Do I need litter in my run or is bare ok?

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

We have 9 chicks 12 weeks old. They spend daylight to dusk in their run. I can’t remember exact dimensions but it’s close to 8x25. The run is now hard packed dirt and 90 percent of it is uncovered.

Do I need to put wood chips or straw or something down in the run or will it be ok for it to just be hard packed dirt.

Try some dried leaves...plenty of them right now...just make sure they are dry! the chicks will have a blast breaking them up while scratching.

 

[5 Points Wingfeather]

Where, in general, are you located?

Different areas have different materials locally available -- such as pine straw here in the US southeast -- and different weather conditions can make different bedding work better or worse.

For example, my soil is exceedingly, even excessively, well-drained and sandy so I can use straw without the mold issues that some people have -- at least as long as I don't let it pack and mat.

I’m in north Mississippi. Plenty of pine straw around and I can go to a saw mill I think and get free chippings

 

[3KillerBs]

I’m in north Mississippi. Plenty of pine straw around and I can go to a saw mill I think and get free chippings

I love pine straw. It doesn't pack or mat and always dries out quickly even after the heaviest rain.

The drawback is that it's not as absorbent as wood chips.

 

[aart]

I can go to a saw mill I think and get free chippings

Chances are those wood chips are going to be too small.
They'll probably work but will break down too fast and may pack and mold.
You want something from a tree trimmer, good to have a place to store a big pile.

I’m in north Mississippi.

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