Fixed run flooring -leaves.

[chrismahon]

Due to the ever present threat of hunting dogs and the limited space in the temporary compound the mobile secure runs are now fixed, in that we can't move them with the coops around to fresh grass as we did in the UK. All the vegetation has gone and they were getting bored.

Our solution was to gather fallen leaves, small ones like oak are best, in large plastic bags. They are stored in the greenhouse to keep them as dry as possible. Every few days a few handfuls are thrown into the runs to give the birds something to scratch at. They particularly like the leaves with moss mixed in. Then every few weeks the whole soiled lot is raked out (before letting them out because the rake terrifies them) and a few more fresh handfuls are thrown in.

Some of the chickens eat the leaves with preference for the soggy ones!

The soiled stuff goes onto the compost. Oak leaves make a good mulch as well. Anyone else tried this?

 

[dinosaw]

We tried this last winter Chris when we were keeping them locked in and they seemed to really enjoy it, I was a bit less restrained than you and used to put huge piles of leaves in and then watch them demolish them with gusto, chattering away happily as they went. One of our birds has a particular liking for eating fallen leaves, dry or soggy, the others don't seem to bother with them. We also find it better not to use the dreaded rake of doom while they are around, if i so much as put a hand on it they go running for cover :lol: