Floor of the run

[black_cat]

It's basically the same thing but costs money. All the Towns in the area I live in collect branches in the spring and chip or shred them and offer them to the tax payers for free. In the fall they collect bagged leaves and compost them and offer them for free too.

I can find mulch for pretty cheap, but because it's not for chickens it's marketed as retaining moisture? Is that something to worry about?

 

[3KillerBs]

This is the ultimate, having a place to store a big pile delivered.
Then you can add a bit a time to your run, which is the safest.

DH knew we would want them for various purposes so he asked for the truck to be dumped in an out-of-the-way corner.

 

[3KillerBs]

I can find mulch for pretty cheap, but because it's not for chickens it's marketed as retaining moisture? Is that something to worry about?

Mulch retains moisture in the ground underneath it -- helping plants thrive -- for the same reasons that it absorbs and distributes the chicken poop.

Think of it as an absorbent, insulating blanket for the ground. The chickens will keep it fluffy and aerated as it wicks away the moisture from their waste.

 

[aart]

I can find mulch for pretty cheap, but because it's not for chickens it's marketed as retaining moisture? Is that something to worry about?

Some bagged mulch may have dyes and even pesticides.
Read the fine print carefully.
Some of it is very fine and will break down quickly.
Big bark chunks is probably the best you'll find in bags.