Heatherlou Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 Hi, we have built a walk in run which I’m very pleased with but it’s turned into a mud mess so quick! The ground is not even so would be tricky to slab. I was looking online last night and seen that pine wood pellets laid down first then woodchips on top really helped the mud issue? I was thinking of doing this and wandered off anyone has tried? would woodchips work alone if I laid a good enough amount of them down? Has anyone had this issue and found an easy solution? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 Can you level the ground in any way then slab? Slabs, with 'softer stuff' on top really are the best solution! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 Silly question, perhaps, but does the WIR have a roof? If not, I don't think it's going to make much difference what you put on top of the floor; it's going to become a wet mess whenever it rains, although slabs will obviously avoid that wet mess being a muddy one. Nor do I think hens generally care as long as there's somewhere covered and dry available as well where they can retreat in order to avoid the generic problems associated with wet feet. If, of course, your WIR is roofed, then perhaps a covering of some sort (an old plastic shower curtain?) on the wall in the direction of the prevailing wind will stop too much of the rain being blown in from the side. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 It needs a roof. If not a permanent one, then cover with clear tarpaulins from Tarpaflex. I’ve got the Omlet WIR which is open to the elements but I’ve got a clear tarpaulin over the roof, then same on one of the long sides and the front. Then I have wavy plastic available to cover the remaining side if necessary. All held in place with bungees. It’s dry inside so I use aubiose on the floor. Log roll round the perimeter to keep it in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 15 minutes ago, Patricia W said: It needs a roof. If not a permanent one, then cover with clear tarpaulins from Tarpaflex. I’ve got the Omlet WIR which is open to the elements but I’ve got a clear tarpaulin over the roof, then same on one of the long sides and the front. Then I have wavy plastic available to cover the remaining side if necessary. All held in place with bungees. It’s dry inside so I use aubiose on the floor. Log roll round the perimeter to keep it in. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggysoldiers Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 16 minutes ago, Patricia W said: It needs a roof. If not a permanent one, then cover with clear tarpaulins from Tarpaflex. I’ve got the Omlet WIR which is open to the elements but I’ve got a clear tarpaulin over the roof, then same on one of the long sides and the front. Then I have wavy plastic available to cover the remaining side if necessary. All held in place with bungees. It’s dry inside so I use aubiose on the floor. Log roll round the perimeter to keep it in. I was having a debate as to how to keep stuff in the run.... Although as I have a classic I’m not sure log roll would work as well 🤔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 Use some of the corrugated plastic lawn edging and cable ties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatherlou Posted June 24, 2020 Author Share Posted June 24, 2020 Thanks for your replies! 😁 My run Does not have a roof over the mesh top if I get clear tarpaulins and put this over the top and sides will it be ok to put aubiose down on the mud floor? I am desperate to fix this! thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 Yes it will, and you'll find a massive improvement. Slabs underneath are even better too, and more secure as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatherlou Posted June 24, 2020 Author Share Posted June 24, 2020 Thanks so much! i will order tarpaulin and aubiose today 😀 how often does aubiose need to be changed? thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 3 hours ago, Heatherlou said: Thanks for your replies! 😁 My run Does not have a roof over the mesh top if I get clear tarpaulins and put this over the top and sides will it be ok to put aubiose down on the mud floor? I am desperate to fix this! thanks Just to be clear, a tarpaulin roof is a good thing, but only cover the side nearest the prevailing wind and even then only if the rain seems to persistently get in. I'm not trying to do the grandmothers/sucking eggs bit but your post carried a hint that you might cover all sides with clear tarpaulin as well and in this weather that'd turn the whole run into a greenhouse. I don't imagine it's likely that's what you meant but I just wanted to make absolutely certain. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 13 hours ago, eggysoldiers said: was having a debate as to how to keep stuff in the run.... Although as I have a classic I’m not sure log roll would work as well I think it would it would just be at a bit of an angle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cats&Chickens Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 My run has roof, is on ground with hardwood chips, but they just want to be out on what was lawn next to it. I let them out a few hours a day supervised as it’s penned with chicken wire, but they have eaten all the grass and scratched all seeds out.... they still want to be there though so, is paving slaps with gaps the best idea? Feel bad covering it all in slabs.... what about gravel and some slabs with bits of earth in between? i have great poultry grass seed which really does grow back in 4 weeks also Forgot to say: have spare bags of hardwood run chips which i could put down, but do these work in uncovered run? ( from flyte so fancy) am also concerned cats will just think it’s a giant litter tray...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 Chickens are like toddlers: they’ll aways want what they can’t have or can’t quite reach. Chickens don’t need grass. Stay away from anything gravel. It won’t stay where you want it and it can turn in a muddy mess. You can keep hardwood chips in an uncovered run, but I would put paving slabs under it, otherwise it will turn muddy very quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 My runs are slabbed with Aubiose on top, they happily dig around in that , and other parts of the garden that they are allowed in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
