them pick their own grass when free ranging.

Did consider gravel, but chippings working well at the moment.

Hi.. I'm no expert but have wood chippings in my run.I have a Eglu with a 3 metre run and it sits on the grass (well don't think there's any grass there now). I don't buy them from any DIY place, I just ring round tree surgeons and ask. So far I've paid £10 for a ton bag and it was delivered, and the last time I was able to just go and shovel my own from the tree surgeons yard (this cost me nothing). The quality varies.