Grass Clippings. Great for Run. Bad for Coop.

[XanderWiFi]

@Kayla's Lunch Many people use deep litter in their run but dry bed method in coop. Most small number chicken keepers do not have coops big enough to accomplish deep litter methods. Dried leaves work well, but pine shavings are great for dry bed method which is basically layering deep dry bedding that you consistently "stir" so that droppings continuously move to the bottom and dry out to eventually break down. However, because shavings break down so slowly it rarely makes for a good deep litter bedding.

 

[llombardo]

What do yo mean by 'mulch'?

Pics of your run would help.

There is wood mulch under there. It gets kicked around so it's spread out pretty good. Not sure if I should add more? Maybe once I stop cutting the grass, add more mulch and the leaves? There will be a lot more pine cones too.
So far it's working well and they are loving it

 

[aart]

There is wood mulch under there.

So like bagged mulch from the garden store...
.....or wood chippings from tree trimmers ....
..or..something else

The larger tree chippings I use seem to last a long time, which is good as they are the best base ingredient for decomposing the poops...you just have to keep adding stuff to keep the litter in balance to either create compost or just reduce odors. Dry stuff is best for reducing odors, more green stuff can be added if compost for garden fertilizer is your goal.

 

[llombardo]

Right now it's regular wood mulch from the store, but every Spring I get mulch from the township that is from chipping trees. I can get as many truck loads as needed. The grass clippings have been in there for over a week and they are still pretty green. The stuff I didn't grab is pretty dried up and yellow in the front yard. So I'm thinking I want mostly wood chips in there once the weather changes and the snow comes.

The grass clippings give them a softer area and kerp it from being mud.

 

[aart]

I can get as many truck loads as needed. The grass clippings have been in there for over a week and they are still pretty green. The stuff I didn't grab is pretty dried up and yellow in the front yard.

If you've got a good place for them to dump a load, good to let it age for a few months before adding to run, fresh chippings can be pretty 'wet' and host massive mold growth in amounts that can be toxic to the birds.

I usually let my grass grow pretty long and cut it before it's going to be dry for few days, then gather after it's dried and add it to the run. Hard to time it right, but it sure is a great addition to the mix.

 

[llombardo]

If you've got a good place for them to dump a load, good to let it age for a few months before adding to run, fresh chippings can be pretty 'wet' and host massive mold growth in amounts that can be toxic to the birds.

I usually let my grass grow pretty long and cut it before it's going to be dry for few days, then gather after it's dried and add it to the run. Hard to time it right, but it sure is a great addition to the mix.

So get it in Spring and add mid to late summer. Got it. I can do that.

 

[aart]

So get it in Spring and add mid to late summer. Got it. I can do that.

Can depend on when they chip it...if they cut the branches and grind it up when tree is in full leaf, the mix is going to be wetter. I assume they bring it to you when it's just been chipped.