Leaf Ash For Run

[brandimularski33]

Hey all…since we are having issues with “free ranging » chickens we may move our coop to a different spot on our property-butted up against an abandoned structure that a previous owner trained game birds in. It needs a little TLC but has good bones. Question is there is built up sticks and leaves inside and we normally rake and burn leaf piles but wasn’t sure if leaf ash would be harmful to chickens or beneficial like wood ash. Trying to come up with a game plan for cleaning it before we get started!

 

[3KillerBs]

If it's a deep pile of ash that you can tell is ASH, not just dirt where ash has been, I'd be concerned about both respiratory issues from breathing the ash and the alkalinity.

 

[brandimularski33]

If it's a deep pile of ash that you can tell is ASH, not just dirt where ash has been, I'd be concerned about both respiratory issues from breathing the ash and the alkalinity.

So if it’s not much and mixed together with other dirt and gravel would it be ok?

 

[3KillerBs]

So if it’s not much and mixed together with other dirt and gravel would it be ok?

When it's dry and you stir it up does any ash float up into the air?

 

[mowin]

I put buckets of ash from my pellet stove in a dust bath inside the run. That stuff is extremely fine. I mix it up with a little dirt and let 'em at it. They love the stuff. My leghorn comes out looking like a lump of charcoal.