Run bedding

[telandra2]

I haven't tried it, but since you live in Texas pine needles might work. Thick mats under the trees could be dug out and moved to the runs and the gaps between needles should give good drainage. Fresh needles are pokey but my ducks were building nests in them.

 

[CoriM]

There has been some wild weather here. Two consecutive weekends with snow storms, followed the third weekend with a thaw and lots of rain. Consequently the duck run is squishy wet. With usual winter conditions I can keep it in better condition by adding the shavings I am removing from the coop. I am considering layering the run with cedar boughs then adding shavings on top. Thoughts or other suggestions.

So are cedar boughs okay when cedar shavings are not safe? I don't really know the ins and outs. I prefer pine shavings for their softness and ease of keeping clean. Every day just scoop out the wet and poopy parts and sprinkle on some new ones. It's super clean, soft, doesn't smell, and stays dry that way for covered areas.

 

[raingarden]

The bough needles will fall off and start to break down but will leave a bunch of sticks behind that have to be picked out.

You can't have too many leaves.