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[CatherineH178]

what can i do to soak up the mud in our chicken pen????? it is mainly because it has rained non stop for the last few weeks but also because we have ducks in there too.

 

it is disgusting - like a swamp. i am thinking we will have to put concrete slabs down in the bad areas when it dries up but looking for a temporary fix .............. is there anything i can put down to soak it up???

[gavclojak]

Eeeks I was in the same position a few weeks ago, I got a tarpaulin and covered an area of the run so they had some areas to keep their feet dry, under that I added all the old clean bedding from the roosting trays and also brought a bag of auboise and a bag of play sand mixed it altogether with some of the mud and it did help. I also got a bale of straw and that gave then another dry perching area. Waiting to get a roof on my enclosure at the moment:(

[Lavenders_Blue]

I have this problem every winter and last year was particularly bad because of the wet summer too. Our heavy clay soil really holds onto the wet and turns the ground into stinking, slimy mud which I am guessing is what you are experiencing?

 

After 4 years of this, we have actually built a covered WIR this summer, and to be honest, I think keeping the rain off the ground is the only long term solution to the problem. However, when our pen has got really bad, we just have to go in with a wheelbarrow and shovel and literally just scoop out the wet mud. Keep going until you reach firm ground underneath - it will be there somewhere! You will probably remove a huge amount of mud, but it's the only way - there is nothing that will soak up the water and dry the ground out. Lose the mud round the rest of the garden if you can. It should be nice and poopy and fertile so will be good for your plants!

 

Then once you have done that, see if you can get hold of a friendly local tree surgeon and ask him to deliver you a load of wood chips. Many will gladly do this for free. I'd start by sprinkling the newly cleared ground with Stalosan/Biodry then put down a really thick layer of woodchips. I'd go for at least 6 inches if you can. This won't stop the rain reaching the ground underneath, obviously, but it should help prevent or at least minimise chooky and ducky feet churning the ground up again. The woodchips will need to be replaced eventually, but this should help see you through the worst if the winter, with any luck.

[Redwing]

You can either try and soak up some of the wet with something like Aubiose, chopped straw, Woodshavings or Snowflake Softchip - a horse or country type store will have quite a choice. Or you can try to make a new surface with woodchip (never use bark) or even straw

 

Bear in mind the disposal of whatever you use though most of the horse beddings will vanish in time

 

Long term it's not healthy for hens to live with ducks especially when the weather is so bad, perhaps think about a separate area for them

[Chickabee]

I have 2 runs. One has slabs and I use chopped straw or aubiose. The other has a thick garden membrane with sand on top. Both are covered runs but did get muddy and smelly before I did this. I use bio dry as it really helps with smells and is absorbant. Amazon sell big pots of it and the price is reasonable. Have been advised by a tree surgeon not to use wood chip. Used bark for a while , but it was awful soaked up moisture in the air and stank. I think a stable bottom is the key

[Chickabee]

mum to

princess layer

hen solo

alana

barbara

betty boo all hybred ex batts, came home 2/6/13

And Dylan and rudy the stunning griffon bruxellois *******

3 kids, a very understanding partner

gavclojak

Frequent Layer

 

Posts: 454

Joined: Sat Apr 06, 2013 10:55 am

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Please let me see your dogs, I know they're not chickens, but every time I see your post I think how much I'd like to see them

[Sandychick]

There is a good page here on mud management http://www.newlandgrange.com/CHICKEN-RUN-MUD-MANAGEMENT(1720020).htm

 

It certainly seems to work. I've been to Newland Grange a few times, and their runs look immaculate at any time of year.