Sophie Bennett
There are many options for flooring materials for a chicken run, and the best choice will depend on your specific needs and situation. Some popular options include concrete, plywood, linoleum, and wood chips. Concrete is a durable and low-cost option, but it can be rough and cause bacterial infections in chickens' feet, so it's important to use soft bedding on top of it. Wood chips are popular due to their clean appearance, free drainage, and ability to keep the floor warm and dry. Sand is another option that chickens enjoy, but it can be expensive to cover a large area, and you'll want to use medium construction/masonry sand rather than fine playground sand. If you're looking for a more natural option, a grass run can be ideal in spring and summer, but it can quickly turn into a mud bath, especially with a large number of chickens.
Characteristics of the best material for a chicken run
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of cleaning | Easy to clean |
| Durability | Hard-wearing |
| Safety | Safe, predator-proof, rodent-proof |
| Cost | Low-cost |
| Drainage | Good drainage |
| Smell | Minimal smell |
| Dryness | Dry |
| Bacteria-free | Bacteria-free |
| Compostability | Compostable |
| Accessibility | Accessible for dust bathing and foraging |
| Type | Concrete, plywood, linoleum, sand, gravel, wood chips, grass, paper shreds, pine shavings, straw |
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What You'll Learn
Wood chips
To get the best results, it is recommended to use hardwood wood chips, as they are less susceptible to mould and can withstand all types of weather. Softwood chips, such as pine, will degrade quickly and are more likely to become slushy and mix with mud. Hardwood chips, on the other hand, will sit on top of the ground and provide a clean and healthy surface for your chickens to scratch and peck at.
When applying wood chips, it is important to ensure a sufficient depth. A layer of around 5-6 cm (2 inches) is recommended to prevent the chips from disappearing into the mud. Over time, the wood chips will break down, so regular topping up is necessary. Depending on the weather conditions and maintenance, this may be required once or twice a year.
In addition to the practical benefits, wood chips can also provide entertainment for your chickens as they scratch and peck for bugs and worms. Furthermore, some chicken keepers have observed that their chickens seem to eat less when kept on a deep bed of wood chips, potentially due to the creation of additional food sources in the wood chips over time.
Overall, wood chips are a great choice for chicken runs, providing a clean, healthy, and entertaining environment for your feathered friends.
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Concrete
If you already have a concrete surface, you can add a more conventional bedding on top, such as sand, gravel, straw, or dry leaves. Straw and dry leaves are especially useful where manure accumulates, such as under the roosting bars, as the carbon in the litter helps neutralise the nitrogen to keep down the smell. However, straw may attract rats and mice, so it must be changed very regularly.
If you are building a chicken run from scratch, you can use concrete to secure the structure. For example, you can dig a trench around the perimeter of the coop and run, fill it with concrete, and build your walls on top. You can also set certain types of anchors, such as J-bolts, in the concrete while it is drying to anchor supports.
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Sand
When using sand in a chicken run, it is important to consider the type and quality of sand. Construction-grade sand, also known as washed construction-grade sand, is recommended. This type of sand should be natural, with variable particle sizes, and should not contain clay or be manufactured by crushing quartz, as this creates fine, dusty particles that are not ideal for chicken litter. Playground sand, for example, tends to be too fine and dusty. It is also important to ensure that the sand is dry before adding it to the coop or run, especially before the onset of cold weather.
The amount of sand needed will depend on the size of the chicken run. As a guide, a 10'x10' coop would require about 3.15 cubic yards of sand to achieve a depth of 4-5 inches, while an 8'x12' coop would need approximately 2.5 tons of sand for a 6-inch depth. It is generally recommended to use a deeper layer of sand in the chicken run than in the coop, with some sources suggesting up to 12 inches of sand in the run.
While sand can be a good choice for chicken runs, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, sand can be expensive, especially if it needs to be delivered. Additionally, sand can become hot underfoot during the summer months and may require regular misting or drenching to keep it cool. It is also important to ensure that the sand has good drainage and is not sitting in water.
Some chicken owners have expressed concerns about pathogens in sand, and it is recommended to have an extra pile of sand to swap in while the used sand is being cleaned and dried. One method for disinfecting sand is to remove it from the coop and use a flamethrower to flush it. Overall, while sand may have some drawbacks, many chicken owners find it to be a successful and cost-effective option for their chicken runs.
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Grass
One solution to this problem is to use a chicken tractor. This involves temporarily moving the chickens from their coop to a small, enclosed section of the run. Before the grass is destroyed, the chickens and the tractor are moved to another part of the run.
Another option is to create a deep litter system by adding dry leaves, pine needles, fallen fruit, or other compostable materials to the grass. This will provide entertainment for the chickens as they dig around for treats, and it will also help to keep the run clean and dry.
If you choose to use grass in your chicken run, it is important to ensure that the area is not located at the bottom of a slope, as this can lead to water pooling and creating a muddy mess. It is also important to provide a dust bath area for the chickens, even if it is inside the coop, to keep them clean and dry.
Overall, grass can be a good option for chicken runs, especially with proper management and the addition of supplementary materials, but it may not be suitable for larger flocks or in wetter climates.
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Pine shavings
However, it is important to note that pine shavings may contain dangerous toxins that can harm chickens. Some people use pine shavings in their coops and runs under certain conditions. For example, some people spread old, soiled pine shavings from the coop into the run to let them finish composting. If you do this, it is important to ensure that the shavings do not get too moist, as this can lead to the growth of dangerous mould. Even in dry conditions, there is still a risk of mould and other growing pathogens that may not be visible.
While pine shavings have their benefits, it is crucial to carefully consider the potential risks to ensure the health and safety of your chickens.
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Frequently asked questions
The best material for a chicken run floor is one that keeps the run clean, dry, and bacteria-free while drying out poop. Popular options include:
- Wood chips
- Sand
- Dirt and alfalfa hay
- Pea gravel covered with mulch
- Concrete slabs with an absorbent topping
A chicken run is an outdoor enclosure attached to a chicken coop. It provides chickens with the opportunity to free-range while remaining contained and safe from predators.
When building a chicken run, it is important to consider size, security, and sanitation. The run should be constructed with sturdy, high-quality materials that will protect your flock from predators. It should also be covered to protect chickens from birds of prey and climbing predators.
