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I've wondered about filling the runs with leaves myself, give them something to do, eat remnant bugs, and create a new compost layer....but didn't know if that would be a good idea. You've done it with no issues?
Once we moved out to Cement my chickens fell in love with leaves! The land hasn't been lived on in 5 yrs, so you can imagine years of old leaves at the edge of our woods. Anytime the chickens were let out they would run to play in the leaves. I haven't went as far as composting the leaves inside the run, but have heard others mention the extra heat the leaves provide in the winter. Until a few months ago all my birds were allowed to free range. As we had continued to acquire birds I now have 4 pens that do not free range, so the plan is to give those 4 pens the leaves. As long as the leaves are dry they shouldn't compost quickly. I am assuming it would be best to change out the leaves or use them as a deep litter method.
I would rake the leaves out of the run weekly if your goal is to create garden compost. If you are doing a thin layer of leaves the chickens will scratch them until they disappear, or at least that is what mine do with the hay they kick out of their nesting boxes.
In years past, we have deep littered the hen house with bags of leaves. Gathered dry, the leaves store well. Always added 2 or 3 bags at a time and the girls just crush them and mix them with their droppings. In the spring, this litter is then collected and allowed to compost a little longer then added to the garden. In the spring there is usually about 6 inches of crushed leaves and manure to be wheelbarrowed out. The benefit is exercise for the hens and compost for us as well as a warm layer on the floor of the hen house. We have a dirt floor in the hen house.
I've wondered about filling the runs with leaves myself, give them something to do, eat remnant bugs, and create a new compost layer....but didn't know if that would be a good idea. You've done it with no issues?
Once we moved out to Cement my chickens fell in love with leaves! The land hasn't been lived on in 5 yrs, so you can imagine years of old leaves at the edge of our woods. Anytime the chickens were let out they would run to play in the leaves. I haven't went as far as composting the leaves inside the run, but have heard others mention the extra heat the leaves provide in the winter. Until a few months ago all my birds were allowed to free range. As we had continued to acquire birds I now have 4 pens that do not free range, so the plan is to give those 4 pens the leaves. As long as the leaves are dry they shouldn't compost quickly. I am assuming it would be best to change out the leaves or use them as a deep litter method.
I would rake the leaves out of the run weekly if your goal is to create garden compost. If you are doing a thin layer of leaves the chickens will scratch them until they disappear, or at least that is what mine do with the hay they kick out of their nesting boxes.
In years past, we have deep littered the hen house with bags of leaves. Gathered dry, the leaves store well. Always added 2 or 3 bags at a time and the girls just crush them and mix them with their droppings. In the spring, this litter is then collected and allowed to compost a little longer then added to the garden. In the spring there is usually about 6 inches of crushed leaves and manure to be wheelbarrowed out. The benefit is exercise for the hens and compost for us as well as a warm layer on the floor of the hen house. We have a dirt floor in the hen house.
