Wood chips

[J9mc]

Hello my chicken friends. Can you please share with me how you find hardwood chips? I’ve read that you should get untreated hardwood. I don’t have access to anything free. Is there a specific brand that you recommend? I have three Chickens and my run is 4 x 8‘… I will free range as much as I can. Thank you

 

[rosemarythyme]

Best equivalent that's usually available at big box stores would be bagged pine bark nuggets, or if you have a bulk landscape supplier you might be able to buy chips in smaller volumes.

 

[MGG]

I get a whole truck and trailer load of coarse mulch like wood chips for free from a tree trimming service in our area. They have a giant pile and anyone can come take however many they want. They even will load them for us if we call ahead. They work amazing in runs, even my duck pens stay dry way longer with them. And you can't beat free. Many tree trimming and tree care services have the same kind of offer. I'd call around to some, I'd be willing to bet you could find someone happy to get rid of them.

 

[J9mc]

I get a whole truck and trailer load of coarse mulch like wood chips for free from a tree trimming service in our area. They have a giant pile and anyone can come take however many they want. They even will load them for us if we call ahead. They work amazing in runs, even my duck pens stay dry way longer with them. And you can't beat free. Many tree trimming and tree care services have the same kind of offer. I'd call around to some, I'd be willing to bet you could find someone happy to get rid of them.
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Thank you. I wish I had room to do that. I only have three chickens and my run is 4 x 8.

 

[J9mc]

Best equivalent that's usually available at big box stores would be bagged pine bark nuggets, or if you have a bulk landscape supplier you might be able to buy chips in smaller volumes.

Thank you I’ll take a look at Home Depot

 

[townchicks]

I mostly throw dead leaves and used pine shavings in my run, every now and then I throw in a bag of bark mulch from the nursery. The best way to deep litter is different sizes and materials. So mix things up a bit, and add more as needed.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Thank you I’ll take a look at Home Depot

Just don't get stained chips (the weird, fake colors). I drove around with half a dozen bags in my car, and the chemical smell was unbelievable.

I had to go to a garden store to find unstained.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I get coarse playground pine chips/mulch in bags.

 

[J9mc]

I get coarse playground pine chips/mulch in bags.

Will this work well if my run is not covered. Thank you for your comment

 

[rosemarythyme]

Just don't get stained chips (the weird, fake colors). I drove around with half a dozen bags in my car, and the chemical smell was unbelievable.

I had to go to a garden store to find unstained.

Yeah unfortunately most places like Home Depot only carry dyed mulch (though inventory probably varies from store to store) - which is why I suggested bark nuggets as those aren't usually dyed.