Free woodchipps everywhere in the Ice storm states.

[Omran]

Due o the bad Ice storm which has hit most of the midwest to the ohio valley, alotof trees got down, I do also some tree service on a side for living, and now most of the contractors in this business are happy to drop you a load or two for free to get red of it.
So if you think the wood does not has any cedar trees, it might be real good free way for bedding chickencoops.

 

[waynesgarden]

I've used tons of wood chips as mulch in my gardens but I think they are too coarse for bedding in the coop. They are also too wet. They are great to use in the run though if you have muddy conditions.

I prefer dry shavings from milled lumber.

Wayne

 

[miss_jayne]

i just was able to get a nice load from the contractors that trim for the electrical company here!

all i had to do was ask and then i threw in some Sticky Buns for good measure.

 

[phalenbeck]

The chips are great for traction on sidewalks and driveways instead of salt or gravel or dirt. There is a town/county way north on Lake Superior that uses them on road ice and snow. I have planted potatoes filling a V in the dirt with chips and potato eyes in the chips. Easy harvest

 

[farmerbrown]

I have a chipper and we use the wood chips off the farm. I do pile them up for 6 months to let them breath and then they get moved under a carport to dry out for about 3 months before we use them. I read that there fine to use as long as they are not fresh and have had time to air out.

Some of the bagged wood chips have additives in them that make them smell good and that are bad for your chickens.

 

[VT Chick-lit]

phalenbeck: I have planted potatoes filling a V in the dirt with chips and potato eyes in the chips. Easy harvest

I am inerested in how you did this. I want to plant some potatoes, in the spring. I have never planted potatoes before. How big/deep a V? Do the potatoes grow in the chips only or do they migrate out into the dirt? Do you still have to hill them?

I have read that planting potatoes in a stack of tires is an easy way to grow potatoes without having to hill them. You start with one tire filled with dirt and several potato eyes. As the potatoes grow you place another tire on top and fill it with dirt, until you have a stack 4 tires high. I thought I would give it a try but I might change my mind if your way is easier.​

 

[al6517]

Great idea, thanks for sharing it.

AL

 

[chookchick]

I love, love, love woodchip! It is the best, for weed prevention, long-term soil improvement and water retention. And best of all, it is free! It is also great in the run, my hens have the strongest thighs ever, from turning that stuff over. They love it when I throw in another pile that has sat for a while, full of bugs and worms. Did I mention that I love it?

try a pile!

 

[mahen8622]

im in graves county KY and would LOOOOVE a free load or two how do i go about asking for some?

 

[chookchick]

Call up all the local tree pruning/removal companies and tell them that you would like a load if they are in the area. Sometimes it takes persistence and you have to remind them. Tell them you want "no holly!", IMO cedar is fine in a run.