Storing fresh wood chips

[Pgw]

Just getting started with small flock of chickens and a couple of geese. Plan on using sand in my 20x10 ft run. Hurricane Helene took out 13 trees on my property and wanted to have the chips available for birds and garden. I just wanted to know the best way to store for birds. Have heard if too green could create a toxic environment. My tree guys can't chip until Jan anyway which means no green. I have a huge Sycamore and pines mainly. Should I store in plastic totes, or an open wooden bin? My coop and run will be housed under my 3 sided pole barn that stays very dry. Thank you!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Just leave it outdoors in the open wood bin and turn every once in a while with a shovel to prevent moisture build up in the center of the pile. Store bought bedding is kiln dried which makes it okay to put in plastic bags, but regular milled non-kiln dried wood chips need to be left out in the open. If you were to put fresh milled wood chips in plastic it will grow mold and other bacteria.

 

[Pgw]

Thank you! That is info I needed!!!

 

[aart]

They'll still be kinda green by January.
The wood anyway, luckily all the green leaves will be gone.
I wouldn't try to put them in any kind of container.
Do you have a place to just pile them up on the ground?
Do you plan on using in a coop or a run?