BGB Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I have 4 Black Rock chickens, an Eglu inside a 5m x 5m run, about 5 feet high and covered with chicken wire overhead so they can't escape. The run at present is like a quagmire, and I have tried thickening up the mud using a sand and gravel mixture, but it is still very messy. I am a bit concerned that the mud is so thick and slippery. There is no greenery in the run as they have destroyed it all. Do I need to do anything else? I have heard of using some form of 'cat litter' to dry the place out. Is this safe with chickens, and, if so, does anyone know of a bulk supplier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Have you thought about putting a good layer of woodchip down? It can work out very economical if you find a local tree surgeon who's willing to drop a load off when he's passing. If it were me, I'd be tempted to dig out as much of the mud as I could first and possibly putting a layer of hardcore/stone/gravel down first to help with drainage. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Horse bedding is good for soggy runs . You will have to cover your run though as it's very absorbant. Easibed, Aubiose, Hemcore, NedzBedz are a few off the top of my head. Stalosan F (a powdered disinfectant) is also good for keeping nasties at bay and drying things out. Safe to put down where the hens are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 could you put some sort of cover on the roof ? No matter what you put on the floor if water can get in it will end up muddy and messy again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Have you seen the size of the run A roof might also require a mortgage! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGB Posted February 14, 2011 Author Share Posted February 14, 2011 Thanks Guys. I will work on both those ideas. One of the problems is, I have to carry everything up about 70 steps before I get to the chicken run. It keeps me fit, but I'm not getting any younger!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 My girls have a mudpit and I filled it with all the leaves from the garden. They really enjoyed scratching around in them and there were a lot of bugs hiding on the leaves. They do not have a roof over it and it does get muddy but the leaves do seem to have made a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
