xChicken04x Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 Hi Everyone, We are in the middle of building our chicken run but the problem is that the place where it is quite low so all the water drains in to the run. So we thought of putting some smooth pea shingle down to raise the height, with a couple layers of wood chippings on top. Do you think this is ok for the chickens? Will they eat it? if so will it do them any harm? Baring in mind they will be on a few layers of wood chippings (about 6") could it hurt their feet? Thanks for any replies xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 don't think it will do them any harm, it's probably a bit big to eat but if they can swallow it, then it's probably ok! it'll give them extra grit. I am no expert, but I shouldn't think it will hurt their feet either, especially if there are chippings on top. You could always put a log or branch in there, for them to perch on from time to time, as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainboarddude Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 no, lots of people on tyhe forum use bark/wood chippings in their run, they can scratch around in it, and the gravel will provide extra calcium for digestion and their egg shells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted July 23, 2007 Author Share Posted July 23, 2007 Ok, thanks for that! we can start ordering now! and before you ask i will post piccies of the chooks and run when its finished Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainboarddude Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 we will look forward to seeing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 I don't think the pea gravel will do them anyharm. It might make cleaning out the run a bit of a nightmare though! I think it might be difficult to remove the chippings with removeing some gravel as well. Our run is on paving slabs and this makes the monthly muck out a lot easier and nothing can tunnel under run either. We just move the cube shovel up the bedding, hose down the slabs and replce the bedding. Hope this helps, Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 It certainly won't do do them any harm but be prepared for them to dig it up Mine dig for England if confined to the run for any length of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted July 24, 2007 Author Share Posted July 24, 2007 We dont mind doing all the hard things like cleaning out it adds to the fun!!!! We where thinking of using paving slabs but adding together our £150 weldmesh and paving slabs it started to get expensive since the area they will be in is quite large. Instead we are making a skirt around the edge out of sliced logs, its hard to explaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainboarddude Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 i hope your run goes ok and will lok forward to seeing the pictures of it when it is finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
