Is mulch mix in run ok?

[Pgw]

Recently had trees mulched from Helene. Had several pines a Sycamore and small cedar. My tree guys mixed a very small cedar with my large pine. I plan to let it all air out in sun at least a few months before using in run. My run is only for night protection. They will be allowed to free range within a large area with electric fencing. Will the cedar lose some of its potency if allowed to bake in sun and air out?

 

[perkolator]

It's fine for a run. Only situation where I could personally see fresh cedar chips having the possibility of being a problem with their VOCs, is using fresh cedar in an enclosed space like the bedding of a coop or nest box, that lacks ventilation. Fresh arborist chips start composting and get very hot within days, I'd imagine if you promote this by wetting it down and/or adding a nitrogen source, it will take care of things sooner than later and get you aged chips and composted humus much faster. Personally I'd just use them.

 

[Pgw]

I am using hemp bedding in their actual coops. The 10x20 ft run is in a 3 sided pole barn covered with hardware cloth roof and walls. Thank you!

 

[ChaosMom]

And another thing - as I understand it, wood chips that have been sitting around for a while can develop mold in the inner(?) layers, so use them sooner rather than later.

But this needs to be verified by a more experienced member.

EDIT TO ADD: I was wrong! See rosemarythyme’s post below.

 

[Pgw]

After reading several posts about fresh mulch I understood that you should let it air out and bake in sun. Then turn it ever so often? If anyone has a certain time schedule for daily or weekly turning of a mulch pile please reply. I had 13 large trees taken down by Helene when it came through upstate SC. So my pile is quite large!

 

[rosemarythyme]

And another thing - as I understand it, wood chips that have been sitting around for a while can develop mold in the inner(?) layers, so use them sooner rather than later.

But this needs to be verified by a more experienced member.

Opposite. Aspergillus is more likely to form in fresh, green chips. Older chips will form other types of mold but from what I understand those molds are harmless, they're just breaking down the wood into smaller bits.

After reading several posts about fresh mulch I understood that you should let it air out and bake in sun. Then turn it ever so often? If anyone has a certain time schedule for daily or weekly turning of a mulch pile please reply. I had 13 large trees taken down by Helene when it came through upstate SC. So my pile is quite large!

IMO no need to turn it. Just skim chips off the surface layers (as those are the most aired out) when you need chips to use.

 

[Shadrach]

Recently had trees mulched from Helene. Had several pines a Sycamore and small cedar. My tree guys mixed a very small cedar with my large pine. I plan to let it all air out in sun at least a few months before using in run. My run is only for night protection. They will be allowed to free range within a large area with electric fencing. Will the cedar lose some of its potency if allowed to bake in sun and air out?

I have to ask, if the chickens are out of the run during the day why do you want to put woodchip in it?

 

[Pgw]

Opposite. Aspergillus is more likely to form in fresh, green chips. Older chips will form other types of mold but from what I understand those molds are harmless, they're just breaking down the wood into smaller bits.

IMO no need to turn it. Just skim chips off the surface layers (as those are the most aired out) when you need chips to use.

Thanks so much for the reply

 

[Pgw]

I have to ask, if the chickens are out of the run during the day why do you want to put woodchip in it?

They won't be locked up in coop at night which is inside run. I will have them secured in run at night with electric fence perimeter.