❤ helps so much with the mud. Great way to give the girls a place to dig and find treats. Yes it will keep it cooler because of moisture retention. Yes all natural even though the dyes used are water based. I also add additional compost a softer mix and my girls are busy all day long and I make piles that they have to dig it up to find the Worms bugs etc. They are constantly active clucking with the scratch mixed in

Years ago, one of my girl cousins majored in poultry at Cal Polly Tec, San Luis Obispo. She taught me abt the deep litter method for the chicken house. I also used this outside in their run. I've never had to turn it as the girls are really good rototillers themselves. This keeps the poo covered and turned under. I've never had Flys or smell. I've used wood chips because that's what I can get. In Cal, we get small amounts of rain. I've always put my coops and runs in well drained areas. I've never had bumble foot in 35 years and have always had abt 12-15 hens. I have a permanent sprinkler attached in the run. From outside, I can quick link a hose and turn in on when it gets hot. They appreciate the moisture in summer. The mulch is 8-12"deep. UNDERNEATH is the softest, black potting soil you've ever seen! I use it in and on everywhere! Thanks girls!

@realsimplemama

Жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thank you for teaching us! ✌🏻❤️🐓

We had a lot of mulch around our new house when we moved in. The girls have done a great job of ruining our beautiful mulch! They're such great diggers! I'm my small run, we use layers of straw. Since the girls free range, I just need to keep the lawn watered and the forest can handle itself. Your girls sure look happy, even with the heat. Happy anniversary!

This past spring I turned my girls run into a giant compost pile. All kitchen and yard waste gets spread into the run as well as all their poop. In just a few months I had enough compost to fill over 100 sq feet of raised garden beds. I love the idea of adding mulch to the run to produce even more compost. My city in Florida does free mulch so I have an unlimited supply.

So greatful for your channel! I have a really bad drainage problem in my backyard. I keep throwing pine pellets down but I just can't keep up with the water pooling around the coop and pretty much everywhere. I live in Washington state and of course in a town that was built on marsh land. I am going to give the mulch a try. 😊

@realsimplemama

2 жыл бұрын

Hey! I’m so sorry, that can be such a yucky stinky mess. I’d also look and see if Washington has free mulch from the city (even better because you want local wood), and also look into peat moss. It can be a bit pricey but it is super! Or maybe a bit of peat moss to mix in with the mulch. I have a whole video on peat moss too 😆

They will be so busy all day with this mulch too!! They look very happy with your decision! So cute.. : )

@realsimplemama

3 жыл бұрын

Lol oh yes anything to keep the little bird brains occupied 😄😄😄

Happy Happy Anniversary. Be safe and enjoy your day

Good video. What I have done for my coop of 25 chickens is start base off with five yards of potting soil from nursey (pay per bucket load).......and then I let my grass grow long in the yard and when I cut it.........I rake it up and put all of it in the coop each week..........and then use a pitch fork to turn it all over and let the chickens scatter it out again........this keeps the smell down......and the chicken run clean............ I am still learning........I am going to try and add some DE to the soil ....... and add lime.

@realsimplemama

Жыл бұрын

I’ve heard great things about Lyme but have never used it (be sure your was all safety warnings too!). DE will “not work” once it’s gotten wet so keep that in mind if using outside. The cut grass is a great idea as long as you don’t use pesticides or fertilizers! And you’re right they’ll constantly be moving the soil and cuttings around which helps break down the poop. ✌🏻❤️🐓

Here in Northern Ireland we have the opposite problem. Rain, high winds (as I live on top of a hill in the countryside) and chill factor. Thankfully my yard has both grass and then a substantial concreted area... Typical farmyard.... Plenty of places of different textures. The stones my have been causing the little cuts on their feet?? Mulch is also good for certain insects your girls will love xx

I started using mulch about a month ago, the girls love it, on super hot days i spray it down and it holds the moisture and stays cool for them, it has really cut down on the smell and the flies as well, it really has been a game changer for me

@realsimplemama

3 жыл бұрын

YAY I am so glad to hear that! I’m hopeful too.

Happy June is here

Love your video! Hey I had a questions so does the mulch help with flies when you fill your run with it? And also would like to know about the plant program in San Antonio my wife and I live in San Antonio as well!!

@realsimplemama

Жыл бұрын

Hi! The mulch can definitely help with flies but I recommend getting local wood (so for us in San Antonio that usually means cedar), and try not to get fancy dyed or anything ridiculous. I get the kind that’s mulched twice so it’s smaller pieces and it’s super cheap! The city offers free mulch too from their tree cuttings if you bring your own truck. The free plants program is through SAWS our water program! They have various Water Saver rewards programs. Email me if I can help more! ✌🏼❤️🐓 theMama@realsimplemama.com

Great tips. I already have tree mulch in my run but I never thought of wetting it to keep my chickens cool. Being that we’re expecting 95 degree days next week, this might be really helpful. As a side note, I don’t know how you live in such a hot climate and don’t worry yourself sick with your chickens staying cool. I live in the northeast and once it hits 85 degrees, I get very stressed about them staying cool. I even thought about taking them inside overnight even though that’s probably not feasible.

@realsimplemama

3 жыл бұрын

Hi! Yes the heat can be crazy here but lots of people have chickens. And luckily a lot of things you do are “one and done” ideas which will keep working every day without much additional work.

I haven’t seen one of your videos for quite some time I am subscribed to so many channels and I don’t get on here very often. But there you are a breath of fresh air. I really enjoyed your video today as I enjoy all of them. God bless you and thank you so much for everything that you do for us.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️

@realsimplemama

3 жыл бұрын

Hi honey! How have you been????? I’ve been quiet in here with new videos, we are fine but things have been so incredibly busy transitioning into summer! I’ll have quite a few more videos coming out over the next week to make up for missed time ✌🏼❤️🐓

@MJYouAreNotAlone1

3 жыл бұрын

@@realsimplemama we are doing well. I will be on the watch for your videos I feel like you’re a friend I wish you were next-door. Take care stay safe God bless you and your family girlfriend!❤️🙏. Oh and, happy happy anniversary sweetie!

@realsimplemama

3 жыл бұрын

Oh I feel that way too! And I hope that my content comes off as a neighborhood friend who’s just kind of a dork and gets excited about plants and chickens 😄 I’ll have more stuff posting this week!

@MJYouAreNotAlone1

2 жыл бұрын

@@realsimplemama you’re the best! We will be putting mulch in our outside chicken run this weekend.❤️🙏

You have the best ideas and tips!!

@realsimplemama

3 жыл бұрын

Oh thank you! I’m kind of an idiot but I like helping 😄

@alisonorigel573

3 жыл бұрын

@@realsimplemama 🤪

I got excited for a mulch sale and wanted to decorate the exterior perimeter of the run... Is red mulch bad for hens to be near?? I wouldn't put it in the run. They free range on weekends but the yard is so big they generally don't hang out at the run. ( But mulch may entice them 😞 ) I'm feeling like I might just use it in the front yard. I should've done research.

@realsimplemama

Жыл бұрын

Hi! If it’s in a well ventilated area you could risk it if you want. I don’t know how safe/unsafe the dye is so I just don’t use it, but I’ve also never researched to see how big of an issue it might be. ✌🏻❤️🐓

You’re a wonderful person my friend, happy wedding anniversary! My wife and I have been together for 17 years, it’s wonderful when you find the right soul! Happy happy give your girls lots of treats, and lots of love! Here’s hoping you don’t suffer like we do in Arizona this summer.🍻

@realsimplemama

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

Hi! I really enjoy your chicken videos! I'm a new chicken mama to five adorable girls. They are about 4.5 months old now and I'm already getting a daily egg from one of my girls! So, I live in the city and have a pretty small run, about 8'x10' plus a little extra on the side entry area. They have a lovely little coop, some toys, and a homemade dust bath. What I'm struggling with is the run. I started with grass but of course they destroyed that. Next I covered the ground with straw which they LOVED but it got stinky and gross after a few days of rain. The smell was out of this world when I raked it up to add new. After a couple weeks of that, I decided to just leave the bare ground (dirt) because the straw wasn't working and I wasn't sure what else to do. If I try this mulch idea, I'm assuming I need to completely cover the ground with a couple inches of natural mulch and then just stir it around every day or few days to keep it dry? What about bugs, will bugs thrive in the moist mulch? I also have a fly problem with these girls and their poop. I scoop their poop from their coop once a day like a litter box (I use pine shavings in the coop). Any advice you can give on their run and coop would be greatly appreciated!!

@realsimplemama

11 ай бұрын

Hey! I did a video recently about quick things I do to keep flies away. You can use as much or as little mulch as you feel like. It will keep the temp down, help with mud and the smell, and have bugs hiding in it! But I don’t feel like you have to have a thick layer or do it perfectly. You can also look into supplementing with barn lime, and/or peat moss. ✌🏻❤️🐓 I’m here to help too! theMama@realsimplemama.com

Horse pine shavings is awesome as well , bacteria resistant and economical .

@katelogan5091

Жыл бұрын

Do they get soggy and gross when it rains though? Shavings don't drain well....

@realsimplemama

Жыл бұрын

Yes shavings will get nasty when wet. They’re cheap and I love them for in my nesting boxes, but I personally won’t use them outside.

I used cedar mulch in one area of my chickens outdoor space and the girls loved it. They constantly scratched through it and kept them busy for hours. During the hottest part of the day, I would soak the ground and the mulched area till it was saturated and very cool. This does help a lot with keeping the hens cool. This year I'll do that again, plus I want to plant a couple of grape vines on a make shift arbor, so they will have some good shade and snack.

@realsimplemama

Жыл бұрын

Yay grapes! And yes the cool water is a great idea, anything to cool them down especially their feet. I have to set up my misters soon! It’s a battle every year. ✌🏻❤️🐓

How do you keep the flies at bay in the run? I’m having a major fly problem in the yard where my chickens and ducks are.

@realsimplemama

Жыл бұрын

Hi! I have a video here already but lots of ideas, most are really cheap and easy. I rake/move around the soil regularly to help poop break down, spray the run down, have lots of aromatic plants and a vinegar spray that helps too. ✌🏻❤️🐓

Hey! I really wish you would link to the stuff you use! The shade tarp. Use an affiliate link. :)

@realsimplemama

Жыл бұрын

Hey! Saw your comments - check the video description as that’s where I put them. Did I miss one?

thanks for your video. may i ask if you noticed any difference with flies?

@realsimplemama

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! I do lots of different things but flies aren’t a big issue for us. It helps if you can agitate/rake the stuff around regularly too. It’ll break down faster.

@xenia9956

2 жыл бұрын

@@realsimplemama thank you!!

What about pine shavings on the ground if I can’t get mulch?

@realsimplemama

3 жыл бұрын

Hmm. That I don’t know. I’m afraid it would be really nasty and soggy if it ever got wet. Maybe Google it and see if someone else had tried?

I moved into a new home which has mulch in the planters. I have no idea what the quality of it is. I read that some mulch might get moldy, and it would not be good for chickens. Any ideas on this?

@realsimplemama

2 жыл бұрын

Hmmm. Well you could choose to do nothing. But I would probably start raking some up to see what it looks like underneath - if it looks white and moldy and old, I would bag it up and get rid of it. Think about chickens agitating it and digging in it, and the layers they’d find. If it looks good leave it and if not I’d remove the best I can. BUT I also wouldn’t worry that it has to be perfect, I know that’s a messy job. Just do the best you can. ✌🏼❤️🐓

What did you use before you added the mulch?

@realsimplemama

2 жыл бұрын

The dirt 🤪 they are the grass within a few days when we moved in and it was just the dirt and rocks. I do add peat moss a few times a year but that’s not a significant part of the run. And I get bags of leaves in autumn if I can find them for free! But that’s it!

What type of fence are you using around your coop areas?

@realsimplemama

2 ай бұрын

Hi! I used up cycled rabbit wire for the outer perimeter. But anything closer in is hardware cloth since the gaps are so much smaller. If I could do it again (and had the money!) I’d do hardware cloth 100%. Anything that could get through, like a small snake, turns into Chicken Snack Food. 😎

@joannhasch9413

2 ай бұрын

What about around the yard area where your run is?

What are your thoughts on using sugar cane mulch?

@realsimplemama

Жыл бұрын

Hi! I’m not sure honestly. Do you have a local chicken group you can ask? Or a forum online? I’m not familiar with it at all. ✌🏻❤️🐓

I noticed that with mulch humidity increases and also the population of worms, which makes great food for the chickens, does that make sense?

@realsimplemama

Жыл бұрын

Ah that’s true too. I never thought of that! ✌🏻❤️🐓

Is this like the decorative bark?

@realsimplemama

11 ай бұрын

Hi! Yes sort of. It’s usually mulched or chopped up trees and branches, from your community or from a farm. It can be purchased in big bags like you buy soil, or sometimes your city has a “pick it up in your truck for free” bulk option. Look for local hardwood as it’s from the area, and avoid dyes and colored additives. I like “double shredded” so it’s finer and a bit softer. ✌🏻❤️🐓

Have you found using mulch has increased or decreased the smell/fly factor at all?

@realsimplemama

2 жыл бұрын

It certainly isn’t an issue! I feel like the increased range in texture and “layers” helps. But if you’re in an area that gets a ton of rain, it’ll help you to not slip but not help with much else. I mix with peat moss once or twice a year for the smell and absorption. But I do still prefer mulch over nothing - especially since you can often get it for free! ✌🏼❤️🐓

Where did you buy your misters?

@realsimplemama

2 жыл бұрын

Hi! I have my latest ones from Amazon, search for “mister” here on my channel. The affiliate link is listed. The old gray ones had to be replaced due to hard water buildup but the new ones are cleanable and have replaceable parts.

What are the best plants to use in a chicken run?

@realsimplemama

10 ай бұрын

Hi! I just did a video on this. 😎✌🏻❤️🐓

I can get a full load from my city. Do you recommend?

@realsimplemama

4 ай бұрын

Oooh yes I THINK so! I would just ask them where it’s from - local hardwood is great because no allergies 😎 but I’d make sure there’s nothing harmful like pesticide spray or anything.

Is mulch the best to use for helping decompose the poop? What is the best for that and the stink?

@realsimplemama

Ай бұрын

Hi! Mulch is great, I also love peat moss but it’s more expensive especially if you’re covering a larger area. You can also consider construction sand. ✌🏻❤️🐓

@kovenant7

Ай бұрын

@@realsimplemama have you tried pine pellets? Which is better for the stink?

@realsimplemama

Ай бұрын

@kovenant7 hey, actually no I haven’t. In theory they should be fine! But I let the coop open up and air out whenever I put in new materials to blow out the dust. Same with PDZ or any other bedding, just as a precaution. ✌🏻❤️🐓

Can you tell me if bumble foot issues were less or gone with mulch?

@realsimplemama

Жыл бұрын

Hi! I was so worried about it but honestly it’s less. I’m still battling thousands of rocks in my run (dumped here by previous owner) but things like mulch and peat moss really help. ✌🏻❤️🐓

@Thefightfortruth

Жыл бұрын

@@realsimplemama -Thank you.

Where in south texas are you?

@realsimplemama

10 ай бұрын

Hi! San Antonio area. ✌🏻❤️🐓

I put mulch in my run and now my chickens are digging holes soooo much worse than usual. Do your chickens dig big horrible holes daily ?

@realsimplemama

2 жыл бұрын

Hi! No they don’t actually. I do have a dedicated dust bath area

@kathynix6552

Жыл бұрын

Digging those gorgeous worms

what if my mulch have white dust is that ok ?

@realsimplemama

11 ай бұрын

I think so. That is usually harmless from what I understand but I’m not 100% sure so do more research. It’ll also help if you can spread out the mulch and let it lay in the sun! ✌🏻❤️🐓

How does mulch do for smell control?

@realsimplemama

Жыл бұрын

Hi! I would say that it does not help significantly. If you’re able to agitate it and rake it around, it can help droppings decompose and break down faster. But mulch on its own doesn’t really have anything to do with odor control. ✌🏼❤️🐓

@lionessofel3203

Жыл бұрын

​@@realsimplemamado you think sprinkling sweet pdz on the mulch before raking would control the smell?

@realsimplemama

Жыл бұрын

Hmmm it might… until it gets wet. 😳 PDZ is like a fine cat litter so it’ll clump end get reeeeally messy when it’s wet. I personally wouldn’t - just agitating regularly with a rake will speed up the breakdown of poop, and you can use things like herbs and a homemade deodorizing spray whenever you want! ✌🏻❤️🐓

@lionessofel3203

Жыл бұрын

@@realsimplemama great thank you! I heard of using sweet pdz for the coop doing deep litter method. What do you think about this?

@realsimplemama

Жыл бұрын

I’ve never done deep litter - it could potentially work! It depends though - if you plan to use the old litter as compost/in your garden, I would avoid it. But for odor absorption and clumping droppings, PDZ is the best!

I'm from SanAntonio. I want free mulch and plants too!!! Do tell please.

@realsimplemama

2 жыл бұрын

Hey! So the city has places where you can pick up mulch from when they collect tree branches and stuff. Look it up as I don’t remember where it is or if there are specific days/times. You need your own vehicle and they just dump it in the bed. Plants I get from doing classes with the Texas Ag group, Garden Savers, and other free programs in SA.

0:25 anyone else see the snake? im guessing its fake but why?

@realsimplemama

Жыл бұрын

Lol! Winner winner! I have mentioned it in a few other videos and comments, I bought the fake snakes as a deterrent when I first got chickens, thinking that it would scare them away from getting in my flower pots and messing up my plants. Of course they don’t care at all so now I just keep them around the chicken run. Every once in a while somebody notices them in a video and points them out 🐍✌🏼❤️🐓

@miller17013

Жыл бұрын

@@realsimplemama Im surprised they dont go crazy over it when a black snake comes near mine they tend to attack it to protect their nest i guess they have become used to it.

@realsimplemama

Жыл бұрын

Yes mine just ignore them now. But chickens are usually not afraid of snakes and will even eat them!