Litter and Leaves

[CrazyBirdLady]

I tried searching the forums for posts about leaves, but most of them pertained to using leaves in the runs. My run will be in the woods, so I don't think I'll have a choice of whether or not I get leaves in my run.

On the other hand, I was wondering about using leaves for litter. I'd rake them up from the edges where the yard meets the woods and use that as litter as long as I had leaves to rake. When leaves were not available I would use pine shavings. Would this be okay?

 

[Im4dabirds]

I can't answer your question, but I'd sure love to hear the responses. I have about 50 oak and hickory trees in my yard and I'd love to be able to use the leaves. I'm composting but that takes a while and with the different trees, we have leaves falling somewhere all year long it seems.

 

[happyhensny]

I used leaves in my run in the fall, realistically I probably put 3 -4 feet deep of leaves in. This spring there is now barely anything. The chickens loved scratching in it all winter. I wrapped a tarp around the fence to keep out the snow and wind and they went out EVERY day-all winter. It does get very cold and windy here. Sometimes in the negative #'s!

 

[CrazyBirdLady]

Quote:
I have no doubt that I will do something quite similar in my run as I will plant a garden in that area the following spring.

I want to know if I can use leaves as litter in the coop. Anyone?

 

[patandchickens]

Some people do use dried leaves in their coop. It's a bit riskier, you have to be careful because they are more prone to mold (b/c of not necessarily being as dry as baled shavings or straw, and b/c of being inherently a bit more susceptible to mold). And they are not particularly absorbant. But if they're free and you can make them work management-wise, it certainly is sometimes done.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[redoak]

In the fall I use leaves for bedding in my coop. I just make sure it hasn't rained in a few days and I rake them up late in the afternoon when all dew if off them. I also just rake up the scattered leaves and no thick clumps.

 

[Dawn419]

Quote:
I've recently been added well-dried leaves to our coop litter, just like redoak.

So far, so good. I do make sure to stir the litter a few times a week and haven't noticed any mold on the leaves, even though we've been getting alot of rain here.


Hope this is some help!


Dawn

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

I was just going to ask about this, also. The area where we're building the coop and run is under several large oak trees and the ground is covered with oak leaves - they have pointy little edges on them - is that a problem for the chickens?

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Nope. CHickens got tough feeties

Pat

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

Oh good! Thank you!

I was afraid I'd have to find them little Wellies to walk around in otherwise