floor of covered run.

[chickykids]

I am a new chicken owner (chicks not quite here yet) and have a question about my coop/run setup. My coop/run is located at the edge of our woods and is covered. During construction we had leveled the land with topsoil and it became compacted. I had heard that chickens do best in their natural environment and that forest floor would be a good material for them to reside in. Since I live surrounded by woods I figured that I would just transport some of the forest floor material back into the run.

My question is: Will this be good for them? Will it be durable? Is it "sanitary"? or should I get wood chips?

The material is mostly leaf litter, pine needles and small sticks.

Thanks!

 

[DucksAreBest]

Hello, welcome to BackYard Chickens! Thank you for joining our community.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. No issues in using locally available resources imo. Do make sure that there is an area of “loose soil“ to allow your flock to dust-bathe also.

 

[swampfox440]

Welcome to BYC !

 

[Grammy60]

Hello and welcome to BYC We are happy you have joined us.

 

[Tonyroo]

Welcome to BYC , using woodland leaf litter is good source but do a smell test for each pile for mold and it should be completely dry.

 

[N F C]

Thanks for joining!

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens this is great place to explore and you have been given great advice

 

[Starburst]

Hi, and welcome to BYC! So excited that you're here!
Make yourself at home in this poultry-loving community!
I agree with what has already been said - make sure that they have some dirt to dust bathe in and that it isn't moldy or anything, and you should be good to go!