Bedding in Run

[3KillerBs]

Unless you've got drainage problems and need to raise the level of the ground I see no point to adding sand when you've already got the start of a Deep Litter System going with the wood chips.

Better to mix the wood chips with shavings, straw, last fall's leaves, and other "compost browns" that will absorb and break down the poop. Sand just collects the poop then stinks when it gets wet.

 

[aart]

The chips are all different sizes, some really small and some large, long pieces - is this suitable for them at this age - is it too harsh for them - was thinking of adding sand? I was also thinking of leaving the other half as is - or should I cover that with bedding too?

Great!!
Just leave it as is for now, they'll tear up the grass, then you can add more chips and other dry plant matter.

 

[britinpa]

Unless you've got drainage problems and need to raise the level of the ground I see no point to adding sand when you've already got the start of a Deep Litter System going with the wood chips.

Better to mix the wood chips with shavings, straw, last fall's leaves, and other "compost browns" that will absorb and break down the poop. Sand just collects the poop then stinks when it gets wet.

Thanks. We have just now filled the other half with just the wood chips. We'll add leaves in the fall.

 

[britinpa]

Great!!
Just leave it as is for now, they'll tear up the grass, then you can add more chips and other dry plant matter.

Thanks for your comments - I deliberated for a while, but we've just now filled the other half with the chips. The grass was not very lush in there and the shaley ground helped me decide.

 

[kubotafoot]

Seems fine. I add grass clippings from non fertilized lawn cuttings and the nitrogen really helps cut down the ammonia smell that can get strong, especially in an enclosed area. They eat them, scratch and peck and kick all around and it eventually composts down. Just layer thinly, so as not to cause molding.

 

[donddon]

Seems fine. I add grass clippings from non fertilized lawn cuttings and the nitrogen really helps cut down the ammonia smell that can get strong, especially in an enclosed area. They eat them, scratch and peck and kick all around and it eventually composts down. Just layer thinly, so as not to cause molding.

Agreed, thin layers will be fine. Piles and clumps will hot rot and add ammonia.

 

[JHFinnegan]

We just completed our chicken coop and run a few months ago so I am new to this, but I did months of research before we got our chicks. I now have 2 month old chicks with one momma hen who has adopted the chicks and is showing them the ropes. We have a large run and I started with wood chips. The ground under the wood chips is very hard with a lot of rocks And not great (in my opinion) for scratching and pecking. I ended up gradually replacing the wood chips because they were just too much for my chicks, and they couldn’t really peck and dig through the chips. Over a couple of weeks, I gradually took out the wood chips and added wet leaves and the moist soil from under the leaves to the coop and they LOVE that! They gather and wait at the run door for the wheelbarrow of wet leaves. I now have leaves, moist soil and sand for them and they are very happy

 

[Vicker]

Ditto on them being fine with shaving, flakes or chips. I don't see the need to add sand. Unless you're putting a deep layer of sand in, it's going to virtually disappear. I have sand in a shallow tub that mine take a dust bath in.

 

[britinpa]

We just completed our chicken coop and run a few months ago so I am new to this, but I did months of research before we got our chicks. I now have 2 month old chicks with one momma hen who has adopted the chicks and is showing them the ropes. We have a large run and I started with wood chips. The ground under the wood chips is very hard with a lot of rocks And not great (in my opinion) for scratching and pecking. I ended up gradually replacing the wood chips because they were just too much for my chicks, and they couldn’t really peck and dig through the chips. Over a couple of weeks, I gradually took out the wood chips and added wet leaves and the moist soil from under the leaves to the coop and they LOVE that! They gather and wait at the run door for the wheelbarrow of wet leaves. I now have leaves, moist soil and sand for them and they are very happy

Thank for your comments. That is good to know. We'll keep the woodchips for now (as that is all we have) and see how they get on. Once the leaves start to fall, we'll mulch and add those. Hopefully they'll go into the coop during the day to take their dust baths for now.

 

[britinpa]

Ditto on them being fine with shaving, flakes or chips. I don't see the need to add sand. Unless you're putting a deep layer of sand in, it's going to virtually disappear. I have sand in a shallow tub that mine take a dust bath in.

Thanks! I think I will do that and just add a tub of sand outside somewhere.