Regarding wood chips; no cedar. Otherwise, go for it.Thanks all. I think my Dad wants to try wood chips, and I plan to go with that because I think it will be healthier than the bark mulch (for one thing I've read that bark mulch can harbor aspergillosis and can hold water (which is why its useful for plants). Are there any pitfalls that I should be aware of with the wood chips (I'm hoping we can get a kind that will weather well - not mold - and be reasonably soft for their feet).
I think (I will read up on it), I may try some variation of the deep litter method to help with the organic material (shavings, leaves, etc in the run).
Also, do you have any suggestions on accommodating their urge to scratch (maybe putting a layer of sand underneath the chips). I noticed two of my chickens kicking the bark mulch everywhere today, and one of them taking a dust bath in it. It started me thinking that they may not be able to do that as easily with the chips (depending on what size they are).
Thanks,
Susan
Regarding scratching and generally wreaking havoc in the bedding? Not a darn thing you can do. Sand won't hurt, but it will eventually be mixed in.
Take heart in the fact that even as they scratch it in piles, they will scratch it out again.
Make sure the sides of your run are deep enough to accommodate deep litter and the scratching.