What does everyone use as flooring in their run?

[Lucylou]

Morning Everyone!

In my new house the chooks have a much smaller run than before & its become obvious that its going to be essential over the winter to cover the ground with wood chips or something.

It is an enclosed run approx. 5mts x 2mts made from wood framed, weldmesh sections (if I've explained correctly!) One side is up against the garage the other three are exposed, so the wind at the moment blows right through although I have put temporary low walls up along the short end & part way down the open side.

Can anyone suggest a suitable flooring? I had thought of hardwood chips but so far haven't been able to locate any, the log suppliers I've contacted so far sell their chips to generators. Don't want anything too expensive but must get something soon, its becoming really difficult to poo pick as the ground is now just earth.

 

[KittyKat]

Leaf litter is readily available and usually very free this time of year. My main run is full of bark, gravel, leaf litter and the occasional straw that they decide to drag out of the coop. Having said that, I don't get much rain making it through as the run is roofed. It has a fence on the left side and a walled area at the back, as well as a short section of wall on the right. Overall, only the front and 3/4 of the right side are completely open. There are also some perches to help entertain the chickens when they're cooped up (for example, for worming or when we're away).

Cleaning the run is not difficult: I just sweep all the loose stuff to the back, then take a shovel to the poo under the perches, then sweep the loose stuff evenly again and add some new litter on top.

 

[BabyBantam]

www.flytesofancy.co.uk/ sells woodchip - not sure where you are or if viable on price, but its wood not bark so lasts well

 

[Lucylou]

That's exactly what I need BabyBantam but a supplier closer to me & ideally someone who sells in larger quantities.

I'll spend some time Googling I think & see what comes up, having spent another hour this morning attempting to clean up after my girls & now they're moulting we've got feathers galore to cope with too!

 

[BabyBantam]

try sending them a mail - they might help link you with supplier, or give you a bulk order price. been pretty helpful whenever I have an issue.

 

[valeriebutterley]

I've just discovered "Bedmax" having been an Aubiose fan for years. It is giant pine shavings so smells nice, seems very absorbent, and the chickens happy with it on hut floor and nest boxes.
I also have another coop and run against the garage wall, and floor it with this, and the roosting area as well, seems to work.

 

[Lucylou]

Hi Valerie,
Is your run fully roofed? Mine will have eventually (when I get my 'not very good at DIY' hubby onto it!) a full roof of Perspex but is temporarily half covered with these Perspex sheets just laid on & held down with long batons.

Also does the Bedmax blow about? I'm not sure if we're in a particularly windy area or if its just the recent weather conditions ! (haven't been here long enough yet to work it out!)

 

[valeriebutterley]

The run by the garage does have a roof - perspex and a bit leaky.
The Bedmax does not seem to blow about or get through tiny holes as wood shavings and Aubiose does, all in all for me, it seems a better option, also
it costs £6.50 a bale against £8.99 for Aubiose.