OK for coop bedding AND DLM?

[Ted Brown]

I can get this from a local landscape guy, it is a mix of pine/pine bark shavings. Will this work in:

1. the run as the base for DLM (I understand that additional item such as grass clippings, pine needles, etc. are also needed)
2. In the coop as deep bedding used as is (will be using a dropping board below the roosts).

Thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

It'll probably work in the coop and as one of the litter components in the run. My hesitation with using it as the primary base for deep litter in the run is it's very evenly cut in size with no larger, chunky pieces, which are ideal for providing drainage. If your guy can supply you with some more varied sized pieces to mix in it would be better.

 

[aart]

Looks fairly varied in size to me...tho mostly smaller than ideal for long term cold composting run bedding.

If it's freshly chipped from green tree branches, might not want it in the coop due to moisture content and possible mold generation.

How is that produced....or is it purchased?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I guess mine's super chunky then... we have branch pieces close to a foot long mixed in. I try to keep the big pieces out in the run and save the smaller chips for the coop.

 

[aart]

I guess mine's super chunky then... we have branch pieces close to a foot long mixed in. I try to keep the big pieces out in the run and save the smaller chips for the coop.

Wonders how @Ted Brown's stuff was 'chipped'.

Mine had some bigger chunks as well..
After a year or so.

When I first got it, it had been sitting for 6 months at a buddies.

 

[BYCforlife]

I would spread it out on a big tarp in the sun somewhere, They would rot for sure if they were wet and used for DLM.

 

[Ted Brown]

Thanks for the replies.

This is waste product from a pine wood mill about 50km from where I live. They produce it year round and the landscape guy gets it by the truckload (he is about 10km from me). I guess that it is the result of debarking pine trunks.

The pictures are from the landscaper's yard and I guess (will find out for certain) that he probably picked it up early spring (2 months ago). He says that the mill also has "clean pine shavings" (no bark) that may be available, he will be up there on Friday and will check.

I figured I needed about 6-8 cubic yards to fill a 12' by 12' area 6" deep. I checked my local feed shop and they want $7.50CDN for a ~2 cubic feet bag, a bit cheaper if I buy a pallet; to get the quantity I want the price is many $hundreds. If I pick up this pine/pine bark mix I can get 4 cubic yards for $50!!!

My property is mainly gravel with 6-8" of soil on top. Rain will cause surface pools but it is gone within a couple of hours after the rain stops so I never get standing water. Not convinced that I will need larger chunks underneath unless active composting needs the air penetration that a bed of large chunks would provide? Also my run will be covered by a tin roof.

 

[aart]

Not convinced that I will need larger chunks underneath unless active composting needs the air penetration that a bed of large chunks would provide?

Exactly...to at least avoid anaerobic areas of nasty slime.
If your only goal is to 'compost' poops to reduce odors(as opposed to making 'good garden soil') what you've got there should do the trick. If you can store a pile and just add to run as needed, along with other dry plants materials, you can avoid piling too much at once in run and keep a better eye on how it's doing. I've found it doesn't take much to keep poops breaking down and odors at bay....but my run is uncovered, and the rain surely helps, so your mileage may vary.

 

[Ted Brown]

@aart

I have lots of room to store a pile so that is not a problem. Should it be left exposed to the weather or covered or?

My primary goals are to:

1. reduce odors
2. provide a healthy environment for the birds on a year round basis
3. minimize maintenance of coop and run areas.

We get lots of snow and -20C to -30C temperatures during the winter. I decided to have a covered run to encourage the birds to venture out during the winter (also was easy for me as I was otherwise building a covered pole shed for firewood and machinery storage). I will tarp the run "walls" during the winter.

I remember reading that getting active composting underway needs to be done during warmer temperatures. Producing "good garden soil" would be a great addition but not a primary goal.

I am considering buying a used chipper to produce my own wood chips/shreds as I have lots of tree fall branches; cleaning up the property would be an additional positive end result. I have lots of pine needle debris and deciduous leaves every fall, not much in the way of grass and other green materials.

Your suggestion of starting with smaller amounts of run buildup makes sense until I figure out what I can make work.

How deep should I start in the run and in the coop if I use this pine/pine bark material?

 

[Helloworld]

We use pea gravel. Buy it by the scoop.
Keeps nails trimmed. They have plenty of rock for crop. It’s cooler in the summer. I can easily take a pitch fork and remove droppings. Our perches are no more than 2 ft off the ground to avoid bumble foot. It is working great. I went onto Amazon and bought a sand rake for the areas where they dig so pea gravel comes right up. If there was nothing else then what you have would work for me. But that is freshly grounded stump material. I also see mold, sap and it getting stuck in my fork.