pine straw

[dcs02d]

I have pine chips in my hen house which houses 4 hens. I have fenced the hens into a good size area on the side of my yard but it is all pine straw. I could easily rake it out and leave them a dirt area. Would this be better? Can pine straw harbor nasty bugs? They do have a small sand pit and they seem content to dig in the straw for bugs.

Thanks

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I find pine straw to be excellent roost house litter, in the yard itself, and I use it in the nest boxes.

I don't think I'd rake it all up from their yard though. Better to have litter in both places.

.....Alan.