new chicken run- your thoughts please

[madlentileater]

so, everything is being re organised in our garden. I'm planning on a new permanent run for our hens (4 big ones and 2 bantams, to be joined later by 3 other bantams, but that's another story)
I have quite a big patch, so my plan is to fence off half, and let them use one half, then swap after about 6 mths. Question is what to put on the ground? there are borders with hedges on 2 sides. Currently there is hardcore down. I was thinking of a leyer of sand, then a permeable membrane, then barck chippings, but I have read bark chippings no good for hens? Point is I want it to drain well as v wet here, their current run is like a quagmire at times.

You need landscaping bark not mulching bark iirc.

I use some chunky horse deep bedding stuff (can't remember which though, so i'm not much help am I? ), which is like fat woodchips in my 'indoor' run. dries well and can be composted. We live below sea level

When I went on a beginners day I'm sure they recommended gravel with landscaping bark on top...

I use aubiose in the big run which is covered over - horse bedding, and big wood chip that my mum made me in the little run which is not covered.

thank you
what's the difference between landscaping bark and mulching bark?
and are you supposed to replace it or just add more on top?
It will be a big area so I don't want to replace it - or at least not often.

Rubber chips are supposed to be brilliant but haven't seen them in 'real life'. Apparently, you just hose them down and they last for ever.

I use Easibed or Bliss in the covered run. Free-range rest of time, so don't have to think about outside floor cover but if I did, I would definitely look into rubber chips.