Need some advice

[abauer18]

Hello! Our run was muddy so we decided to cover it with mulch. Well, that was a big mistake and lesson learned. It's been a rainy spring and our eggs are dyed from the mulch on their feet! What does everyone else cover their run grounds with? We are definitely not using mulch ever again!

 

[Kellycbf]

mulch.

 

[Howard E]

I use old grass hay. The older and coarser, the better. About 6 inches plus to start and keep adding as needed.

These are not my birds, but it is my hay they are running around on.

 

[abauer18]

I use old grass hay. The older and coarser, the better. About 6 inches plus to start and keep adding as needed. These are not my birds, but it is my hay they are running around on.

It won't smell if it gets wet?

 

[RonP]

Am I correct in assuming you used store bought dyed mulch?

 

[abauer18]

Am I correct in assuming you used store bought dyed mulch?

. It was from a mulch place and pretty sure it's dyed even tho we asked for undyed mulch. It's funny how every year you learn something new on how to better care for the chickens!

 

[Howard E]

It won't smell if it gets wet?

No. If you begin to sense a smell, and it looks muddy and nasty, time to add more hay. Birds run around on top, and droppings fall through or are "rinsed" down to the bottom, where the ground moisture combines with air (aerobic process) and the nitrogen from the droppings combines with the carbon from the hay to start a slow composting process. But the top of the hay stays clean and dry.

Over time, this is what is going on down below:

 

[abauer18]

No. If you begin to sense a smell, and it looks muddy and nasty, time to add more hay. Birds run around on top, and droppings fall through or are "rinsed" down to the bottom, where the ground moisture combines with air (aerobic process) and the nitrogen from the droppings combines with the carbon from the hay to start a slow composting process. But the top of the hay stays clean and dry. Over time, this is what is going on down below:

awesome thanks! We will be trying new stuff until we find something we like!

 

[Kellycbf]

Quote:
I did not even think about that. I would suggest calling a local tree service and asking to get a load of mulch delivered. Most do it for free.