Outside run floor covering

[tjsnapper1953]

Is it ok to use shredded material from a tree surgeon to put down as a floor covering for my outside run.
I dont want the chickens to get a respiritory infection but I'm finding it difficult to get hardwood chippings

Any advice would be appreciated

 

[Marigold]

That will be OK so long as the chippings don't contain prickly bits, which might cause Bumblefoot if the chickens tried on them.As you say, they will be more likely to develop moulds after a while as they decompose, though this may be more of a problem to you when you rake them out to change them.
How big is the run? If its possible to put a roof on it, it will be much more comfortable in there, you will be saved a whole lot of mud and mess, and could then use Aubiose or other sorts of shredded hemp chippings such as Easybed.

 

[tjsnapper1953]

Hi Marigold

WE have an Omlet cube with a 1metre extension + 2 omlet covers for the top of the run so that the std run and the extension are covered at the top.
I will be buying the "link a bord system" (3metres X 2metres) and I also have provision for the chooks to roam around the garden within a netted enclosure so they get a variety instead of being within the Cube environment.