[Alex_]

I am getting some hens again after a few years off from having poultry. I have kept chickens on the deep layer system and on sand.

This time I am converting an old greenhouse into a run and I am unable to decide if I should top the existing paving slabs with straw or sand.

I found straw led to more poop balls on feet that I would wash off in a chicken bath and I went through a lot of straw, but I also gained a lot of compost and it’s less work chucking straw down for the girls to spread.

Sand is more work as I have to use a poop scoop and clear waste out but no poop balls on toes. The other thing with sand is it is colder and the new run is in a shadier spot with less sun hitting the ground.

I am hoping to get other peoples thoughts.

[Richmond]

Will this run be exposed to the weather or will it be under a roof so the floor stays dry?
Straw in a hen house attracts red mite and personally I would not use it at all. It might be ok in a covered run though.
Sand is probably the better option for covering slabs with, but is there any reason why you can't remove the slabs, dig out the run to a depth of 4 - 6 inches and backfill with wood chip? This would give the hens the option to dig themselves a nice deep dusting crater.
Hens won't worry about the sand being cool, they will probably prefer it.

[Alex_]

Will this run be exposed to the weather or will it be under a roof so the floor stays dry?
Straw in a hen house attracts red mite and personally I would not use it at all. It might be ok in a covered run though.
Sand is probably the better option for covering slabs with, but is there any reason why you can't remove the slabs, dig out the run to a depth of 4 - 6 inches and backfill with wood chip? This would give the hens the option to dig themselves a nice deep dusting crater.
Hens won't worry about the sand being cool, they will probably prefer it.

The roof is intact, the sides are replaced with steel mesh.
The slabs are concreted in but they will still have an area for a dust bath.

[doganjo]

Mine have wood chip, which is readily available after one of the storms we're getting these days. They love it as there's bugs in it from the trees

You might get it from charities for as small donation - woodland communities for instance.