Note from FSF: We have added this product to our range for use in the garden where any permanent paths are required with a natural look of bark and we think this is a great use of old tyres. However, unlike other websites we do not recommend them for use in a poultry run although they have been widely advertised for that use (and we have tried this ourselves) we do not consider them a suitable surface for hens for many reasons.
Firstly you need to place a membrane down on the ground under the rubber chips and this then prevents the hen poo being washed away either by rain or with a hose. If putting on slabs or concrete then it must have the ability to allow water (and mess) to flow away easily. We found it smelled if not cleaned with a hose every other day (hardwood woodchip does not). A big question is, what do you do with them when you don't want them anymore or if you want to refresh/renew them? You can't add them to the compost, all you can do is fill up landfill sites hence not quite so eco-friendly. And finally, because the rubber chips still have peices of rayon cord from the tyre carcass attached, not only did the hens try to eat them but they also got stuck to their claws and they did get dirty.
Although we think these are great to save work in the garden and for the pathways to the hens or around their pen and will keep it looking nice - and this is just our personal opinion - we do not think it is a good surface for a chicken run.
We do definitely recommend hardwood woodchip though (see link below), this is an excellent surface for hens with no downside that we have found yet.
