Chickens and Raked Leaves

[LindaN]

I live in Chicago, where it can get pretty darn cold in the winter. So, when it gets really cold I put dried leaves inside my Eglu coop for the chickens to snuggle up in for extra warmth. I use leaves all year round to line the nest box.

Leaves are free and easy to get in the city. I have 2 trees in my backyard that I "harvest" leaves from, and also grab them from the trash of my neighbors. I put the bagged leaves under our porch (in a covered area) to hold for the winter and then pull out the bags as needed.

I also put leaves on my garden beds in the winter.

I love leaves and it's good for me that my most people don't realize how useful they are...leaving more for me!

 

[Elizabeth Ann]

Quote:
I live in Michigan where it does get cold. I guess the leaf situation depends of your coop design. My coop floor is dirt and not so big so I just spot clean it with a pooper scooper and use a little rake to keep things tidy. I only have 7 chickens so it's not too bad and they get to free range all day so I don't have a lot of mess in there and the floor rarely gets wet. The leaves help absorb some of the poop and pee. I like it.