Run material - wood chips vs mulch

[okanagchick]

I'm trying to figure out what to put as the base in my run. We have a very large fenced area with several inches of pea gravel over construction sand that the coop and covered run will go in. I'd like to put something over the gravel so it's more comfortable for the chickens, helps to decompose their poop, and gives opportunity for insects, dust-bathing etc.

I was thinking of putting a thick layer of wood chips / mulch over the gravel within the run. Locally the options seem pretty similar and limited: fir mulch (fine, medium, coarse) and wood playground chips (which may be cedar, I'm confirming with the company). I want to avoid cedar. I'm wondering if the fir mulch, even if it's bark mulch, will be ok, or if it's likely to harbour mold, mites, etc.

We live in a pretty dry climate.

These are some of the options available, again pretty similar from most of the local services: https://justmulch.ca/bark-mulch-delivery-kelowna.php

Thoughts or recommendations?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Coarse chips would be the general preference, though with a dry climate you may not need them as badly as in a wet climate. Wood type shouldn't really matter for the most part, I'd probably only avoid black walnut, I use some cedar in my mix but it's Western cedar which is less aromatic.

The gravel may be problematic over time as poop will eventually sift down, lodge there and start decomposing down there, but impossible to know at this point. In a dry environment it may not be a problem.

 

[perkolator]

Call up an arborist for free wood chips instead paying the landscaping supply for decorative mulch

 

[Liz Birdlover]

I called some wood chipper companies but they mix it all together, whatever they're cutting & chipping that day. That includes some things which could pose a danger to my chickens as well as myself when I spread it.
I used to be able to get Large Chunk Bark Nugget Mulch, very clean, no dyes, no dangers. But I cannot find it anymore. The store only carries small nuggets now. So that is what I got, but they break down faster. Not sure what to do now. Buying my own chipper & going around cutting & chipping myself is not an option. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[all6mine]

I don't know what your "at hand" resources are, but our yard has several large oak trees. These have provided an excellent source of "litter" for the floor of my pen. The hens in turn help break this down into rich soil, which is then moved to my garden area when I am ready to refresh floor cover of the ckn run.

 

[aart]

That includes some things which could pose a danger to my chickens as well as myself when I spread it.

Like what?

 

[Liz Birdlover]

Like what?

They cut & chip many overgrown spots so those trees have vines all through them, as well as poison ivy, oak & sumac, which I am severely allergic. They do not sort what they cut & chip, there are leaves mixed in. If they're paid to clear out an area, they clear it, whatever may be attached or growing on or entwined on the tree. I've called to ask them, and they told me, each day is different, what stops they make, the types of trees or cuttings, stuff ends up all mixed up. They are not going to call me ahead of time, if or when, they have a desirable cut. If they did, I'd show up with my pickp truck & get it before it's all dumped mixed in together in their large truck.
If I knew these guys personally, it might be a different story, but I don't. There are Black Walnut trees, cherry tree leaves, cedar, etc. I just do not want to find out the hard way, exactly what varieties are in their chip loads. I love my flock.

http://www.chickendvm.com/toxic.php

https://ferndalechickens.com/plants-toxic-to-chickens/

https://www.urbanhomesteadingpdx.com/wood-chips-for-chicken-run-ground-cover/


I'm waiting for this site to review run materials, this just addresses inside coop.
https://www.thefeatherbrain.com/chicken-coops-and-runs

https://www.thefeatherbrain.com/blog/chicken-coop-bedding-comparison

 

[aart]

They cut & chip many overgrown spots so those trees have vines all through them, as well as poison ivy, oak & sumac, which I am severely allergic.

Ahhh, yeah that would be bad.