Using Leaves

[JoePa]

Every year I get tons of leaves in my yard - mostly oak - what I have been doing is using a blower to make large piles and then keep running over them with the lawn tractor to break them down into small pieces - by doing this I reduce the volume of the pile by 90 % - I would then put them on my compost pile - what I was thinking is using the shredded leaves for bedding in the chicken coop this year - anyone know any reason why this wouldn't be a good idea? - I would keep the leaves dry under a tarp until I put them in the coop - would also spread them all over the run - thanks

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

I have used leaves (mostly oak, a few maple) for years and they work great as a deep litter/slow compost “nitrogen diaper” absorbing manure and left over food scraps to keep the run tidy.

Haven’t tried in the coop...if you do I’d recommend your shredded process vs whole (to avoid matting) and make sure they’re good and dry.

100% leaves may not work great - they’re not as absorbent as wood shavings. I’d start with 50/50 shavings/leaves and see how it goes...you can always adjust the ratios with the next coop cleanup.

A 50/50 leaf/shaving blend with chicken poop and the odd feather in it sounds like an AMAZING compost base, too!

And oak leaves won’t kill your chickens...not that I’ve ever seen one try to eat a dried leaf. Mine do enjoy fresh green maple leaves, though.

 

[svh]

I use piles of oak/hickory leaves and forest debris, mixed with pine shavings, from the surrounding woods, in the coop, and run all the time. The chickens free range in this same forest material all day long, without a problem.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

I find neighbors will always give you their leaves if you ask...they may look at you funny...but nobody ever says "no".

I'm "lucky" enough to have a neighbor who does their "fall cleanup" around memorial day. So, just about the time all my fall leaves are starting to really rot down, I get a bunch more. I pulled 50+ barrels of leaves off that property last spring.

 

[chickenlittle21]

Oak leaves are poisonous to chickens

 

[Sally PB]

I'm considering using shredded leaves in the run this fall too, and I have mostly oak. I'll be following this to see what people have to say.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

A few chickens, food waste, and oak leaf picks, since they’re right here on my phone!

Not sure why they’re all on their side (for optimal viewing, lie down) - the second 2 are of the same spot a month apart. All that fruit and veggie material was eaten or scratched in and composted in that time.

 

[JoePa]

I was thinking of laying a tarp on the ground then put down the shredded leaves then cover with a tarp - but from the comments it sounds like leaves alone might not be the best thing - I'm trying to use stuff I have around the property as bedding - I have been using grass hay doing times when I cut the grass - that seems to work just fine

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

I think using what you have is a great approach. If it doesn’t work, you can always adjust.

I’ve used leaves, straw, old hat, etc. I haven’t been able to find free/cheap wood chips in my area, but plan to keep searching.

 

[CatsandCrops]

I think using what you have is a great approach. If it doesn’t work, you can always adjust.

I’ve used leaves, straw, old hat, etc. I haven’t been able to find free/cheap wood chips in my area, but plan to keep searching.

I'm not sure if your city/township does it - but we were able to call ours and they dropped off free wood chips, directly to our yard via dump truck. They trim and shred trees the first week of the month March through September. They also asked if we wanted leaves because they do leaf pick up Oct/Nov.