Run floor

[JDonn127]

Can i use chopped straw or pine shavings to cover my now dirt (muddy) run floor? If so which is better in your opinion?

 

[mcdze]

i think i saw somewhere that straw alot of times is sprayed with roundup, i wouldnt want that in my yard let alone around my birds .., but yeah .. throw something in there lol .. rake some leaves up lol ..

 

[JDonn127]

TC sells this.... i didnt know what the difference between this and pine shavings was

 

[JDonn127]

Or if one was better to use than the other

 

[DobieLover]

For your climate, I would use wood chips. Call your local Highway Department and see if they offer free wood chips left from processing yard waste curbside collection. I get them for free in my area.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I use straw, it works for me. I have a high clay soil (but not true clay) with a very thin sand layer over much of it. (my hill appears to be an ancient alluvial sand bar).

The ground has been carefully sloped away from my run to reduce standing water, and I've dug some ditches to further assist during high rainfall events, which are frequent.

Straw works very well, in my hen house, and under it, where the ducks sleep.

It does NOT work in the run.

Based on my experience alone, and what I assume of your ground conditions, I would recommend wood chips if you can get them, leaf litter otherwise. Straw just doesn't have the volume to lift feathered feet (like my Brahma) out of the mud, and mixes too readily with mud to form a mat after the rainfall.

 

[NatJ]

Any of those options would be fine, and a mixture would also be fine.

Given that it's fall, I would start with leaves, because they are easy to get at this time of year.

 

[aart]

Can i use chopped straw or pine shavings to cover my now dirt (muddy) run floor? If so which is better in your opinion?

Neither.
My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.

 

[JDonn127]

I just raked up a large trash can full of dry leaves... can i use them to get started?

 

[imnukensc]

I just raked up a large trash can full of dry leaves... can i use them to get started?

Absolutely!