Something to cover the ground.

[SGP8800]

I have two enclosures. The smaller sheltered one is about 10' x10'. It is under a roof. It also attaches to there coop so in the morning they can come out of the coop into that area before I let them out into a bigger 20' 30' enclosure. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I could put on the ground to keep the bare dirt from showing? Not sure what is best, straw, wood chips etc.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. Any dry organic material that is readily and afforably available will work.

 

[AnnPann]

i use hardwood mulch. i buy it in bags because it’s easiest to buy only what i need when i need it, vs getting a pile dumped from a tree trimming service. it works great to keep it drier during/after a hard rain, and the hens like digging and dust bathing it in.

 

[rosemarythyme]

What's your climate like? What can you get in your area that's cheap and plentiful?

For me, wood chips are beyond free. Dried leaves, garden trimmings, dried lawn clippings, free (and costs money to have hauled away). So for me deep litter is the most sensible option.

 

[SGP8800]

Welcome to BYC. Any dry organic material that is readily and afforably available will work.

Was wondering as far as absorption and / or tidiness if one is better than the other.

 

[SGP8800]

i use hardwood mulch. i buy it in bags because it’s easiest to buy only what i need when i need it, vs getting a pile dumped from a tree trimming service. it works great to keep it drier during/after a hard rain, and the hens like digging and dust bathing it in.

Thanks that is what I was considering, rain, mud etc. So the shredded variety?

 

[SGP8800]

What's your climate like? What can you get in your area that's cheap and plentiful?

For me, wood chips are beyond free. Dried leaves, garden trimmings, dried lawn clippings, free (and costs money to have hauled away). So for me deep litter is the most sensible option.

US Mid Atlantic, snow, teen to single digit temps in winter, hot humid in summer. Sounds good. Definitely have a lot of leaf fall in the fall. In another month the uncovered portion of the pen will fill up with leafs. Probably add the shredded mulch to the inside pen as APKS stated above.

 

[Aunt Angus]

US Mid Atlantic, snow, teen to single digit temps in winter, hot humid in summer. Sounds good. Definitely have a lot of leaf fall in the fall. In another month the uncovered portion of the pen will fill up with leafs. Probably add the shredded mulch to the inside pen as APKS stated above.

I love adding leaves to my yard! I put a big pile in the yard, and the chickens go nuts! They spread it around for me.

 

[SGP8800]

I love adding leaves to my yard! I put a big pile in the yard, and the chickens go nuts! They spread it around for me.

They do a good job breaking them down. I have an open shed where I park equiment into. Leaves get blown up in there all the time and the hens clean it out for me.

 

[Happy hen lover]

Go for leaves ...free. wood chips don't blow all over. Straw... Blows all over and made a "brick" layer in yard.