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Leaves in the run?

post #1 of 15
Thread Starter 

I've been researching this on BYC and getting many different answers.

I'd love to recycle some of the leaves from our Oak and Birch trees in the yard.  I was thinking about putting them in the chicken run, which is all dirt.  I'm hoping next spring to add some sand/gravel mix but until then thought the leaves could help with the wet factor and give the birds some entertainment.  Some people say the leaves can be toxic to chickens, others say they've done it for years with no problems.

I know some people use them in their coop too, but I like pine shavings and they are cheap here, so I will go that route in the coop for winter.

Thoughts?   Advice?   Stories to share?


 

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post #2 of 15

I use leaves all the time!! My chickens love them. You don't even need to spread them they'll do it for you!! thumbsup

Great hubby, 2 kids, 3 furry babies, lots of chickens!!

Blue, Black & Splash Marans. Blue Slate, Narragansett, & Rio Grand Turkeys, 

Guineas & Bob White Quail! NPIP Certified #851

 

 

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Great hubby, 2 kids, 3 furry babies, lots of chickens!!

Blue, Black & Splash Marans. Blue Slate, Narragansett, & Rio Grand Turkeys, 

Guineas & Bob White Quail! NPIP Certified #851

 

 

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post #3 of 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by Barred Babies 

I use leaves all the time!! My chickens love them. You don't even need to spread them they'll do it for you!! thumbsup


x2, I dump a big pile in there and the girls all run to jump and play in the leaves like a bunch of little kids.

Seramas, call ducks, mandarin ducks, and geese SCNA member  MO NPIP pt tested flock 

My website http://ittybittybantiebarn.weebly.com/  

FB poultry group, The Roost- https://www.facebook.com/groups/415500468537164/

 

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Seramas, call ducks, mandarin ducks, and geese SCNA member  MO NPIP pt tested flock 

My website http://ittybittybantiebarn.weebly.com/  

FB poultry group, The Roost- https://www.facebook.com/groups/415500468537164/

 

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post #4 of 15
Thread Starter 

OK, definitely going to try this, should be fun to watch!


 

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post #5 of 15

I agree with everyone! I recently added leaves to my run, the hens went crazy!! I'm pretty treeless at our house, surrounded by pines. So I went to my parents house and raked their yard. They where happy, and my hens were too!!
I'm going to do it every fall. I might even bag some extra's, and store them in the shed, to add more through out the winter.

Chicken "Mom" to a small flock of beautiful Silkies, a cute little pair of Serama, and now a new pen of Lavender Orpingtons!

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Chicken "Mom" to a small flock of beautiful Silkies, a cute little pair of Serama, and now a new pen of Lavender Orpingtons!

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post #6 of 15

yes to leaves, we use them all the time!!

post #7 of 15

Oh my yes yes yes, definitely use leaves.

I use oak & maple leaves, bamboo leaves, and pine needles (some say pine straw), and pine cones too!

My BYC Page has photos ~ Does yours?
My introducing page & visit our Hen House!
I'm so egg-cited! Have an egg-cellent day!

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My BYC Page has photos ~ Does yours?
My introducing page & visit our Hen House!
I'm so egg-cited! Have an egg-cellent day!

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post #8 of 15

It's SO much fun to watch them play in the leaves!  go for it!  They'll have a ball and you will too watching them!

"Be careful about reading health books.  You may die of a misprint." - Mark Twain

Check out my goats and other stuff at http://www.nadalottaranch.com
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"Be careful about reading health books.  You may die of a misprint." - Mark Twain

Check out my goats and other stuff at http://www.nadalottaranch.com
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post #9 of 15

It's SO much fun to watch them play in the leaves!  go for it!  They'll have a ball and you will too watching them!

"Be careful about reading health books.  You may die of a misprint." - Mark Twain

Check out my goats and other stuff at http://www.nadalottaranch.com
Reply
"Be careful about reading health books.  You may die of a misprint." - Mark Twain

Check out my goats and other stuff at http://www.nadalottaranch.com
Reply
post #10 of 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by JulieNKC 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Barred Babies 

I use leaves all the time!! My chickens love them. You don't even need to spread them they'll do it for you!! thumbsup


x2, I dump a big pile in there and the girls all run to jump and play in the leaves like a bunch of little kids.


x3   thumbsup

ƸӜƷ•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸¸.☆

Have Katahdin hair sheep, Silkies, Guineas, Egg Layers, 3 Papillons, 1 toy Poodle, 1 Husband, 2 Cornish Rex cats,

1 aquatic turtle, 2 Kangals and 2 Grt Pyrs on 15 acres of joy.

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ƸӜƷ•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸¸.☆

Have Katahdin hair sheep, Silkies, Guineas, Egg Layers, 3 Papillons, 1 toy Poodle, 1 Husband, 2 Cornish Rex cats,

1 aquatic turtle, 2 Kangals and 2 Grt Pyrs on 15 acres of joy.

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