![]() ![]() In addition, grass is itself a natural source of food for chickens, providing them with essential nutrients and serving as an ecosystem for smaller creatures that they eat.Īnd, since chickens love to peck, forage, scratch and dig, it can help to keep them entertained. It provides a soft surface for the chickens to walk on and helps to keep the run clean by anchoring soil and absorbing droppings. Grass can also be an excellent if short-lived ground cover for a chicken run. In addition, gravel can be significantly more expensive than some of the other options on this list and is much heavier when it comes time to move it.īut if you are looking for a ground cover that is non-organic and will last a long time gravel is a great choice. ![]() First of all, certain types it can be hard on your chicken’s feet, so you’ll want to make sure you take great care in selecting a smooth variety. However, gravel has a couple of drawbacks. Gravel is also easy to clean – just rake it around and replace any depleted spots. For one thing, it drains well, so it’s perfect for rainy climates. Gravelįor those of us with backyard chickens, gravel may not be the first thing that comes to mind when we think of ground cover.īut in fact, gravel has a number of advantages as a chicken-friendly ground cover. Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: The Best Ground Material for Your Chicken Run – Five Minute Chicken Tips! () 4. And finally, straw can harbor insects and other organisms, which may or may not be an issue chickens love to eat worms and insects, but parasites will be problematic!Īs a result, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of using straw before making a decision. In addition, some chickens like to eat straw, which could lead to digestive problems. First of all, it does not last very long, so it will need to be replaced frequently. However, straw also has a few disadvantages to manage. In addition, it provides good drainage and aeration, and it can help to keep the run dry and clean. Straw has a few advantages – it’s relatively inexpensive, easy to handle and it’s easy to find. One popular choice for chicken runs is straw. The Best Ground Covers for Your Chicken Run 1. Chickens spend much of their time on their feet, and even though they are tough they aren’t invincible, so the ground cover should be easy to walk on and relatively gentle on their feet.Ī variety of materials can meet these criteria, and depending on your environment, local weather, the personality of your birds, the type of run and other factors one might serve you better than others.īut no matter what your circumstances, you can rest assured that there is a ground cover that will be perfect on the list below. Third, it should be comfortable for the chickens to walk on. Chickens love to scratch and dig, so anything that will make for good digging without hurting them or breaking their nails is a good thing. Second, it should be durable enough to withstand scratches and digging. First, it should be absorbent to help keep the run dry and clean.ĭroppings from chickens and precipitation can turn the ground of the run into slurry, so you’ll want something that can drain readily and give the chickens a nicer surface to walk on. There are several things to look for in a good ground cover material. You’ll also be spending plenty of your own time maintaining it and walking over it yourself, so the ground cover should help your efforts, not hurt them. One of the most important is the ground cover.Īfter all, chickens spend a lot of time on the ground, so you want to make sure they have a comfortable and safe place to roam. ![]() When it comes to outfitting a chicken run, there are many things to consider. Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: The Best Ground Material for Your Chicken Run – Five Minute Chicken Tips! () What Makes a Good Ground Cover? ![]()
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