Best Flooring Types For Chicken Run? Prices, Installation Cost, Pros and Cons

Choosing the right flooring for your chicken run is crucial for the health and safety of your flock. The ideal chicken run flooring should be predator-resistant, easy to clean, comfortable for chickens, and affordable. Different flooring options offer varying benefits in terms of durability, maintenance requirements, and protection against predators that dig from below. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the most effective flooring options for chicken runs, examining their costs, installation requirements, and the advantages and disadvantages of each type to help you make an informed decision for your backyard flock.

Dirt and sand represent the most natural and economical flooring options for chicken runs. These materials allow chickens to engage in natural behaviors like dust bathing and scratching.

Plain dirt costs virtually nothing, while play sand costs approximately $3-$6 per 50-pound bag. For a typical 10×10 chicken run with 2-3 inches of sand, you’ll need about 15-20 bags, totaling $45-$120.

Installation is straightforward, involving leveling the ground and optionally laying hardware cloth underneath to prevent predators from digging in. This additional protection costs about $1-$2 per square foot.

Pros of Dirt and Sand

• Most economical option
• Allows natural scratching behavior
• Provides good drainage (especially sand)
• Easy to replace when soiled
• Sand can help control parasites

Cons of Dirt and Sand

• Requires frequent maintenance
• Can become muddy during rain
• Offers minimal predator protection without additional barriers
• May harbor parasites if not properly maintained
• Sand can be cold in winter months

Hardware Cloth and Wire Mesh

Hardware cloth and wire mesh provide excellent protection against digging predators while allowing droppings to fall through, making them popular choices for raised chicken runs.

Hardware cloth typically costs $1-$2 per square foot, with 1/4-inch or 1/2-inch mesh being ideal for chicken runs. For a 10×10 run, expect to pay $100-$200 for materials alone.

Installation requires securing the wire mesh to a wooden frame or trench-burying it around the perimeter. Additional costs include staples, zip ties, and lumber for framing, adding approximately $50-$150 to the total project cost.

Pros of Hardware Cloth

• Superior predator protection
• Excellent drainage
• Allows droppings to fall through
• Long-lasting if properly installed
• Can be combined with other materials

Cons of Hardware Cloth

• More expensive than natural options
• Can be uncomfortable for chickens’ feet
• May require additional bedding on top
• Labor-intensive installation
• Potential for sharp edges that need covering

Concrete Flooring

Concrete offers the most permanent and predator-proof solution for chicken runs, though it comes with higher upfront costs and installation complexity.

Materials cost approximately $4-$6 per square foot for a 4-inch thick concrete slab. A 10×10 chicken run would require about $400-$600 for materials, plus potentially $300-$500 for professional installation if you don’t DIY.

Installation involves site preparation, creating forms, pouring concrete, and finishing the surface. This often requires specialized tools and knowledge, making it one of the more challenging options to install yourself.

Pros of Concrete

• Virtually predator-proof
• Extremely durable and long-lasting
• Easy to clean and sanitize
• Prevents mud formation
• Discourages rodents and pests

Cons of Concrete

• Highest initial cost
• Prevents natural scratching behaviors
• Hard on chickens’ feet without bedding
• Poor drainage without proper sloping
• Permanent installation that limits flexibility
• Can be cold in winter months

Gravel and Stone Flooring

Gravel and crushed stone provide good drainage while creating a barrier against digging predators. They’re moderately priced and relatively easy to install.

Gravel costs approximately $30-$65 per ton or $3-$5 per 50-pound bag. A typical 10×10 chicken run with 2-3 inches of gravel requires about 1.5-2 tons, costing $45-$130, depending on whether you purchase bags or bulk material.

Installation involves leveling the ground, optionally laying down landscape fabric to prevent weed growth (adding $20-$30), and spreading the gravel evenly. This is typically a straightforward DIY project.

Pros of Gravel

• Excellent drainage
• Easy to clean by raking
• Good predator deterrent
• Durable and long-lasting
• Prevents mud formation

Cons of Gravel

• Can be uncomfortable for chickens’ feet
• Difficult to remove droppings completely
• Moderate initial cost
• May require occasional replenishment
• Harder to integrate with dust bathing areas

Wood Chips and Mulch

Wood chips and mulch create a natural, comfortable surface that’s economical and easy to replace. They work well as a top layer over other base materials.

Wood chips typically cost $3-$5 per 2-cubic-foot bag at garden centers, or $30-$60 per cubic yard when purchased in bulk. A 10×10 chicken run with 3-4 inches of wood chips requires approximately 1-1.5 cubic yards, costing $30-$90 depending on your source.

Installation simply involves spreading the material evenly across the run. For better results, combine with hardware cloth underneath for predator protection, adding $100-$200 to the project.

Pros of Wood Chips

• Comfortable for chickens
• Allows natural scratching behavior
• Absorbs moisture and odors
• Biodegradable and environmentally friendly
• Relatively inexpensive

Cons of Wood Chips

• Requires regular replacement (every 2-3 months)
• Can become moldy in wet conditions
• Minimal predator protection alone
• Can attract pests if not maintained
• May decompose quickly in high-traffic areas

Deep Litter Method

The deep litter method uses a combination of bedding materials like straw, hay, or pine shavings that are allowed to compost in place, creating a renewable flooring system.

Initial materials cost $10-$15 per bale of straw or $5-$7 per compressed pine shaving bale. A 10×10 chicken run typically requires 3-4 bales to start, costing $15-$60, with additional material added monthly at approximately $5-$15 per month.

Implementation involves laying an initial 4-6 inch layer and regularly adding fresh material while allowing the lower layers to decompose. This system works best when combined with a solid floor or hardware cloth base.

Pros of Deep Litter

• Creates beneficial microorganisms that combat pathogens
• Generates heat during decomposition (beneficial in winter)
• Allows natural scratching and foraging behavior
• Produces valuable compost as a byproduct
• Reduces daily cleaning requirements

Cons of Deep Litter

• Requires regular management and additions
• Can become soggy in rainy weather
• Minimal predator protection alone
• May develop ammonia smell if not properly maintained
• Needs complete replacement 1-2 times yearly

Rubber Mats and Stall Mats

Rubber mats provide a durable, easy-to-clean surface that can be used alone or in combination with bedding materials on top.

Horse stall mats cost approximately $40-$70 per 4×6-foot mat, while interlocking rubber tiles run $3-$5 per square foot. For a 10×10 chicken run, you’ll need 4-5 stall mats, totaling $160-$350, or about $300-$500 for interlocking tiles.

Installation involves preparing a level surface, laying the mats, and securing them in place. This is relatively simple but requires some strength as the mats are heavy (60-100 pounds each for stall mats).

Pros of Rubber Mats

• Extremely durable and long-lasting
• Easy to clean and disinfect
• Provides good insulation from cold ground
• Can be removed and relocated if needed
• Creates a barrier against ground-dwelling pests

Cons of Rubber Mats

• Higher initial cost
• Heavy and sometimes difficult to manipulate
• May require additional drainage solutions
• Can be slippery when wet
• May develop odors if not cleaned regularly

Comparison of Chicken Run Flooring Options

Flooring Type	Cost (10×10 run)	Durability	Predator Protection	Maintenance
Dirt/Sand	$0-$120	Low	Poor	High
Hardware Cloth	$150-$350	High	Excellent	Low
Concrete	$400-$1,100	Very High	Excellent	Low
Gravel/Stone	$45-$160	High	Good	Medium
Wood Chips	$30-$90 (initial) + replacement	Low	Poor	High
Deep Litter	$15-$60 (initial) + monthly cost	Medium	Poor	Medium
Rubber Mats	$160-$500	High	Good	Medium

Combining Flooring Methods for Optimal Results

Many chicken keepers find that combining multiple flooring methods creates the best environment for their flock. Common combinations include hardware cloth covered with sand or wood chips, or concrete with deep litter on top.

This hybrid approach allows you to benefit from the predator protection of permanent options while still providing comfortable scratching surfaces for your chickens. For example, using hardware cloth as a base layer with 2-3 inches of sand on top costs approximately $145-$320 for a 10×10 run but offers excellent protection and comfort.

Consider your climate, predator pressure, and maintenance preferences when selecting the ideal combination. In rainy climates, prioritize drainage with gravel bases, while in areas with high predator populations, hardware cloth or concrete foundations are essential.

Remember that different areas of the run may benefit from different flooring types – using rubber mats near feeding stations for easy cleaning while maintaining natural surfaces elsewhere provides a balanced environment for your chickens.