Rubber mulch in free range area

[Quinsmomma]

This question may be a bit premature seeing as we just received our chicks in the mail last week but, when they are ready to go outside I would love to let them free range around our yard. We have a 1/4 acre suburban yard with lots of foliage and garden space. We also have a play set area with rubber mulch and a raised planter bed across from that that has rubber mulch.

Will the rubber mulch be harmful to the chickens? Will they try to eat it? My husband does not want to remove it from the planter and it works well to protect the kids while they are playing. Anyone have experience with it or ideas?

 

[chfite]

The chickens will try to eat almost everything. If the rubber mulch is fine enough, it will be eaten, too. You will get it back later on.

If the pieces are larger than a pencil eraser, they probably won't be eaten. It won't take the chickens long to learn that it is not any good to eat; then they will probably stop.

Like many other inedible things, grit, paper, and earrings, it goes in and comes back out without harming the chickens.

Chris

 

[Quinsmomma]

Thanks Chris. I guess I'm just a little nervous about my first flock!