Wood Chips or Bark
When choosing the right surface for a chicken run, chicken keepers must consider the climate and the well-being of their flock. Frequent or heavy rainfall can quickly turn bare soil into a muddy mess, which can cause issues like bumblefoot in chickens. Hardwood chips or bark prevent waterlogging and keep the surface firm and relatively dry, creating a cleaner and healthier environment for chickens to roam and forage.
Chickens are natural foragers and enjoy scratching through substrates in search of insects and seeds. Wood chips can mimic a forest floor, encouraging chickens to indulge in their natural behaviours like digging, pecking, and dust bathing. This reduces their boredom and stress, which is crucial for preventing aggressive behaviour within the flock.
Unlike straw or hay, which can become compact and start to rot in damp conditions, wood chips and bark break down slower and stay aerated. This reduces the rate of unpleasant odours and helps prevent pests and parasites. Wood chips can even be used to form a deep litter system, which, over time, can produce nutrient-rich mulch.
In the UK, wood chips are readily available from tree surgeons, garden centres, and landscaping suppliers. Untreated hardwood chips are safer for chickens and many suppliers provide sustainably sourced bark and wood chips, making them an eco-friendly choice.
Grass: Natural but Temporary
While it's inherently temporary, grass is still one of the best surfaces for poultry enclosures in the UK. Grass serves as the ideal setting for chickens to engage in their natural behaviours. From pecking and scratching to dust bathing and hunting insects, grass gives chickens constant stimulation; this mental and physical enrichment contributes to the well-being of your chickens and reduces stress-induced behaviours like feather pecking.
Fresh grass is rich in chlorophyll, vitamins, and minerals, which are essential to a chicken's natural diet. Chickens like to graze on tender grass blades, and any insects and worms in the soil add protein to their food intake, making grass both an ideal surface and food source.
Unlike hard or muddy surfaces, grass is soft and gentle on chickens' feet, reducing the risk of foot injuries. For backyard chicken keepers, grass blends in naturally into a garden landscape, and it's more visually appealing than bark or concrete.
However, grass isn't durable. Chickens will quickly strip the vegetation, especially in small or high-traffic areas. This degradation leads to the soil becoming bare and muddied, which is particularly problematic regarding the UK's wet climate. Rotating grazing systems or using movable chicken tractors can give grassy patches more time to grow and recover throughout the year.
While grass isn't a permanent surface, its natural, enriching qualities make it one of the best surfaces to start with.
Sand: Easy to Clean and Manage
Sand is one of the best surface materials for chicken runs in the UK, especially for keepers who prioritise hygiene, easy cleaning, and low maintenance. When sand is managed correctly, it provides a practical, healthy, and comfortable environment for backyard flocks. Unlike soil or grass, sand doesn’t retain moisture, meaning it stays firm and dry underfoot. This reduces the risk of odours and health issues such as bumblefoot or respiratory issues caused by damp and mould.
Sand is also incredibly easy to clean since any droppings can be sifted out using a litter scoop or a fine rake. This simple routine helps keep the chicken run smelling fresh and hygienic with minimal effort. Clean sand also reduces the build-up of ammonia, reducing the appearance of flies and the spread of disease.
Sand encourages chickens to indulge in their natural behaviour while helping them stay clean by removing excess oil and parasites from their feathers during dust baths. Unlike bark, straw, or grass, sand doesn’t degrade quickly and a good-quality builder’s sand or washed river sand can last for years, making it extremely cost-effective.
To get the most out of sand, it's best to use coarse builder’s sand or river sand, not play sand, since it can cause respiratory irritation. In short, sand is easy to manage, hygienic, weather-resistant, and comfortable for chickens to enjoy all year round.
Gravel or Stones
Gravel or stones may not be the most obvious choice for chicken run surfaces, however, they are one of the best options for many poultry keepers in the UK. Gravel and stones provide excellent drainage, allowing rainwater to filter through rather than pool on the surface. This helps keep the surface cleaner and drier for your flock, significantly reducing the risk of bumblefoot and lowering the risk of parasites.
Unlike organic materials like wood chips or straw, gravel doesn’t break down over time. Once it's installed, it rarely needs maintenance or replacements. Occasionally raking and hosing down gravel can keep it fresh and functional, helping busy chicken keepers save time.
Stones and gravel also help suppress mud, especially in high-traffic areas near feeders, waterers, or coop entrances. This keeps the chickens cleaner and also reduces the spread of droppings and odours. When gravel is combined with a proper drainage layer or landscaping fabric, gravel acts as a natural filter that helps manage waste and water runoff effectively.
Gravel is especially useful in areas that are prone to frequent scratching, dust bathing, or walking. Gravel and stones hold up under pressure and don't compact or rot, helping to keep the run stable and dry.
It's recommended that keepers use medium-sized gravel (not sharp or jagged stones) or a mix of smaller pebbles and sand to create a smooth, comfortable surface for chickens. It’s best to combine gravel with other materials like sand or wood chips in a multi-layered system that's tailored to different parts of the run.
We provide fast, reliable wood chip delivery services for gardens, chicken runs, and landscaping projects across the UK. Our sustainably sourced wood chips help with drainage, weed control, and natural ground cover.
