Shouldn't cause any problems. Might also want to put something in there that breaks down slower and is bigger pieces, like wood chips, mulch, sticks, pine shavings, that way it keeps air in it and doesn't get all matted down and slimy when it gets wet. I wouldn't shred the leaves, the chickens should do a pretty good job of that themselves.
Give them time, they should figure out soon that there are bugs in those leaves, they just have to scratch around to get to them! If you have any old fallen trees in your woods, they would also love a half rotten log or stump to tear up and destroy.
I personally cannot wait until fall when I can put leaves in the run with the girls. Mine free range in the afternoons so they are used to scratching at something besides dirt. Their shade tree that I lost a couple weeks ago From lightning is mulched in my tree line and I will be adding that to their litter in a few weeks
Paul Gautschi uses woodchips in his gardens, orchards, and chicken runs. In this video he talks about woodchips and water. At 4:58 he specifically talks about excess water. I remembered this when I fell on slick mud while building my run. I dumped woodchips, which get free by the truckload from local and county arborists, all over the run. I have no standing water, no mud, no slipperyness. Chickens love to scratch it cuz they get vegitation and protien from chopped up leaves and bugs that naturally are in the chips. They help break down everything into luscious compost. I promise you will love this! So will your chickens.
Yep, well and thoroughly discussed in this thread.
Yeah, you'd think I'd read through, but no. I get all excited when I see something I actually know anything about, which is not a lot
I guess consider my comment as another vote for the wonder of lovely woodchips.
