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Barnyard Buddies:  Ideas for a mucky chicken run?  |
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CherryPie
True Blue Farmgirl
935 Posts
Kimberly Ann
Puyallup
WA
USA
935 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 15 2010 : 08:09:06 AM
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My girls have the fun of living here in wet western washington in the winter (how's that for a bunch of W's). Their run area stays pretty soggy. I've tried pine chips but they just end up a big wet mess that I have to scoop out. Currently, I have a bit of plywood over the worst area so at least their feet won't get all muddy. They can still hang out in the dirt area under the coop (it is a raised up area) if they want but they seem to like the wood. Any other ideas for helping to get that area a bit less mucky? I have tarps covering the run to keep out the rain but it blows in anyway.
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/ |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2010 : 08:21:59 AM
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I use hay. I just lay down a layer on the ground and they tamp it down. When it starts to get soggy again I just put another layer down on top. They tamp it down so much and it breaks down pretty quickly so I dont bother scooping it out until the spring.
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2010 : 08:40:06 AM
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I usually just keep piling shavings and hay and eventually it's higher ground. I clean it out just before spring and it's already composted and ready to go in the gardens.
Perhaps dig a trench that leads away from the run. Fill it with rock and sand. Cover back with soil, shavings, or hay. The water should drain through the trench.
You could also build the run up with several inches of sand. The water should soak through the sand and the top stay dry.
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Moodene
True Blue Farmgirl
353 Posts
Nadine
Devers
Texas
USA
353 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2010 : 11:59:12 AM
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I use bark mulch that I can get from the local county composting yard. Pile it up high and you can use it in the garden in springtime..lol..We bring our own trailer, they load it up for us, and it is FREE!!..lol
Love me like I am. farmgirl #801
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4HMom
True Blue Farmgirl
720 Posts
Kelly
Montana
720 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2010 : 12:49:54 PM
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I have a couple of pallets in there for them...it gets them above the muck and they can get outside and keep their feet dry.
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -Gandhi |
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CherryPie
True Blue Farmgirl
935 Posts
Kimberly Ann
Puyallup
WA
USA
935 Posts |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2010 : 4:25:13 PM
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When we have a wet season, I too use pallets, that way air can still get to the wet, so mold and mildew don't form near as easy, and when the dry weather is back, the pallets can be stored for next time, just about anywhere.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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Sarahpauline
True Blue Farmgirl
672 Posts
sarah
Ringgold
GA
USA
672 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2010 : 7:00:39 PM
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I have this problem with my horses. I have NO idea what to do about them apart from get a thousand dollars worth of crush delivered...:s
Not all those who wander are lost...
www.SarahPauline.com
www.AbraxasBaroque.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Sarahpauline
True Blue Farmgirl
672 Posts
sarah
Ringgold
GA
USA
672 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2010 : 10:22:50 PM
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Alee, that is a great idea. I am not sure what we are going to do, we are starting construction on the new barn as soon as the ground thaws out so whatever we do, we will do it then. We have clay soil that holds the water for ever no drainage at all. It may be that we use a combination of drains and crush, at least in the barn area where it gets the worst. Thanks for the tip!
Not all those who wander are lost...
www.SarahPauline.com
www.AbraxasBaroque.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jan 16 2010 : 08:06:49 AM
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You are welcome, Sarah! If I get to build my own barn I am going to look into installing a large french drain that will run under all the stalls and sloping the runs so ultimately the run off/drainage will run into another area where another drain is buried. If I have the money I might install a drain right under where the runs will have access to the barn as that area seems to get the most moist in my experience. I am also going to make sure my barn has a good gutter system because I think that will help keep the extra water from run off from getting into the runs. :D
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 |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jan 16 2010 : 08:55:56 AM
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In my experience, french drains do not work for long or well in heavy clay soil, you are better off with a leach line system.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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Sarahpauline
True Blue Farmgirl
672 Posts
sarah
Ringgold
GA
USA
672 Posts |
Posted - Jan 16 2010 : 11:29:22 AM
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Kimberly Ann, I am sorry I hijacked your thread. But thank you Alee and Teresa, food for thought! I will certainly be researching the possibilities. In the UK they just tarmac everything...8-/
Not all those who wander are lost...
www.SarahPauline.com
www.AbraxasBaroque.com |
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mscountrygirl
True Blue Farmgirl
552 Posts
Michelle
Lucedale
Mississippi
USA
552 Posts |
Posted - Jan 21 2010 : 11:28:55 AM
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I live in MS and we have been hammered lately. I have 25 chickens in a fairly large chicken house. I use pine straw, because it's free ( we live in the Pine Belt) and I got about 100 lbs of oyster shell. I put the shell first and then the straw. This covers calcium as well as helping with the muck. I use hay in addition to it as well on the laying side with the laying boxes. I will be using some of the suggestions mentioned in the future. The french drain may work in the goat pen I am hoping to build soon!
It's all good! |
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Barnyard Buddies: Ideas for a mucky chicken run? |
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Ideas for a mucky chicken run?
