The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: raindogs on January 02, 2018, 05:15:33 pm

Title: Wood chips in soggy run
Post by: raindogs on January 02, 2018, 05:15:33 pm
Sorry if this has been covered before - couldn't see it.


I've got quite a large run for my nine girls. It's very muddy and is getting ever more so. I have access to a large pile of wood chippings from two beech trees that have been felled recently. Can anyone think of any reason this wouldn't be a great idea?


As ever, grateful for any advice.


Happy New Year!


philip
Title: Re: Wood chips in soggy run
Post by: Rupert the bear on January 02, 2018, 08:46:23 pm
We've done this in the past but with a membrane down first , stops the chippings disappearing  and helps recovery when it dries up, and the grass can regrow.
Title: Re: Wood chips in soggy run
Post by: Womble on January 02, 2018, 09:10:30 pm
We used bark chippings a few years with no ill effects. I did read somewhere that it can harbour dangerous mould spores or something, but TBH it worked, and the hens didn't seem to mind!
Title: Re: Wood chips in soggy run
Post by: raindogs on January 02, 2018, 11:40:33 pm
Thank you, both, really helpful.


Happy New Year!
Title: Re: Wood chips in soggy run
Post by: Marches Farmer on January 03, 2018, 09:01:31 am
The bottom layer will sink into the mud, the top can be scratched over and will at least prevent so much mud getting traipsed into the coop.  If they've a dry atmosphere to roost in overnight I think it helps their general health enormously.