Run flooring

Hi
I'm new to the site and to chicken keeping. Got the coop and run, which is currently half made (stupid weather) and everything else except the hens planning on 3 hybrids.

Anyway, my query is what to have on the floor of the run as there seems to be a massive difference of opinions. We have a section of decking in the corner of the garden, which is not used, I had originally planned to lift up the decking, as there is dirt underneath, however I realised after some research it's gonna get very wet and muddy. So I thought about leaving the decking and have them live on that, but I would be worried they couldn't scratch around enough. What are people's opinions on this? They will get roughly 3 days per week free range and some evenings.

The other alternative would be to divide the decking up a bit, so some is decking, I could put some gravels down in one section, over some weed barrier, so I could hose it down, the water (and poop) would drain into the space below the deck and absorb into the ground (dont know if this would smell?) and another section, with soft bedding in such as easibed or straw, which I could just clean out weekly.

Really don't know what to do!! Please help

ETA; the run I bought doesn't have a roof, but I will be adding one, which will help to keep the flooring dry.

I used hardwood chips until B&Q stopped stocking them  I'm reluctant to use bark chip because they can be prone to mould growth especially if the run is uncovered.
Currently I use horse bedding, either Hemcore or Aubiose as these are stocked by local equine centre. Some members use Miscanthus which is dust extracted chopped and ground elephant grass. These products are highly absorbent but ideally best used in a covered run.
I'm sure others will offer their advice about what works well in their set ups.
Good luck with your new adventure and welcome to the forum.

Do you need a weed barrier if you have your girls to clear off any weeds that pop up - my lot, (6 hybrids) reduced my lawn to bare earth in a couple of weeks, and nothing has a chance to grow - i go through quite a lot of cabbage/veg to substitute their desire for grass.  Re the flooring, i contacted a local tree surgeon and bought 2 industrial sized bags of wood chips at a much cheaper cost to what you'd pay at the likes of B n Q.  I've covered the run in a deep wood chip, and with it being roofed, stays dry and is perfect for dust bathing, and the garden that they free range in when time allows, is also covered in a thinner layer of wood chip, and they love it....I hose it down once a week, poo pick as much as i can, and it works well for me, and the girls.  Hope this helps.

I have three sides of my walk in run  covered with the side panels from my cloth gazebo. They have plastic windows incorporated.  I've left gaps towards the top for air circulation and I adjust them when it's sunny. During the winter I always keep the side exposed to the prevailing wind covered.
You might want to consider having some sort of barrier around the run borders to contain the wood chips as the chickens will scratch and send it flying. I've used gravel boards, others have used log roll.
Decisions, decisions.....

I have sharp sand in the run and turn it over with the spade as and when required.
The run is covered and any rain that gets in drains away ok.