"BEDDING":FOR MY CHICKEN RUN - Ask Extension
I am building a small chicken run/henhouse structure (8'x 12') for my backyard in Austin. I've read a lot of information on the internet (some of it ...
Knowledgebase
"BEDDING":FOR MY CHICKEN RUN #820662
Asked February 19, 2023, 8:32 AM EST
I am building a small chicken run/henhouse structure (8'x 12') for my backyard in Austin. I've read a lot of information on the internet (some of it conflicting) on what to use as a base/bedding for the structure. What do you recommend for a material to use that is available in my area and where can I get it? Decomposed granite maybe? Something else? Thanks, Drew Miller
Travis County Texas
Expert Response
Hi Drew,
Unfortunately, Texas A&M AgriLife extension doesn't have a lot of information on backyard chickens. Here is a resource I found from another extension program: https://ucanr.edu/sites/ccmg/files/172575.pdf
Your chickens are going to want to scratch the dirt. Dirt baths and foraging for food are all hard on any chicken run. Decomposed granite is fine, but think of how you will dispose of the chicken manure that will get mixed into it. One strategy is to put some other sort of bedding (like wood chips) on top that you can rake and replace.
You might also consider a chicken tractor: https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/chicken-tractor/. This mobile pen allows you to move the pen around the yard where the manure gets deposited into the grass. You'll have to move it frequently to prevent the poultry manure from killing your grass. Of course the chickens will also want to scratch up your grass to look for bugs.
It's time to think about summer heat too. Here's a blog post about strategies a Travis County Master Garden uses for her flock: https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/2022/09/08/7-summertime-hacks-for-backyard-chickens-by-susan-wozniak/
Unfortunately, Texas A&M AgriLife extension doesn't have a lot of information on backyard chickens. Here is a resource I found from another extension program: https://ucanr.edu/sites/ccmg/files/172575.pdf
Your chickens are going to want to scratch the dirt. Dirt baths and foraging for food are all hard on any chicken run. Decomposed granite is fine, but think of how you will dispose of the chicken manure that will get mixed into it. One strategy is to put some other sort of bedding (like wood chips) on top that you can rake and replace.
You might also consider a chicken tractor: https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/chicken-tractor/. This mobile pen allows you to move the pen around the yard where the manure gets deposited into the grass. You'll have to move it frequently to prevent the poultry manure from killing your grass. Of course the chickens will also want to scratch up your grass to look for bugs.
It's time to think about summer heat too. Here's a blog post about strategies a Travis County Master Garden uses for her flock: https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/2022/09/08/7-summertime-hacks-for-backyard-chickens-by-susan-wozniak/
