Wood chips in run ... are they safe?

[aart]

I just read on another page that I should be concerned about the bark from the wood chips breaking down and causing aspergillus?? They are only used in the covered run, not in the enclosed coop area. Pics attached of our run with the chips.

Is this ok or should I remove them?

I do not think you need to remove them.
How deep are they?
It's better when they are aged, but this time of year in your climate you should be fine.
If they were just cut and chipped, no leaves so much less 'wet' in the mix.
The cold weather will also tamp any mold blooms down, probably way down.

The aspergillus issue that I think you may be referring to was extreme and a totally different scenario than yours.
Read the whole story here, it's a good discussion about how mold blooms can happen:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/dying-chickens.1129854/

 

[Melky]

Here is a quick an easy read. Basically good litter and feed clean dry hygiene prevents aspergillosis. http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/7/aspergillosis/

 

[Rick&Chris]

I use pine small chunk wood chips with peat mixed in. Peat is better at reducing ammonia in manure. Mine do fine. I use straw in winter for heat. Keep clean and dry will be fine.

Unfortunately, I can't keep the run 100% dry. It is covered but rain still comes in. We have plastic sheeting on the back of the run now to prevent too much cold wind that comes from the north.

Are you referring to your enclosed coop that you use pine and peat moss?

 

[Rick&Chris]

I do not think you need to remove them.
How deep are they?
It's better when they are aged, but this time of year in your climate you should be fine.
If they were just cut and chipped, no leaves so much less 'wet' in the mix.
The cold weather will also tamp any mold blooms down, probably way down.

The aspergillus issue that I think you may be referring to was extreme and a totally different scenario than yours.
Read the whole story here, it's a good discussion about how mold blooms can happen:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/dying-chickens.1129854/

I'll check out that link, thank you! My chippings were fresh, but I didn't see any leaves - since it is winter here, the leaves are gone. I have probably 3" or so - they keep moving it all around, so deeper in some spots and bare in others ...

 

[Melky]

Unfortunately, I can't keep the run 100% dry. It is covered but rain still comes in. We have plastic sheeting on the back of the run now to prevent too much cold wind that comes from the north.

Are you referring to your enclosed coop that you use pine and peat moss?

I have a roofed coop/run. I keep this in the run with pine mulch or straw in the coop. We do get a lot of rain but the roof helps to keep it dry and of course so does ventilation. I have tarped in bad weather as well to prevent blowing in to coop/run.

 

[AmaranthineAcres]

I can't offer any advice but I love your coop!

 

[aart]

Unfortunately, I can't keep the run 100% dry. It is covered but rain still comes in. We have plastic sheeting on the back of the run now to prevent too much cold wind that comes from the north.

There is no reason to keep the wood chippings dry...my run is totally exposed and they work just fine.

 

[WhoDatChick]

I have wood chips in my run.. my neighbor cut a bunch of trees and have an enormous pile of them... I haven’t had any issues.. in fact I love them.. after awhile I added leaves and pine needles but I much rather just the wood chips! Keeps it clean and usually smelling fresh.
Btw, your coop is beautiful!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

My chips are wet three quarters of the year, can't help it in a wet climate, so don't worry about keeping dry. If the chips are wet but the run doesn't have standing water, then they're doing their job.

Ideally yes you should age the chips so that any mold that is going to form will do so away from the chickens, plus that gives any aromatic oils time to dissipate a bit. But you already have your chips in there so I wouldn't bother removing them. If you do find that wood chips works well for your set up, I'd get a nice big pile and then let it sit for future usage, and then you'll always have aged chips on hand.

 

[Rick&Chris]

Thanks everyone! Appreciate all of your input!!!