Wood chips and mold or any other concerns in run.

[3KillerBs]

IMO, if it smells of forest floor then it's fine -- even if you see those white threads that you get under leaf litter, etc.

If it smells like moldy bread or rotten food then it's not fine. Likewise if you get an anaerobic, sewage-type odor.

I have a rather large flock so my system is easily capable of absorbing all our family's food scraps -- even scraps from canning, etc. -- without trouble. If I only had a handful of birds I'd be much more careful about how much I put into the run at once.

 

[Hollyannkelly]

How thick?
Has it been sitting in the run all that time with no disturbance?

Chances are that there is enough light and air around not to grow too much of anything toxic.


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View attachment 3391071

Only a few inches 3-4? With all the rain I figured natural mold/fungus will be there. By the time they go in there it will be dry and I’ll take it around.

 

[Birds of paradise]

Welcome!

I think mulch etc. makes great digging areas for the chickens. Don't suppose mould will be an issue - and decomposing actually makes the poop less noticeable. You could probably change it out every once in a while and use the composted lot for your garden. They'll turn it for you as well.

This is the approach we've been following. 2nd month in. We had really heavy rains with torrential flooding in our area. The wood shavings have actually really helped, our chickens are fine and have been healthy.

 

[ChanP]

Glad to hear it's working.

 

[David61]

safe as can be. The only time i see any mold or growth is under things put (toys, bins) in the run. When I use day old chips in no more than 2-4 inches so the can dry out the sap. I use month to ten year old chips as my life long buddy owns a tree service with a wood yard. The older chips have started the bio breakdown and will kick start your deep litter process.