Which wood chippings are the perfect floor surface for a chicken run?
We have been asked many times about the suitability of wood chippings for use in chicken runs, so below we have created a handy guide to answer your questions.
Can you put wood chips in a chicken run?
Wood chippings are the perfect sustainable, environmentally friendly surface for your chicken run, and give your chickens and poultry the perfect floor covering to peck and scratch at, plus they help stop the build up of mud, especially if you use them to create a path around the coop too. However, while most wood chippings are ok for the majority of pets, for chickens it is advisable to use a hard wood variety, as they can be susceptible to respiratory diseases which can occur from spores on some wood.
Why are wood chips good for chicken coops?
Not only do they solve the age-old problem of helping to prevent a muddy coop, but due to the fact that they are a natural material they will simply break down over time and can then be topped up with new chippings.
What should I put on the ground in my chicken run?
You could just use wood chippings alone on the ground of your chicken or poultry coop, or you could combine them with some sand or soil. The main thing is to have sufficient depth of chippings for the chickens to scratch in and peck at. Don’t forget to think about the path up to or around your coop too, our wood chippings are perfect to keep the mud at bay there.
How do I stop my chicken run from being muddy?
This is where wood chippings excel. They are the perfect foil to muddy chicken coops, soaking up any excess water, and being naturally occurring they are very eco-friendly as a floor covering too. Just make sure you have a reasonable depth of them (around 50mm should do it), and both you and your poultry will avoid that muddy feet feeling.
How often should I change the wood chippings in my chicken coop?
You will probably be able to tell when the chippings need changing, but most times a top up once or twice a year should be fine. As a natural product they will break down over time, so unless they have had to deal with some pretty extreme weather all you need to do is top up the depth when you think they need it. For happy hens you need to have enough chippings for the chickens to peck and scratch at, but it really is a low maintenance chicken coop flooring option.
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FAQs
Wood chippings are the perfect sustainable, environmentally friendly surface for your chicken run, and give your chickens and poultry the perfect floor covering to peck and scratch at, plus they help stop the build up of mud, especially if you use them to create a path around the coop too.
What is the best wood chip for a chicken run? ›
What is the best ground cover for my chicken run? Flyte so Fancy's Hardwood Woodchip (a play grade quality with softened edges and of relatively uniform size with very little bark) can provide an excellent chicken run surface to keep your hens 'entertained' as well as clean and healthy.
What type of wood chips are not good for chickens? ›
Cedar shavings are incredibly toxic to chickens. This is not a myth—it's backed up by very strong evidence. But because cedar toxicity has been commonly accepted for at least decades, this finding wasn't really that surprising to me. (See my article on Why you should never use cedar in your coop for more information).
How to clean wood chips in a chicken run? ›
Remove any heavily soiled areas. If your run is under cover you may need to hose it down or jet wash the woodchips to wash the droppings through to the soil below. If it is uncovered, the rain will do this step for you. Lastly scatter a layer of Agrisec 250 ground sanitiser (or similar) over the top of the woodchips.
Is topsoil safe for chickens? ›
If you have rich topsoil, you might want to mix it with some sand. The point is to have loose dirt your flock can easily toss over themselves. You shouldn't have to buy dirt to create a dust bath for your hens, but if you want to, you can easily get bags of topsoil at your local garden centre.
What is the best ground material for a chicken run? ›
Here are a few of the options that are widely used:
- Sand.
- Wood Chippings.
- Pea Gravel.
- Wood Shavings.
Put a layer of sand/rubber chippings or gravel down in the run area to help with drainage.
How much wood chips for chicken run? ›
Estimate one sack will cover approx 10 sq ft with a 2-3in depth (To clarify: 10 sq feet is an area of 10ft by 1ft or 1metre by 1metre). To calculate your run area:- length times width divided by 10 equals the number of bags you need. So a 9ft x 9ft run would need 8 bags (9 x 9 = 81, divide by 10 = 8).
Is bark ok for chicken runs? ›
3. It may seem like a good idea to put ornamental bark chippings down in the run to help with wet conditions, but don't do it. Such ground coverings are as exactly as they say: "Ornamental" - they are unsuitable for the chicken run, as they decompose quickly and as they rot down, fungi and mould grow on them.
What wood is toxic to chickens? ›
Cedar. Cedar should be avoided in avian living spaces because it can cause respiratory issues. If you use wood shavings for bedding, make sure you are not buying cedar shavings. Pine is also known to contain phenols which could also possibly cause issues for chickens and are best avoided.
Straw, hay and cane mulch
These materials are super absorbent and low-dust, making them excellent for chicken coops.
What table scraps are bad for chickens? ›
Foods & Plants Chickens Shouldn't Eat
- Candy and chocolate.
- Avocado skin or pit.
- Coffee or tea.
- Apple seeds.
- Raw potatoes, green potatoes and potato peels.
- Onions and garlic.
- Raw eggs.
- Rhubarb leaves.
Straw is safe, dry and a great option! You can find straw bales at your local farm stores or better yet, find a local farmer. I love having the straw in the nesting boxes. In fact, I have a couple nesting boxes with pine shavings and the girls prefer the boxes with the straw!
Can you put pine needles in a chicken run? ›
Other Plant-Based Options. If you have enough pine needles, shredded leaves, or grass clippings, you can use them as bedding in your chicken coop. They're not as absorbent as other options, though, so you'll need to replace them on at least a weekly basis.
Is sand or wood chips better for chicken run? ›
In scientific studies done by the Auburn University Department of Poultry Science, which were borne out by further field testing, sand performed better than pine shavings with lower bacterial counts, lower fungal populations and lower moisture levels.
Can I use cedar wood chips in my chicken run? ›
Cedar shavings are not recommended because the scent can be overpowering and even toxic, especially to chicks. Straw is one of the best materials for bedding. It has the same advantages of pine shavings and provides something for chickens to scratch and peck through.
