Grass in the run

[KingD]

Okay so basically we are talking about mulch. I wasn't sure if there was a certain type of wood that was better than others or that I should stay away from. Do you ever replace it? I would assume as some point you would need fresh wood chips.
Thanks so much for all this great info!

I don't have a huge amount of experience with using wood chips/mulch with poultry but I have friends who have had huge success with doing it.
I don't want to give out false information. The chips I used were pine. Pine is a soft wood therefore meaning it rots quicker.

Being from the UK I'm not an expert on American wood types but I'm guessing a hardwood mulch will be longer lasting and perhaps more hard wearing. I think Cedar is a bit risky to use with hens but someone will have to confirm that.

Like I say, I have no experience with using it in a chicken run so others will have to answer your question more fully I'm afraid.

Best of luck and if you do decide to do it then let us know how it goes as I'd be interested to try it myself in the future!!

 

[Disheygirl]

I had grass. They ate it all and I dumped sand in. Now I’m working on moveable runs that attach to their sand pen so I can put them back on grass and move it around. Almost like a tractor but attached to their other space. I used to have horses, and we’d rotate pastures to ensure the grass was never killed. Going to try that with chickens now.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Steer clear of anything with added dyes or chemicals.

 

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

I just keep adding. Cedar is allegedly not good for chicks respiratory systems, adults, well, I think ppl steer clear of cedar, but I’ve also seen some posts about some use chunks for adults in the open air, and maybe it’s not as evil as it’s supposed to be, but, regular pine mulch is the more safe, accepted thing ppl use..I’d certainly stick to pine rather than the cedar until more definitive answers come along..when I start seeing more dirt than mulch, I just add more mulch..

Yeah, we have lots of Cedar and TX. It smells good but it's not good to use for anything other than posts it seems. I will look for pine mulch when the time comes. Thank you so much! Yall are so wonderful! I love that I can post questions that I am sure most people know and ya'll don't make me feel dumb! This group is the best!

 

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

Ahh..the good old days of thinking I could grow grass and chicken forage in the run..yep, they’ll destroy it all. Use a combination of heavy, chunky chips and the more mulched up bark until you like the consistency..the fine stuf goes away pretty quickly, but they do love to scratch up a new bag or rather pile of it when you put it in there..

Awesome thank you!

I had grass. They ate it all and I dumped sand in. Now I’m working on moveable runs that attach to their sand pen so I can put them back on grass and move it around. Almost like a tractor but attached to their other space. I used to have horses, and we’d rotate pastures to ensure the grass was never killed. Going to try that with chickens now.

Ohhh... let me know how that goes. I would love to see it. I have heard about these mobile runs.

 

[rosemarythyme]

A source would likely be calling tree service companies in your area and asking where they he wood chips end up. You are not looking for fresh chip but need aged chip.

Or call and get chips immediately, and then just let them sit in your yard for a few months or more. If you must use the chips sooner than 6 months or so, skim thin chips off the surface as they're going to be more well aired out and drier (unless it's been raining of course!) and apply chips in thin layers in the run, building up over time.

I just keep adding. Cedar is allegedly not good for chicks respiratory systems, adults, well, I think ppl steer clear of cedar, but I’ve also seen some posts about some use chunks for adults in the open air, and maybe it’s not as evil as it’s supposed to be, but, regular pine mulch is the more safe, accepted thing ppl use..I’d certainly stick to pine rather than the cedar until more definitive answers come along..when I start seeing more dirt than mulch, I just add more mulch..

I use some cedar but I don't know what type(s) of cedar are common in TX. Here, it's western cedar which is less aromatic. I use it in coop and run, but my coop is very well ventilated with high ceilings, so lots of air volume. Also by this point my cedar chips are at least 3 years old, so any aromatic oils have long since dissipated.

Along with western cedar my chip mix also includes hemlock and fir, as those are the branches I had chipped last time the tree company was here.

 

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

Or call and get chips immediately, and then just let them sit in your yard for a few months or more. If you must use the chips sooner than 6 months or so, skim thin chips off the surface as they're going to be more well aired out and drier (unless it's been raining of course!) and apply chips in thin layers in the run, building up over time.

I use some cedar but I don't know what type(s) of cedar are common in TX. Here, it's western cedar which is less aromatic. I use it in coop and run, but my coop is very well ventilated with high ceilings, so lots of air volume. Also by this point my cedar chips are at least 3 years old, so any aromatic oils have long since dissipated.

Along with western cedar my chip mix also includes hemlock and fir, as those are the branches I had chipped last time the tree company was here.

Awesome! Thank you very much!

 

[aart]

Or call and get chips immediately, and then just let them sit in your yard for a few months or more. If you must use the chips sooner than 6 months or so, skim thin chips off the surface as they're going to be more well aired out and drier (unless it's been raining of course!) and apply chips in thin layers in the run, building up over time.

This^^^

How long before they are 'aged' is very variable...depends on how much green leaves might also be in the batch of chippings and what kind of wood it is. Softer woods may rot into almost nothing in 6mo.

The use the outer layer off pile and spread it thinly in the run is a good way to go.
You can also mix a bit of dry plant matter in the run chips, like straw, to help dry the chippings out.

 

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

This^^^

How long before they are 'aged' is very variable...depends on how much green leaves might also be in the batch of chippings and what kind of wood it is. Softer woods may rot into almost nothing in 6mo.

The use the outer layer off pile and spread it thinly in the run is a good way to go.
You can also mix a bit of dry plant matter in the run chips, like straw, to help dry the chippings out.

Thank you!