[alexroyall85]

Evening all

I was wondering what people use to cover the floor of their run. Be it wood chips, straw etc. And how well they last. The wet weather has taken its toll and is turning it into a mud bath.

Many thanks

Alex

[grinling]

My run has a solid roof and the sides are protected with plastic on the upper section to stop rain and snow. The floor is now concrete as problems with moles. I have straw which the chickens can kick around in.
Straw bale costs about £3

[alexroyall85]

Hi

I can get straw from the farm I work the only problem being the run is 64sqm and once they have squashed the straw in it’s a lot to clear up and put in the compost bin.

Just hoping there is a better flooring I can use instead of roofing the whole run as this would be expensive!!

[snow white]

Use woodchips.  Rough large sized ones last longest.  Proper ones, not the ones you get in plastic bags.  Speak to a commercial gardener or tree surgeon and get a vast quantity.

Or get some second hand lino and put this down and cover with straw or woodchips.  This will stop the mud during winter and will stop the bedding getting trodden in the mud.  You could sweep the bedding up in no time when needed.

[Sassy]

You can get rubber chips for poultry runs. Can be hosed down and disinfected and will not break down any time soon. As you know the straw once wet will get slimy etc and is a problem to move and get rid of. May also cause health problems once wet. I think there is some sort of matting which is used for catle but don't know anything about this. If you can get access to afew pallets these could help around the housing. Just thoughts. 

[alexroyall85]

I think wood chips is the way forward.

Many thanks