[Declan]

I keep me girls on grass- it seems to be the optimum material. As the winter draws in and the summer comes to an end (what summer I hear you shout) the grass is running out and with no/little growing should i let my run get into a muddied state. The alternative is crumbed rubber- it is advertised in the PP and other smallholder mags. Can I have your thoughts and more specifically does anyone see anything wrong with using it all the time in a confined run?
Thanks in advance

[little blue]

Be sure the pieces are very large - I wouldn't trust my girls, they'd eat them!
Is there any way to block off part of the run to reseed?

[doganjo]

I have the same problem.  On the advice of someone on here I tried sharp sand.  It worked for a while till the heavens opened again and now they are ankle deep in mud again.  So next step is to dig it all out to base ground level,weed membrane on top, then gravel on top.  Sandy's hens and ducks are on gravel and I think it's the best thing I've seen.  Grass might start growing again once I shift the ducks out of there too.

[chickenfeed]

 :we had the very same problem a few years ago so we laid down a thick layer of sharp sand, a good form of grit during dry times very good for dust baths then during the wet season a regular bale or two of straw this gives them a naural enviroment with plenty of entertainment scratching aroung and the straw helps dry the ground it is how poultry was kept years ago in straw yards. easy to keep clean aswell.