Just thought I'd share some of my experiences with items in the run and yard:
1. With hay: one girl had crop surgery because she kept eating it. I did rotate it out often but it didn't matter. She just enjoyed the hay I guess. So no more hay and her crop has been fine.
2. Wood chips: these have worked the best for covering up mud spots and they get broken down for compost. The only thing I don't like is that I have no control over where the poop goes when they get mixed under by the girls digging. Meaning that they wind up eating some of their poop remains as they break down.
3. Grass: grass was the best for the run because I could pick up the poos often and keep it nice and clean. My problem was the placement of my run - it collected too much water and stayed wet. My solution to this is gradually building up the hill of the run and then re-sodding when I'm sure the water will drain properly.
4. Holly Trees: I just cut down two 60 year old, 30' Holly trees. Have you ever felt those leaves? They stick in your skin and don't let go. I got so tired of raking them up. And if one of the girls stepped on one they would jump straight up in the air. I felt awful for them. I'm having some huge Blue Spruces installed and a weeping cherry in their place.
5. Pine trees: I have not had any problems with the pine needles. But, I mulch under the trees so everything kind of gets mixed in when they dig around. Also, the pines in their yard don't seem to drop many needles. The Spruces are great. I raised the bottom of the tree by cutting off the lower branches. It's their favorite spot to take naps. They are so sheltered under them. The only pine I've seen them eat (and that was only once) was the new growth on the tips when it was really soft. They also tasted my Arborvitae's new growth. Luckily, it didn't lead to regular munching.
1. With hay: one girl had crop surgery because she kept eating it. I did rotate it out often but it didn't matter. She just enjoyed the hay I guess. So no more hay and her crop has been fine.
2. Wood chips: these have worked the best for covering up mud spots and they get broken down for compost. The only thing I don't like is that I have no control over where the poop goes when they get mixed under by the girls digging. Meaning that they wind up eating some of their poop remains as they break down.
3. Grass: grass was the best for the run because I could pick up the poos often and keep it nice and clean. My problem was the placement of my run - it collected too much water and stayed wet. My solution to this is gradually building up the hill of the run and then re-sodding when I'm sure the water will drain properly.
4. Holly Trees: I just cut down two 60 year old, 30' Holly trees. Have you ever felt those leaves? They stick in your skin and don't let go. I got so tired of raking them up. And if one of the girls stepped on one they would jump straight up in the air. I felt awful for them. I'm having some huge Blue Spruces installed and a weeping cherry in their place.
5. Pine trees: I have not had any problems with the pine needles. But, I mulch under the trees so everything kind of gets mixed in when they dig around. Also, the pines in their yard don't seem to drop many needles. The Spruces are great. I raised the bottom of the tree by cutting off the lower branches. It's their favorite spot to take naps. They are so sheltered under them. The only pine I've seen them eat (and that was only once) was the new growth on the tips when it was really soft. They also tasted my Arborvitae's new growth. Luckily, it didn't lead to regular munching.
