Did I waste my money?

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I don't think this will work. The chickens will tear it up before it has time to grow.

I have layer down flock bedding over it, it's like diced up hay. Seed is also mixed in with top soil.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

We have 'barn shoes' and 'barn boots', and that's the only way to manage. They stay in by the door, or in the mudroom (if you have one) and go nowhere else.
Mary

This. Same here.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

It does not stick to your feet like mud does. But, it holds the water to release it slowly to plants, unlike my dirt around here, which is mostly decomposed granite. Water just sits in puddles, or runs off making gullies. Dry the next day. Problem is it compacts and then you get those stagnant puddles where flies & mosquitoes like to breed. Like KIKI said, lots of variety is good. Chickens do like to dust bathe in the peat when its dry.

So I will get pine mulch, if it ever stays dry enough around here!

 

[Parront]

So I will get pine mulch, if it ever stays dry enough around here!

The tree guys sound like the best option. The chickens really don't care if it is pretty like the bagged mulch from the store! There is a guy here who does yard work and has bags of gutter cleanings, leaves and pine needles from our neighborhood. A guy like that has to haul that stuff to the dump and pay to get rid of it, & would be happy to fill your run.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

The tree guys sound like the best option. The chickens really don't care if it is pretty like the bagged mulch from the store! There is a guy here who does yard work and has bags of gutter cleanings, leaves and pine needles from our neighborhood. A guy like that has to haul that stuff to the dump and pay to get rid of it, & would be happy to fill your run.

I'm going to start looking around. Would be great if I can find someone like that.

 

[Parront]

I'm going to start looking around. Would be great if I can find someone like that.

It depends on your neighborhood, some peoples yards are so full of spray and fertilizer, I would not want that even in my chicken run! But here, we are a lot of forest and natural yards, no one sprays or fertilizes the lawn, they mostly don't have lawns. The local paper is where he advertises.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

It depends on your neighborhood, some peoples yards are so full of spray and fertilizer, I would not want that even in my chicken run! But here, we are a lot of forest and natural yards, no one sprays or fertilizes the lawn, they mostly don't have lawns. The local paper is where he advertises.

See I never thought about that. Ugh lol

 

[Parront]

See I never thought about that. Ugh lol

Just the voice of experience here! lol, my old neighborhood in So. Cal, the lawn fertilizer "Weed & Feed" was added with the water every day! Just tree trimmings from that area! Most homeowners do not spray their trees the way they do the lawn. But, your local guy would know his customers, just tell him what you want -- no bug spray, no fertilized lawn clippings. Short grass lawn clippings you have to spread thin and dry, do not put them on in the rainy season or you will get slime. Leaves are always good. Chipped branches with leaves, the best!

 

[Brigid of the Rockies]

Werd

 

[Brigid of the Rockies]

Guys with mowers (and weed whackers) are probably a bigger threat to plantings than chickens! I lost a whole whiskey barrel of flowers to an over-enthusiastic helper who poured fertilizer in it! Straight, without mixing. Planter was dead and black in 24 hours! Have fun with your garden, chickens make great fertilizer. Next year that cedar will be perfect to dress your lawn or roses.

Guys with mowers (and weed whackers) are probably a bigger threat to plantings than chickens! I lost a whole whiskey barrel of flowers to an over-enthusiastic helper who poured fertilizer in it! Straight, without mixing. Planter was dead and black in 24 hours! Have fun with your garden, chickens make great fertilizer. Next year that cedar will be perfect to dress your lawn or roses.

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