I have just bought some bark from B&Q (the sort that you put around plants) to make the area of garden for our chickens more interesting.
It has come out of the bag with whitish marks on it which could be according to the packet a fungal which is harmless to plants.

IS THIS OK FOR THE CHICKENS OR SHOULD I TAKE IT UP?

It sounds like a kind of fungus/mould. I am not an expert but I know alot of people who use bark form the DIY stores for their chickens so I would think this is ok. Do you have a covered run or open?

They have a hen house with a run underneath in an area of the garden which is fenced off. They go in and outduring the day in this area which is part grass, part soil where grass once was! and a couple of shrubs. Before the chicks hatched they were used to whole garden (100ft/40ft) but now only have 15ft/15ft approx. So thought I would make the area a little more interesting so they wouldn't hover near the fence to get out!

What lucky hens!

I only wondered as if the run was covered you could use Aubiose on the floor but otherwise bark is the best option I believe! It definitely gives them something to scratch around in and stops the ground getting all muddy and pooey!

I use bark on the floor of my chicken run 8ft by 6ft floor space, i got my bark from a rugby ground where they chopped aload of trees down and put them through a chipper it was in piles on the ground so helped myself haha.

I havnt had any problems yet touch wood


mitch

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Thanks Guys, I feel better now our lovely English weather ie. rain has given it a huge soaking overnight!

Chipped wood is much better. It is lighter, for them to scratch about in, and for you to shift when clearing out time comes. Also. bark harbours moulds and sore which could have an adverse effect on your chickens health.

Make friends with your local tree surgeon.