Leaves in the run?

[Noymira]

I've been researching this on BYC and getting many different answers.

I'd love to recycle some of the leaves from our Oak and Birch trees in the yard. I was thinking about putting them in the chicken run, which is all dirt. I'm hoping next spring to add some sand/gravel mix but until then thought the leaves could help with the wet factor and give the birds some entertainment. Some people say the leaves can be toxic to chickens, others say they've done it for years with no problems.

I know some people use them in their coop too, but I like pine shavings and they are cheap here, so I will go that route in the coop for winter.

Thoughts? Advice? Stories to share?

 

[NonnasBabies]

I use leaves all the time!! My chickens love them. You don't even need to spread them they'll do it for you!!

 

[JulieNKC]

Quote:
x2, I dump a big pile in there and the girls all run to jump and play in the leaves like a bunch of little kids.

 

[Noymira]

OK, definitely going to try this, should be fun to watch!

 

[wilobrookfarms]

I agree with everyone! I recently added leaves to my run, the hens went crazy!! I'm pretty treeless at our house, surrounded by pines. So I went to my parents house and raked their yard. They where happy, and my hens were too!!
I'm going to do it every fall. I might even bag some extra's, and store them in the shed, to add more through out the winter.

 

[Aves]

yes to leaves, we use them all the time!!

 

[ll]

Oh my yes yes yes, definitely use leaves.

I use oak & maple leaves, bamboo leaves, and pine needles (some say pine straw), and pine cones too!

 

[EggsForIHOP]

It's SO much fun to watch them play in the leaves! go for it! They'll have a ball and you will too watching them!

 

[EggsForIHOP]

It's SO much fun to watch them play in the leaves! go for it! They'll have a ball and you will too watching them!

 

[AlienChick]

Quote:
x2, I dump a big pile in there and the girls all run to jump and play in the leaves like a bunch of little kids.

x3