Need suggestions for bedding material

[survivorchick]

We have a large raised bed planter at the back section of our chicken run which was once completely filled with vinca. Our chickens ate it down to the ground and over time their scratching has exposed roots of larger plants and trees. I need suggestions for bedding material I can use in this area? They like to hang out in the shade there and lay on the cool, damp soil in the summer months, so it has to be something that is easy to clean/maintain. We use sand for the coop floor and a dirt/sand mix for the lower section of the run. Should I add more soil or use mulch? I also need suggestions for plants/ ground cover they won’t eat.
They free range in our backyard in the morning and late afternoon/evening.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I believe they are wanting to use that area of dust bathing. That wouldn't be a terrible thing. Chickens really need dust baths. Perhaps you could just leave part of the space clear and maybe add a little sand, wood ash and ag lime. Maybe even build a small perimeter like wood or plastic edging. Then you can use wood chips or something else on the other side but they will gravitate to the bare ground for bathing.

 

[survivorchick]

I believe they are wanting to use that area of dust bathing. That wouldn't be a terrible thing. Chickens really need dust baths. Perhaps you could just leave part of the space clear and maybe add a little sand, wood ash and ag lime. Maybe even build a small perimeter like wood or plastic edging. Then you can use wood chips or something else on the other side but they will gravitate to the bare ground for bathing.

They do like dust bathing in one area of the planter. Thank you!

 

[RichL]

Wow, what a nice spot for your birds. If only my ducks had such a lovely area to call home. The first thing I would do is pick up a bale or two of hay. My local feed store sells single bales for $3.95 ea. It is amazing how much hay is compressed in a bale. Use the hay for ground cover as well as bedding material. It will keep the dust down and give the birds something to look through when scratching. You can then work on the landscaping.

Most shrubs and bushes are chicken friendly. Anything taller than the bird should be OK.

Some sources list Oleander as chicken safe, but I would avoid it. Oleander plants contain several toxic elements, including cardiac glycosides, saponins, digitoxigenin, oleandrin, oleondroside and nerioside. If a child where to use a branch to roast marshmallows or hot dogs, illness and death are real possibilities.

Azaleas, wormwood, jasmine, onions, chive, mint, rhubarb and lavender are all good candidates. If you consider bamboo, be sure to contain the roots or it will spread out of control and it may spread to your neighbor’s property. Only plant in large containers, but it is a hardy fast-growing plant that is ridiculously easy to care for.

 

[survivorchick]

Wow, what a nice spot for your birds. If only my ducks had such a lovely area to call home. The first thing I would do is pick up a bale or two of hay. My local feed store sells single bales for $3.95 ea. It is amazing how much hay is compressed in a bale. Use the hay for ground cover as well as bedding material. It will keep the dust down and give the birds something to look through when scratching. You can then work on the landscaping.

Most shrubs and bushes are chicken friendly. Anything taller than the bird should be OK.

Some sources list Oleander as chicken safe, but I would avoid it. Oleander plants contain several toxic elements, including cardiac glycosides, saponins, digitoxigenin, oleandrin, oleondroside and nerioside. If a child where to use a branch to roast marshmallows or hot dogs, illness and death are real possibilities.

Azaleas, wormwood, jasmine, onions, chive, mint, rhubarb and lavender are all good candidates. If you consider bamboo, be sure to contain the roots or it will spread out of control and it may spread to your neighbor’s property. Only plant in large containers, but it is a hardy fast-growing plant that is ridiculously easy to care for.

Thank you for the compliment and also for your ideas. I’m off to the nursery!