Wood chips in the run?

[Teila]

G’Day from down under Katt… Nice to meet you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Welcome! Waiting for chips to age does take some patience but in a year you'll have a really fantastic bedding material for your run. My first winter with chickens I did mostly dried leaves and they decomposed too quickly so the run got rather mucky. This last winter I added aged wood chips along with dried leaves, dried grass, clods of dirt and weeds, etc. and the drainage is now excellent. Even when other areas of my lot are flooding, the chickens have a stable surface to walk on.

As far as I know the only wood you want to avoid using is black walnut. I do have cedar mixed into my chips but they lose a lot of their aroma while sitting out so I feel safe using it once it's aired out.

 

[NewChkinTown]

Hubby has access to these woodchips. Would they be sufficent in our run?

 

[sourland]

What has been chipped - what type wood ?

 

[Isaac 0]

I've been using wood chips in my run for a few years now, I can only say good things about it too. Drains well, doesn't stink, I love it!

 

[NewChkinTown]

What has been chipped - what type wood ?

Maple

 

[NewChkinTown]

I've been using wood chips in my run for a few years now, I can only say good things about it too. Drains well, doesn't stink, I love it!

I read on here that they can help with keeping the flies away?

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal community!
Best wishes and Be well!

 

[DobieLover]

Maple

They'll be fine.
I use a 4 to 8 inch thick layer of wood chips in my run.

 

[Isaac 0]

Maple

I read on here that they can help with keeping the flies away?

Maple is good. It has significantly reduced the amount of sitting waste and mud in my run, so yes, It should reduce the number of flies.