[Wyandottie]

Hi all, I am completely new to all of this.  Got the chickens last Saturday and they have already destroyed most of the grass surface inside the run.  The run is not moveable.  Can anyone suggest the best material to cover the surface once all the grass has disappeared.  I want to keep my ladies in comfort (but not spend a fortune!)

[poultrygeist]

Hi wyandottie.

We had bark chippings but a couple of months ago put half a strawbale in with them and they've loved every minute of scratching in it and spreading it round. It doesn't look attractive but they don't mind 

The only thing is you need to keep the rain off because it will turn to mush. But it's always good to keep the run dry anyway to avoid it going smelly.

Rob

[shiatsusu]

We have bark chips down too and unfortunately can't keep the rain off so it does get a bit yukky but then dries out pretty quick. They're not expensive so you can rake them up and put fresh down fairly easily. As Rob says, the girls love scratching in them 

[karlooben]

my run spent the most of the winter months pretty much under water , finally i managed to get wood bark in abd its made so much difference . i can go in there now with flip flops on if i wanted and its wonderfull seeing the girls with nice dry legs an feet every day.

if u want quite a lot i woul suggest calling around any local tree surgeons or landscape gardeners , u may get lots for free.

[shiatsusu]

Looby do all your girls poo in one place?!! If only I could wear flip flops in mine without coming out poo ridden!! Joking apart, they do have much cleaner feet on the chips 

[smiler43]

I use wood chip, the floor is soil.  I thought bark was a no-go because of the spores causing respiratory problems? 

[karlooben]

i normally call it wood chip but really its a bit of everything really well chopped up . so u could call it bark of chip { ok thats confusing 

my girls poo anywhere an everywhere but it dont really bother me if i get to much on me my run is right on top of the main water tap  .

[mamashango184]

My chickens are kept on my patio for half the day, its floor is the concrete slabs and there is a wee hole with loads of mud and grass they can dig up during the day when im out.  I tried mud and bark chippings and i hated going in there to clean up after it had rained or snowed, so i decide to lay the slabs.  Its so easy to clean up now.  I spread bark, soil or the occasional bale or straw for them to forage in.  No more muddy mess. They get out in my back garden for about 3 hours a day in two or three visits, just while me and my collie dog are in the garden really.  Ive had no compaints from the girls.