Please help , on ground kennel . Gravel ?

[JUDE]

I normally try to keep straw laid inside my 10x10 kennels in an attempt to keep the mud down , can't stand a dirty coat . I am currently thinking about trying driveway gravel , has anyone tried this ? How did it work for you ? I most always shovel my kennels once a day .

Thank you ,
Buddy

[coolbrze]

Pea gravel is smaller gravel, approx. the size of a fingernail. I used it in the past and it was all right, but not as good as the rock dust I'm usuing now. Driveway gravel is 57A, although there are some others. I think pea gravel would work better than it. driveway gravel w/ dust will settle better than pea gravel, but be harder to clean up.

If you're going to do gravel of any sort, do what I did. I put down some crusher run 1st, let it settle via rain, then put your rock dust on top. You'll be good to go. The crusher run keeps the rock dust from sinking into the dirt.

Steve

[Briarhoppers]

I use gravel in my dog kennel and it works well for me. I think straw would hold in moisture and be hard for you dog's feet to be wet all the time. Best way to clean gravel is w/ a garden rake and then put down lime as needed to kill any smell.

Pea gravel is my far the better choice. It does not pack down like 1/2 stone (gravel) and it is not dusty like the gravel. However, the pea gravel will cost you about $20 / ton and the 1/2 stone (gravel) is about $7 - $8 / ton....depending on your area. If you are doing a large area you may want to consider putting down 1/2 stone first about 2" deep and packing it. Then come back and put about 2" of pea gravel on top.

Also, if you do buy the 1/2 stone (gravel) you can buy it "washed" for a few bucks more. This would be much better or you will have gray looking dogs for a while. lol Also, don't get any gravel called "crush and run" unless you use it for a foundation w/ pea gravel on top. And I wouldn't put anything in larger than 1/2".

Good luck,
Pete

[MasonsBeagles]

straw holds moisture and promotes disease. I use lime dust. just a little finer than DGA but still with granules. Soaks up urine and you dont have as bad a smell. Used it for several years know. When you first put it in it is spongy and messy. but after getting wet and drying out a couple of times it will pack like concrete. All you have to do is rake it out every day and your done.

[mjd]

i always used gravel until i started keeping dogs in the house due to people poisoning them,i liked it because it keeps their pads tough,never had a dog get sore,worked with the coon hounds and the beagles,make sure you dont have a rock eater though,also i always put galvanized chain link down first in case you have a digger,if you have a roof above or dry weather just hose it down good once a week or so and youll have no urine smell

[TC]

I like the pea gravel myself like the earlier said it does toughen up the pads but it will also encourage those pups with spreading toes to tighten their feet up. It is easier to clean then straw, and big gravel cause you can use a rake. Spray it down with bleach once in a while and rake it around. Nothing is perfect when it comes to doggy doo and urine, but I prefer the pea gravel to the bigger gravel and straw.

[JUDE]

Thank you all Guys , your input really means a lot to me
This site just rocks


Buddy