Wood Chips for Chickens

Overview

The key to raising healthy and happy hens for your eggs begins with creating the best environment for them to live in. One important aspect is the choice of flooring material. Utilising wood chip for chickens as a floor covering is a popular and beneficial option that can improve their health and well-being.

In this article, we delve into the various considerations of using wood chip in a poultry coop, including how to choose and source the right type of hardwood chip, issues related to laying wood chippings correctly, right through to the proper cleaning and maintenance of your pets' home.

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Key Takeaways

Getting the Right Wood Chip From Scratch

Chicken wood chips are a versatile and economical product made for use in poultry runs. They are an eco-friendly material that can be used successfully to create a clean and healthy environment for poultry, in general. However, doing so is not as simple as just buying a bag of woodchip and throwing it in the chicken coop. It all begins with the type of chip you use.

Use Hardwood Chips for Chickens

The ideal type of woodchip for a floor covering is some type of hardwood woodchip. Hard wood chips for chicken run floors, especially if sourced from trees like oak and maple, the surface will be more durable than one comprised of softwood chips which come from trees like pine and spruce. This makes them more suitable, as they are able to withstand all weather conditions and reduce the risk of respiratory issues. The durability of hard wood chips ensures a long-lasting solution for your chicken coop, making hardwood chips chickens best friend.

Softwood Chips

While softwood chips are relatively lightweight and can serve as a ground cover, they lack the strength of hardwood chips. In essence, using hardwood woodchip for poultry runs provides a more durable and long-lasting solution that, importantly, creates a healthier environment for your stock.

Don't Use Bark for Chicken Run Surfaces

While bark possesses some advantages, it's important to note that they don't for chicken runs. Avoid using bark chippings or woodchip that contains bark. The function of bark as a mulch is to absorb and retain water, which is the exact condition you're trying to avoid. Furthermore, bark releases aspergillosis spores, which can harm chickens. You can read a full advice here.

Recycled Wood Waste

Recycled wood waste is a sustainable and eco-friendly option for chicken coop flooring. It promotes a hygienic environment for chickens, provides stimulation, and ensures their overall well being. Additionally, soiled chippings can be repurposed for flower beds after use in the run. However, before using recycled wood, it’s crucial to assess its quality, safety, and consider seasonal variations that could affect the wood’s condition.

More Than Just Surface Issues

Designing a poultry floor optimally is key to creating a healthy, clean, and comfortable environment for your hens, using hardwood chips. The upcoming sections will cover surface issues such as the ideal hardwood woodchip depth, ways to minimise mud beginning with some guidelines about poultry surfaces.

Optimal Poultry Surface Guidelines

When it comes to creating an optimal poultry surface for your poultry with any materials, there are some key factors to consider.

However, the choice of flooring can depend on the size of your coop, as what works for a small run may be too costly for a larger space.

Floor Covering Depth

To maximize the benefits of a wood chippings chicken run, it’s important to ensure proper floor covering and depth. A well-maintained run with the right kind of woodchip can help your chickens remain clean and healthy, while also offering an engaging environment for them to scratch and peck.

Combining Wood Chips with Other Materials

Blending wood chippings for chickens with other materials like sand or leaves can create a deep litter system. To do this, follow these steps:

Pallet and Paver Pathways

Creating pallet and paver pathways in your chicken run can significantly improve the usability and cleanliness when you arrive to tend to the pack. Pallets can be used to elevate walking areas, keeping them dry and clear of mud, while pavers provide a sturdy, easy-to-clean surface that withstands the constant scratching and pecking of chickens. These pathways not only make it easier for you to navigate the run, but they also help to reduce the spread of dirt and bacteria.

Minimising Mud In Your Chicken Coop

Starting with a way of preventing damp, and thus mud from forming, is always advisable. For example, when giving consideration to chicken coops, segmenting and installing appropriate flooring in one smaller area during winter periods can be done easily until warm and drier weather arrives, especially in larger coops. You can also get an area covered for protection, fairly inexpensively.

When setting up poultry runs, it's crucial to start by leveling the area and removing any sharp objects. Using pavers, turf protectors, or rubber mats can prevent the birds from digging down to the soil. If you opt for a turf protector or mat, secure it with pegs and install a border around the run to avoid losing woodchip. Populate your run with a 5-7.5cm thick layer of wood chip, then let your chickens explore their new, mud-free surface. Depending on your needs, both rubber mats and green turf protectors can be effective choices.

Chicken Coop Wood Chips: Keeping it Clean & Healthy

A well-maintained chicken run with hardwood woodchip can greatly contribute to the cleanliness and overall health of your chickens. Here are some steps to follow:

Subsequent sections will further expand on the various processes and steps to maintaining clean and healthy coops, including the use of hardwood woodchip.

Regular Raking and Washing

To ensure sanitary conditions and prevent any unpleasant odors, it is important to maintain the hardwood woodchip in your chicken run by raking and turning them. Additionally, flipping the wood chips approximately once a month and replacing them one or two times annually can help maintain the cleanliness.

Disinfectants and Ground Sanitising Powders

Disinfectants and ground sanitising powders play a crucial role in treating parasites and germs in your chicken run, guaranteeing a secure environment for your poultry. Some products that can be used to maintain the ground cleanliness and freshness in your chicken run include:

Regular use of these natural product can help safeguard against parasites and germs in your chicken run, promoting a safe and healthy environment for your happy hens.

Refreshing and Replacing Floor covering

When you use hardwood woodchip for chicken run floor covering, over time, the wood chip in your chicken run will need to be refreshed or replaced to maintain optimal living conditions for your poultry. Knowing when and how to replace the wood chips is crucial for a clean and healthy pen.

When to Replace Chicken Run Wood Chips

There are several signs that may indicate it’s time to replace the wood chips in your chicken run, including:

Mold or fungi growth, characterized by discoloration, presence of spores, and a musty odor, is another sign that the wood chips need to be replaced. Lastly, a soft, spongy texture and a sour smell could indicate the breakdown or decomposition of the wood chips, necessitating their replacement due to high moisture content.

Calculating Wood Chip Needs

To determine the amount of wood chip needed for your chicken run, you use an online calculator, such as our wood chip calculator. All you need are the length and width of the area you wish to cover, and the depth of the wood chip floor. Once you put this into the calculator it will give you an estimate of the amount of wood chips required to maintain a clean and healthy environment for your hens. Remember to maintain a depth of wood chips in your chicken run between approx 5-10 cm.

Sourcing Quality Chicken Wood Chips

Finding quality wood chip for your pets is essential to ensure a clean and healthy environment. There are several options available for sourcing wood chips, including local suppliers and bulk bags.

Local Wood Chip Suppliers

Sourcing wood chip from local suppliers has numerous benefits, including:

You can find local wood chip suppliers by finding their website or consulting with your local community. It’s important to evaluate the quality and safety of the wood chips prior to use, keeping in mind that seasonal variations can influence their condition.

Delivery of Bulk Bags

Purchasing wood chip in bulk bags or in boxes from affordable suppliers can be both convenient and a good value. Bulk bags allow you to have larger quantities delivered, potentially leading to savings in the long run.

Summary

In conclusion, wood chips are a highly beneficial and versatile option for chicken run flooring. By choosing the right type of wood chips, maintaining proper depth and a cleaning process, and sourcing from reliable suppliers, you can create a clean, healthy, and engaging environment for your birds. With the right care and attention, your chicken run will not only be a safe haven for your poultry but also a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for your garden.

FAQs

How do I get wood chips for chicken run near me?

Searching for hardwood wood chips near me? Hardwood chip consisting mostly of 10 – 30mm particle sizes in a 50 Litre sack cover an estimated 1 square meter to a depth of 50mm.

Is wood chippings OK for chickens?

Wood chippings can be a great addition to a chicken run, as long as they are of a the hardwood chip variety. Hardwood woodchip is more resistant to releasing fine spores which can cause respiratory illnesses in chickens.

What is the best woodchips for chicken coops?

The best woodchips for chicken coops are hardwood woodchip due to their hard-wearing, clean, and damp resistant. They provide a soft and cushioned texture for the chickens to roam, scratch, and peck on as well as being mostly 10 – 30mm particle sizes with softened edges and very little garden bark.

What should I put down in a muddy chicken runs?

For a wet or muddy chicken run, I recommend layering the ground with sand, rubber chippings or gravel for improved drainage and adding a dry sandbox under cover for the chickens to dust bath in. Wood chips are also beneficial, as they break down slowly over time while offering your chickens food sources.

How often should wood chips be raked and washed in a chicken run?

Wood chips should be raked and washed at least monthly to maintain sanitary conditions and prevent unpleasant odors.