How do I stop my girls run from getting muddy?

[peggyblackett]

My girls generally free range most days but despite this their run is getting muddy and smelly.

Is there anything I can put down to stop this? I don't want to put aubiose down as it will go everywhere and our garden looks rough enough as it is .

Very interested to see what answers people have...

I put sand down in ours, they loved it

beach sand, not builders!

How do you muck it out cadelaide? Does it just not get very pooey?

I use straw - depends to some extent how large the run is and how easy to access for cleaning..? if undercover it basically just becomes a deep litter system and in the spring you use it for compost.

We use hardwood chips. They sell them at places like B&Q and they're for childrens' play areas. We also have quite a few concrete flagstones laid down on top of sand so they have somewhere to stand when it's raining.

Another thing they like is some large branches scattered around where they can perch away from the mud.

Sounds like hardwood chips are the answer. I'll get some ordered, as both my girls and I (and DH) are getting very fed up with the mud. Thanks everyone :)!