Haven't read the whole thread but I agree with deep litter. I don't use the leaves and grass clippings however. (They tend to cause more "slime" than dry wood shavings and chips.)
Often tree services will drop off wood chips free if you ask them to. I have a service that knows that I don't want any poison plants (like yew) and only from areas that haven't been sprayed with herbicides or other chemicals. I have them put them in a pile and don't use them until they "cure". I know they're ready when they have worms living in them - about 6-8 mos.
I use the chips in addition to the litter from inside the chicken house when it needs to be cleaned. I use wood SHAVINGS inside. So that makes wood CHIPS and wood SHAVINGS in the outdoor run.
Makes the most healthy ground you'll ever see. No impacted, slimy, disease-producing ground. No puddles in the rain. No stink. Healthy soil breaking down under full of worms that can be used for garden soil if you need to remove some.
@MrsAuberry00
Often tree services will drop off wood chips free if you ask them to. I have a service that knows that I don't want any poison plants (like yew) and only from areas that haven't been sprayed with herbicides or other chemicals. I have them put them in a pile and don't use them until they "cure". I know they're ready when they have worms living in them - about 6-8 mos.
I use the chips in addition to the litter from inside the chicken house when it needs to be cleaned. I use wood SHAVINGS inside. So that makes wood CHIPS and wood SHAVINGS in the outdoor run.
Makes the most healthy ground you'll ever see. No impacted, slimy, disease-producing ground. No puddles in the rain. No stink. Healthy soil breaking down under full of worms that can be used for garden soil if you need to remove some.
@MrsAuberry00
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