[ChristyRose]

My 14 chickens have an 8m x 8m run.  They've been on the same piece of garden for nearly 3 years now.  I cant move them any where else.  They have obviously pecked it free of any grass.  I just wondered is there any problems with keeping them on the same bit of ground or is it big enough not to cause any problems?  Does the rain keep it clean?

[Lindeggs]

What is on the floor of the run?  Plenty of well-drained organic matter will help keep it in good condition.  Wood chips, dry leaves, twiggy garden prunings can all be a big help. 

The rain itself won't keep it clean - in fact it can cause it to be muddy and cause more problems.  Also size in itself isn't the only factor.  It's more about the quality of the space than just the size.

If there is no offensive smell it will probably be fine, but there are some potential problems with them staying on the same ground permanently, so it will help if you plan for them.

Here are some problems and suggested solutions:

Problem: Sour soil from too much manure.
Solution: Sprinkle dolomite lime to raise the pH.  Dig out part of the soil regularly and add it to your garden.

Problem: Compacted soil causing poor drainage.
Solution: Either turn it over yourself or sprinkle grain to encourage your hens to turn it over.

Problem: Build up of worm eggs.
Solution: Watch carefully for signs of worms and establish a regular worming regime.

You don't mention if you have any problems with the soil or health problems with the hens, so can we assume everything is currently fine?