[LJB]

HI we are thinking of getting chickens for the back garden.  The area we were thinking about has flagstones down - would we need to lift these or could we put down some sort of covering material?   :blink:  any advice would be appreciated

[Sassy]

Ideally they need to scratch about. Personally I would lift them keeping  some down for really muddy times when you need to be able to get them off the mud. People on here recommend wood chippings as a good base or for when the grass is gone.

[grumpydad]

if you can keep the flags down and then add a thick layer of chippings, at least 6 to 8 inches, it would keep any unwanted visitors out, ie rats or foxes. the chucks could still scratch about in the chippings. you may need to remove the odd one in the middle for drainage.
a roof on the run would help keep the run dry, especially in the bad weather

[joyfull]

make sure though that the run has solid raised sides otherwise you may find the bark chippings going all over the place 

[beulah59]

I'd love it if mine were on slabs! Perhaps lift the odd one or two so they can dig a dustbath if they want. A good deep layer of woodchip for them to dig through would be ideal.

[Bonniebean]

Don't know if it will help, but I have my run on solid ground with about a 6-8" layer of wood chip which I get free from a local tree surgeon. As he keeps chickens himself he knows the right stuff to give me and it doesn't contain any nasties! Twice a week I sprinkle some Bio Dry through when they have gone to bed and then fork it over to keep it hygienic. If I had slabs underneath it would be a little more difficult, but I do have some weld mesh around the sides to stop the foxes/rats, and when I fork it I do catch it sometimes! As the run is covered I don't have to worry about the drainage factor, but I do have wooden sides about 18" high which stops the woodchip going through to the garden. I made them a dust bath from a large greenhouse tray, but they prefer to use the woodchip!!!

[doodoo]

Yes agree woodchip for us too!! xx

[beulah59]

make sure though that the run has solid raised sides otherwise you may find the bark chippings going all over the place 

I have some fine wire mesh round my run and it does fairly well, too.

[LJB]

Thanks everyone, advice much appreciated.