How to Fix Muddy Chicken Runs

If kept in a muddy run, chickens may develop internal parasites and the bacterial infection bumblefoot. Since chickens remove grass and vegetation that soaks up water, runs that lack drainage can become muddy after rain. Clean up the mud, then make changes to your chicken run's design to prevent mud from occurring in the future.

Things You'll Need

  • Wood chips or mulch
  • Shovel
  • Landscape rake
  • Polypropylene weed-proof matting
  • Turf protection mat
  • Stakes
  • Wood chips, sand or gravel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cover the chicken run in an organic material, such as wood chips or mulch. Use enough to raise the ground level of the chicken run above the mud. This material will soak the water up from the mud, helping dry out the coop. It will also raise the chickens above the mud to prevent health problems. Wood chips work well; avoid straw or hay since they will break down quickly.

    • 2

      Dig a trench around the chicken coop, creating the ditch 2 feet from the coop fence. The trench provides water with a place to drain before it can reach the coop and cause mud. By building the trench 2 feet from the coop, you ensure that any coop fencing is not weakened. If your coop is at the bottom of a hill, you can also dig a ditch higher up the hill to divert water away from your chickens.

    • 3

      Wait and watch the coop. One batch of organic material should be enough for a minor mud problem. However, if your run was very muddy, the wood chips may become waterlogged. If this happens, remove the wet wood chips and add a fresh layer to continue drawing water from the mud.

    • 4

      Create a permanent fix for your muddy run in dry season. Remove any rocks and debris from the run and level the soil with a landscape rake. Lay down a layer of polypropylene weed-proof matting, which will create a barrier between muddy earth and the surface of the run. To prevent chickens from scratching through the weed-proof matting, lay a turf protection mat on top. Stake down both mats every few inches. Pour at least 3 inches of wood chips, sand or gravel over the mats. This organic material will soak up rain and prevent mud from forming in the future.