Where to put the coop substrate or stuff?

[tralfaz]

After 3 weeks, my first time cleaning out the coop for 6 hens in a 5x6 coop. I originally designed it to have hatches at floor level were I can just use a rake to push out the used pine shavings into a wheel barrel to cart out. I'll start experimenting with different bedding methods in the coming weeks. But my question is whether I can just spread the used bedding on the run? I want to eventually start a compost with the used bedding but that's a later project.

 

[jreardon1918]

I rake the shavings on to a tarp. Then dump it in the covered run. And instantly you have a composting run. Add in yard waste. Kitchen scraps. Never gets hot. It becomes a forest floor.

 

[aart]

You could spread it out in the run.
What kind of bedding do you have out there now?

I want to eventually start a compost with the used bedding but that's a later project.

Yo're going to need a HOT compost to break down those shavings.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I just rake mine straight into the run, as I use the same wood chips in coop and run. No longer need to bring over chips specifically for the run, the coop supplies all the chips I need for that.

 

[tralfaz]

You could spread it out in the run.
What kind of bedding do you have out there now?

Yo're going to need a HOT compost to break down those shavings.

The run is just wood chips

 

[NatJ]

Spreading used wood shavings over the wood chips in the run should be fine.

It may slowly break down (compost) in the run, or you can scoop it up later and pile it into a compost pile.

In the run, either it breaks down (good) or it continues to serve as bedding (also good.)