Generic wood chip mulch ok for their run?

[sayccrn]

Hey guys! I am anxiously anticipating the delivery of my enclosure and am trying to prepare my home depot list for the other things I will need. I think I would like to have the wood mulch in the run, with my grass clippings and fall leaves. I am raising them organically. Do I have to get special treated mulch for them to still remain organic. I have no idea if the generic home depot mulch is treated with anything or not. Anyone know? That is my main concern. I do not want any chemicals or toxins to get in my chickens and therefore my eggs.

 

[aart]

Most bagged mulch is dyed and not really large enough to make decent bedding.
If you have a place to store a big pile, chipped tree trimmings are your best bet.

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.

 

[sayccrn]

I don't have a truck to haul anything so it's the bagged stuff or nothing. I found out that there are certified mulches, probably about as good as I can get without having to haul a load from the local dirt business. I like what you did with your run, I see what you did with shade. Impressive. Thank you.

 

[aart]

If you have a place to store a big pile....

......tree trimmers will deliver.

 

[sayccrn]

......tree trimmers will deliver.

yeah for 80$!!

 

[aart]

yeah for 80$!!

The landscape place or tree trimmers?
Most I've heard of are glad to dump them for nothing.
Shop around.

 

[sayccrn]

The landscape place or tree trimmers?
Most I've heard of are glad to dump them for nothing.
Shop around.

Hmm..that's a good question. I really don't know. I know they have huge piles of every kind of dirt you could ever want. Hmm...I will have to do some research on this. Thanks for the tip!

 

[aart]

Hmm..that's a good question. I really don't know. I know they have huge piles of every kind of dirt you could ever want. Hmm...I will have to do some research on this. Thanks for the tip!

Do you have space(10' x 10') in your yard to store a big pile of wood chips?
These chips are not from a landscape company, they are from a tree trimming company. Chipdrop might be an option in your area.
This is two loads(10' x 20'):

 

[sayccrn]

Do you have space(10' x 10') in your yard to store a big pile of wood chips?
These chips are not from a landscape company, they are from a tree trimming company. Chipdrop might be an option in your area.
This is two loads(10' x 20'):
View attachment 2257630

I do, but I have copperheads and where it would go would be their place. That terrifies me enough just to go to the compost bin. EEEKKK When my cats were outside cats they would kill them all time, my one got dry bit as a kitten and her buddy a feral cat died taking the wet bite for her, just 6 months ago.

 

[bvallang]

I would second chipdrop. Very easy, and free as long as you have somewhere they can easily drop the wood chips.