AsphaltTons.com — asphalt tonnage calculator

How Much Pea Gravel for a 10x12 Chicken Run?

A 10 by 12 foot chicken run covers 120 square feet. At 3 inches of pea gravel, plan on 1.11 cubic yards, or about 1.6 tons, which answers how much pea gravel for a 10x12 chicken run.

Volume and tonnage calculator →

The math

  1. Area: 120.0 sq ft.
  2. Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
  3. Cubic yards: 120.0 × 0.250 ÷ 27 = 1.11 yd³.
  4. Tons: × about 1.4 tons per yard = 1.6 tons.

The gravel calculator does this for any size.

Pea gravel needed by depth

DepthCubic yardsTons of pea gravelTons +10%
2 in0.741.01.1
3 in1.111.61.7
4 in1.482.12.3
6 in2.223.13.4

Building the chicken run base

Chickens scratch, so a run floor of washed stone 3 to 4 inches deep holds up better than bare soil. Grade the run so water runs out of it, and hose or rake the stone clean as needed.

Prep

Remove sod and roots, level the area and slope it slightly for drainage. Install edging so the stone stays inside the footprint.

Getting it delivered

Small dump trucks commonly carry around 5 to 10 tons and tri-axles more, but loads vary by truck and state, so ask the yard what fits in one trip. Pea gravel is small and rounded, comfortable underfoot, and needs edging because it rolls. Round up by about 10 percent for compaction and uneven ground.

Measuring the area

Measure length and width in feet at a few points and use the largest figures, since real sites are rarely square. For odd shapes, split the area into rectangles and circles, work out each one and add them together. Depth is the number most people underestimate: drive a stake, run a level string and measure down to the dug-out surface in several spots.

Planning the cost

Quarries and landscape suppliers set their own prices, and they change by region and season. Get the price per ton, the delivery fee and the minimum order. If two products will both work, compare cost per square foot at your depth rather than cost per ton.

Questions people ask

How many tons of pea gravel for a 10x12 chicken run?

About 1.6 tons at 3 inches deep.

How many yards of pea gravel for a 10x12 chicken run?

About 1.11 cubic yards.

How many tons of pea gravel are in a cubic yard?

Roughly 1.4 tons for planning, but suppliers vary with stone size and moisture.

Should I put landscape fabric under the stone?

On soft or clay soil, a woven geotextile keeps stone from sinking into the dirt and makes the layer last longer.

Related guides

Open the volume and tonnage calculator → Asphalt tonnage calculator →

As an Amazon Associate, AsphaltTons.com earns from qualifying purchases. Product links below are sponsored.

Related answers