Specific wood chip run question

[dbounds10]

Hi all. I have an open air dirt run that I want to use wood chips in. It’s 12x24. My neighbor had some trees cut today and I got the chips. Turned out to be a very small pile. The dead wood basically turned to dust. What’s left is pretty wet with a lot of leaves and grass. My girls will be going to the coop next week (5 wks old) and will be locked inside for a couple weeks to get used to their new home and won’t be allowed access to the full run for a couple weeks after that. My question is, since what I have won’t even cover the whole run, can I go ahead and spread it in there to dry without worry of mold growing? Pics of the run and the small pile attached.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

If you spread it around it shouldn’t be a problem.

 

[WI chickens]

I would, and have. No issues with thinner layers like that.

 

[perkolator]

I'd just dump it into the run, I wouldn't even spread it out - the chickens will do that for you once they get access to it. That particular chip pile is going to decompose rather quickly due to how much ramial wood content it has - I'd source more from an arborist or chipdrop, etc.

From the pic of your setup I'd consider adding an anti-dig skirting, as well as HC fencing to the lower 2ft of the chain link run panels, for more security.

 

[dbounds10]

I'd just dump it into the run, I wouldn't even spread it out - the chickens will do that for you once they get access to it. That particular chip pile is going to decompose rather quickly due to how much ramial wood content it has - I'd source more from an arborist or chipdrop, etc.

From the pic of your setup I'd consider adding an anti-dig skirting, as well as HC fencing to the lower 2ft of the chain link run panels, for more security.

@Perkalator You can’t really see it in the pics but the entire bottom half is already covered with a buried apron and we are slowly working on covering the rest. By the time they have access it will be covered too to bottom in 1/4 IN HWC

 

[JaTexas]

Hi all. I have an open air dirt run that I want to use wood chips in. It’s 12x24. My neighbor had some trees cut today and I got the chips. Turned out to be a very small pile. The dead wood basically turned to dust. What’s left is pretty wet with a lot of leaves and grass. My girls will be going to the coop next week (5 wks old) and will be locked inside for a couple weeks to get used to their new home and won’t be allowed access to the full run for a couple weeks after that. My question is, since what I have won’t even cover the whole run, can I go ahead and spread it in there to dry without worry of mold growing? Pics of the run and the small pile attached.

My first flock as a young boy the run was beautiful St. Augustine Grass...for a while. Then it turned, beak by beak full into that pile of stuff on your photo. I would not worry but try to rake it over now and then to let in some air into the mix.