Going to buy some aged wood chips here locally, anything I should look for?

[Chad Oftedal]

I'm having to start from scratch on my run that will be deep litter style. I put one bag of pine shavings a week ago to get everything started and so that it wasn't bare dirt.

I found a local guy nearby here that sells aged wood chips. I'm going to check it out either tomorrow or Monday night. I already told him I didn't want cedar in my run, and that seems fine. From the ad, he has some pretty large piles available, so I think he takes free drops from the tree companies and then sells it off.

Anyhow, with the aged chips, should they pretty much be "safe" by default, or are there some flags to watch out for? From the pictures, these chips are out in the elements, uncovered, so no special treatment during the aging.

I know from previous posts, @aart has said aged ones were ideal, so I'm excited to have located some. I just want to be sure what I get is safe.

Thanks!

 

[aart]

Sounds perfect! Get me a load too, wouldja?

Are you gonna load and haul or is he gonna deliver?

Get yourself one of these...

.....the only tool worth using to move wood chips with.

If you're allowed to pick your pile, dig into the pile and look for wood chips that look a well weathered grayish, but not piles with a bunch of 'dirt' in them(pile too aged). Look for smaller twigs that are still intact and even leaves that are partially broken down and brown, but not green leaves(pile too fresh). Beware of anything slimy or steaming. You may see rootlets, brown like on the fork above, or white, those are good.

That's all can think of now.
Am jeally.....my guys piles are too far gone, last load had a lot of 'dirt', good for a garden path but not so much the chicken runs....am lazy and have not pursued finding more...yet.

 

[Chad Oftedal]

Great! Thanks so much!

I would gladly spring for the pickup load of chips for you, but the shipping might be cost prohibitive.

 

[rosemarythyme]

No black walnut, though that likely isn't an issue in your area. Aart's description is great, I like the stuff that has that slightly grey, weathered look, and with some chunks and pieces since that's better for drainage.

 

[Folly's place]

Sounds good. Not a lot of mold, no black walnut, very little cedar.
And that pitch fork!
Also a garden cart to move it around.
Mary

 

[blackdog043]

What @aart said and definitely get one of those forks, they are great for wood chips/mulch. I used to use a snow shovel, until I discovered those forks a few years ago. Lowes carries the fork.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/True-Temper-48-in-L-Wood-Handle-Steel-Bedding-Fork/50223645

 

[Folly's place]

Depending on the size of the chips, a regular five tined pitch fork works fine too. At TSC or any feed/ livestock supplies store.
Mary

 

[Chad Oftedal]

Thanks everyone! Great info!