So what do you suggest I put in my run?? I'm worried about leaving my grass alone so I was wondering if I should put down some chips and shavings (not deep bedding, I just don't like that for some reason) and replace it like once a week or two and put what's used into my compost? I'm so new to this and obviously have a lot to learn any advice would be appreciated
The grass will be gone in a short time as they'll eat it down to the bare dirt. My run isn't covered - it gets sun and rain - and the bedding I put in there is usually consumed by the soil. I use pine shavings, leaves, and straw. I don't like straw in the coop as it will mat and is difficult to break down but in the run it breaks down in no time as it's exposed to the elements and the girls constant scratching.
I try to keep a good bit of litter in the run as it encourages those little leaf-eating critters and bugs that the girls love to scratch around for and eat. I have never removed and replaced the run litter as it breaks down into the soil. I only add to it as needed.
