| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| CherryPie |
Posted - Feb 28 2010 : 08:44:05 AM
I thought I had a brilliant idea to put some pea gravel in the chicken run to help combat the mucky ground but then my ever reasonable father mentioned "won't they try to eat the pea gravel?" and I thought "hmmm, maybe that will be a problem."
What do you think? Is the gravel big enough that they would ignore it? I gotta solve my wet and mucky chicken run area. It doesn't get any sun and it keeps the area soggy. Hay, wood chips, etc. are just too messy.
Kimberly Ann
Farmgirl Sister #225
Crochet Geek, Newbie Fiddler, Would-be Farmer, Backyard Chicken Rancher, Eager Podcaster
http://beesinourbonnetsintheburbs.blogspot.com/
Podcasts at http://thefannyfarm.blogspot.com/ |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| sherrye |
Posted - Mar 07 2010 : 07:39:34 AM
i agree with shavings etc my concern is if you need to ever clean the run rock is heavy. i use shavings. i also get the chips from our electric co. when they trim trees in our area. they chip on site and dump me a pile. you could call utility co. and ask about chips. a french drain would be great. i dug a small trench ditch like for it to run to. shavings are light and absorb a lot. in my cow barn and goat area i use DE and some clay to help with moisture also. i put shavings on top. chickens eat and need rocks. they know which size to pick up. i put a tractor bucket full in their yard of 3/4 minus and they pick throuh it. sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farmgirl #1014
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| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Feb 28 2010 : 6:48:43 PM
The article I read on the deep litter system recommended 12 inches of wood shavings and dead leaves mixed - that seems like a lot, but maybe that combo would work.
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Feb 28 2010 : 1:53:00 PM
Have you thought about putting in a "french drainage system" ? I have them in several areas that otherwise will stay really muddy, (like my duck/goose pens), and they work like a charm. easy to put in, and not real expensive.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Feb 28 2010 : 1:17:28 PM
Pea gravel isn't too small. I don't think they'd eat it. If they did they'd know soon enough it's not food and stop. I put crush-n-run gravel down in my paths. I didn't put enough though. It worked great but we had so much rain it didn't last long. I think old hay is the best thing to use. And it's good for the soil, too.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Moodene |
Posted - Feb 28 2010 : 12:01:04 PM
I used bark mulch that I had from tree debris that was brought down by Hurricane Ike. I put alot of it on the ground and build it up some so they didnt have to walk in any mud...It has been raining here atleast once a week and my chickens have a nice area to get out of the mud before it is tracked into the henhouse....
Love me like I am. farmgirl #801
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| Alee |
Posted - Feb 28 2010 : 11:29:37 AM
What I would do is just keep layering more wood shavings or straw over the wet spots and let it absorb into the soil. In the spring time it should decompose and create a lighter soil with more organic matter. Eventually the soil will be able to absorb more water without getting nasty.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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| CherryPie |
Posted - Feb 28 2010 : 09:35:35 AM
Hmmmm, I wonder about the coconut fiber...Right now, their run area has soil (grass is all eaten), and some wood that I have put down over the worst areas. When I add straw or pine chips it works for a very short while then it gets all wet and yucky and I have to muck it out. I could use larger gravel but I feared that the sharp edges would be a problem.
Kimberly Ann
Farmgirl Sister #225
Crochet Geek, Newbie Fiddler, Would-be Farmer, Backyard Chicken Rancher, Eager Podcaster
http://beesinourbonnetsintheburbs.blogspot.com/
Podcasts at http://thefannyfarm.blogspot.com/ |
| Alee |
Posted - Feb 28 2010 : 08:54:35 AM
My inclination would be to say it could be a problem- what about incorporating material that absorbs a lot of water- like peat moss or coconut husk fiber or dried out manure? Can you use these additions to build up the soil in the run and kindof mound it up so that the water runs out towards the edges and hopefully away from the run?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
