Hay or pine shavings inside protected run?

[PeepsAreForMe]

I currently have hay inside my protected run, which I fluff up every once in a while. There is hardware cloth underneath my run and lots of hay. I put a tarp over it at night and on days when rain is in the forecast. Should I use pine shavings instead? And if so how would I clean that? I've also noticed the hay is attracting earwigs (nasty bugs with pinchers on their butts). I am guessing the girls will just eat them?

One more dilemma - what do my BYC friends do with their confined free-range area? Do you rake the poop? Do you just leave it? It is attracting some flies and I don't like that. I have a bag of PDZ, can I sprinkle that down or will that harm our chickens?

I value your knowledgeable insight and suggestions! Thanks!

 

[FireTigeris]

PDZ should be ok-

Earwigs are chicken food

I rake if there is dirt or sand.

You might want to try both to see which you like better, I'd start a compost pile for the hay or straw or shavings. (I use aspen shavings in the coop but it is closed to rain)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/album/view/id/6177963/user_id/44847