Ok for Run Litter?

[Nellzmom]

I’m going to add onto my run and have noticed a lot of recommendations for wood chips, leaf litter etc. We have several “compost” bins where we put the clippings from crepe myrtles, river birches, weeds, camellias, mowed Bermuda grass & other yard debris. We chop it into 2-4 inch pieces, but it doesn’t really decompose well because we don’t properly compost it & a lot of it is twigs. There is some horse nettle in it. I don’t use any herbacides/pesticides or treat the lawn with seed or fertilizer.

If I run all that through my small yard shredder, could I use that in the outside covered run? Would this be the same as DLM? Are these clippings safe? What about odor? BTW, I use sand in my existing 4x4 coop & attached/covered 4x8 run with no issues. I’m adding on an additional 32 square foot covered run w/1/4” HW cloth because I neglected to follow the “build it twice as big as you need” rule . Thanks!

 

[Folly's place]

Yes, leave out the tomato plants!
When birds are out free ranging, they tend to be very selective, and avoid toxic, bad tasting plants. In a coop or run, with fewer choices and less to do, offering toxic plants is a very bad idea.
Mary

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

I’d like to try something different to give them more to scratch around in. They dig around in the sand a little, but not as much as they do in their small tractor. I guess I’m just trying to spoil them

If you get a good mix and it really starts to compost, it'll attract all kinds of worms and other little critters that your flock will just LOVE digging for and enjoying. And free protein supplements!

I will go into my run and turn a few spots with a pitchfork. The girls go nuts for it!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Although I use deep litter and it works very well for me, if you've been using sand and have liked it, I don't really see a need to change it.

If you do want to try it, I'd look up the various materials that you have as I don't know what may or may not be toxic to birds. Also don't chop up the materials too fine, you want some chunkiness to provide aeration and drainage.

 

[igorsMistress]

It’s perfect for the run and the flock will love it! Just check for poisonous plants and don’t throw those in.

 

[igorsMistress]

Horse nettle is in the nightshade family. Would it still be ok? I've been throwing mine in the compost. It also has thorns that can go through my gloves when the plant matures.

I wouldn’t because the thorns can stick their feet. Also I think I remember reading crepe myrtle is poisonous

 

[aart]

We chop it into 2-4 inch pieces,

How do you 'chop' it up?
Keep the greens and browns balanced....if it gets stinky, add more browns.
Too many fresh grass clippings can get moldy and/or clog crops.

 

[Nellzmom]

How do you 'chop' it up?
Keep the greens and browns balanced....if it gets stinky, add more browns.
Too many fresh grass clippings can get moldy and/or clog crops.

We cut any twigs or branches into 2-3 inch pieces with hand clippers. Any branches of 2 inches or more we use loppers and use it as kindling for the fire pit.

 

[Tre3hugger]

Agree with @igorsMistress. That would be close to ideal run material.

 

[Folly's place]

Check for toxic plants; are crepe myrtles and camellias okay? And if you use herbicides, for example, that's not so good either.
Otherwise, sounds great. Here, we avoid black walnut chips in quantity.
Mary