Decomposed Granite Is it safe

[BeautifulB]

Decomposed Granite
I want to use decomposed granite in run is it safe for the chickens?

 

[aart]

Hi I’m located in southern Oregon and I converted a 10x10 dog run with a roof and a two formex snap lock chicken coops attached I want to find a run bedding that Keeps down smell easy to clean and inexpensive to do I don’t wanna use straw I don’t wanna use hey I’m thinking about doing sand so that I can scoop it out easier please give me your insight I would greatly appreciate it I also have two ducks and 10 chickens

Sounds crowded...and ducks will make everything wetter(stinkier).
Scooping out 100sqft of sand daily does not sound 'easy to clean' IMO.

Sorry, not a fan of sand. Used it the brooder and eventually it was full of pulverized poop(you cannot sift it all out) and it stunk when the slightest bit damp.

My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.
But I have 500sqft of run for 15 birds.

 

[aart]

Safe as in non-toxic, provided no other ingredients.....
...but not the best substrate for a run.
Hard to 'clean' and with no composting action will become a stinky mess in short time.

Tell us more about your coop and run plans for chickens.
Lots to learn here... and many to help you along the way.

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @BeautifulB
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[EggWalrus]

Granite would make a great foundation for your run.It doesn't compress much and water runs off it. Make sure to build your run/coop on high ground that water drains away from. Have them dump the truck load of granite in the high spot where you want the chickens. Rake it out beyong the perimeter of the run, leaving it crowned (slightly mounded so water drains away.
After that you can go get grass straw, pine straw, bark, leaves or other material to put on top of the granite.

 

[EggWalrus]

If you build a good foundation for your run (no low spots that hold water, everything drains away from coop),then it really doesn't matter which materials you use. I would use the deep litter method above the granite using as many different kinds of natural materials as I could get hold of.

 

[Whitepinefarm]

Love the sand in the run and most importantly so do the chicks. They dust bathe in it, use the grit in it, it has no smell and cleans easily in 5 minutes on a daily basis. I also have it in the coop with the exception of the nest boxes. Works wonderfully. Good luck with your plans.

 

[aart]

Unfortunately we don’t have composting littler like that in our yard

Getting the wood chippings from a tree trimmer is how you get that in your yard.
The pine needles would be a good addition, but won't do much on their own.

 

[BeautifulB]

Safe as in non-toxic, provided no other ingredients.....
...but not the best substrate for a run.
Hard to 'clean' and with no composting action will become a stinky mess in short time.

Tell us more about your coop and run plans for chickens.
Lots to learn here... and many to help you along the way.

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @BeautifulB
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1917090

Hi I’m located in southern Oregon and I converted a 10x10 dog run with a roof and a two formex snap lock chicken coops attached I want to find a run bedding that Keeps down smell easy to clean and inexpensive to do I don’t wanna use straw I don’t wanna use hey I’m thinking about doing sand so that I can scoop it out easier please give me your insight I would greatly appreciate it I also have two ducks and 10 chickens

 

[sorce]

Why not use the pine needles?

Sorce

 

[EggWalrus]

You can also go to vacant lots, the edge of the woods, or the side of roads and fill many bags of green weeds. Chickens eat some weeds, and the ones they don't like will help build compost in your run floor. Throw as much green stuff as you can in there. It takes green and brown stuff to make good compost. Just do a search online for how to make compost. You don't even need to turn it over, the birds will do it for you!