Pine chunks for run?

[Chickmamma29]

I live in Northern VA and we have had the rainiest summer, that has not only left me with a muddy run and standing water, but several chickens with bumblefoot. So, husband and I spent the last two days digging trenches, adding French drainage pipes, drainage rocks and topped it with fresh dirt/sand mix.
My question is, does anyone have experience with the larger pine chunks in their run? I wanted to put these where a lot of water gets dumped and splashed to help with keeping the mud away. My worry is that it can splinter easy? I don’t keep anything poking the girls feet and leading to more bumblefoot.
Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Chickmamma29]

This picture I posted is of the large pine chunks I have found available near me.

 

[Mosey2003]

I would use agricultural lime instead.

 

[Chickmamma29]

I would use agricultural lime instead.

Thank you! I do already use a lot of First Saturday Lime

 

[Mosey2003]

I'm not familiar with "First Saturday" but I know that if you put enough lime in, you can get it to pack and while it might get wet, it generally won't stay mushy and nasty. Good on you guys for actually going to the effort to put in drainage, too!

 

[Chickmamma29]

I'm not familiar with "First Saturday" but I know that if you put enough lime in, you can get it to pack and while it might get wet, it generally won't stay mushy and nasty. Good on you guys for actually going to the effort to put in drainage, too!

Thank you !!! Yes it was a ton of work, but hopefully it should do the trick. I will keep adding in lime also, thank for the help!!!

 

[Melky]

I live in Northern VA and we have had the rainiest summer, that has not only left me with a muddy run and standing water, but several chickens with bumblefoot. So, husband and I spent the last two days digging trenches, adding French drainage pipes, drainage rocks and topped it with fresh dirt/sand mix.
My question is, does anyone have experience with the larger pine chunks in their run? I wanted to put these where a lot of water gets dumped and splashed to help with keeping the mud away. My worry is that it can splinter easy? I don’t keep anything poking the girls feet and leading to more bumblefoot.
Thanks for your thoughts!

I use landscaping pine mulch but I would consider it fine. This way I can easily scoop out the waste. I have had no more standing water and this is why I switched. We sometimes get some hard rains. I do not know about Saturday lime. I have not had any bumblefoot. I would also check your roosting bars, usually this can be a source of splinters. I would sand down the roosting bars to a nice smooth feel to your hand.

 

[aart]

My question is, does anyone have experience with the larger pine chunks in their run?

Those chunks should be fine....less 'splintery' than tree trimmer chippings.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The chunks look good and large pieces like that help with drainage. Just make sure they're not treated with anything like dyes.