Guest Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Was just reading that thread about hemcore and think someone said they re-did their run every 6 months!? Must be a huge run DH did our run about 2 weeks ago and the aubiose has already disappeared (been dug) into the soil! Click on the link in my signature to see the 'before' shot when he'd just put it in- that's a whole bale of aubiose in there by the way. and here's the 'after' shot about 2 weeks later.... he's going to have to do it again in about a week I'd say. should it be going this fast? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Mine disappears too..... but so does the poo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 I find it disappears the more it gets rained on. I add wood chip during the winter as well and that seems to really sort things out. Also it disappeared quicker when we were first using it than now. I think my soil was so poor it was soaking it in as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 do you think a quick rake-over would be a good idea or just leave it alone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 I'd just leave it be Poet - the hens will move it around any way. Mine have about half a bale of hemcore in an eglu run with a converter - they've scooted it all up by the eglu I just let them get on with it until it looks a bit manky, then I clear it all out and put some lime down and a new layer of hemcore. hens don't mind it being a bit grubby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 My Eglu run looks exactly the same as your run floor Poet. I originally put about a quarter of a bale into the run it looked lovely and clean and fluffy for about 3 days and then it was either kicked out or pecked in. I add a new lot once a week when I do the BIG clean out. I still prefer it to bark the poo really does disappear, and I 'think' they prefer it, but it's difficult to read a chicken's mind Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 thanks everyone. Incredible how it just seems to vanish into the soil! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 I agree with Trish, if its wet it always goes like this. When its dry and sunny mine seems to stay dry and pristine! Mine's all soggy (even though its covered) and with the constant rain we've had down here its not even having chance to dry out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 I agree with Trish, if its wet it always goes like this. When its dry and sunny mine seems to stay dry and pristine! Mine's all soggy (even though its covered) and with the constant rain we've had down here its not even having chance to dry out. hmmm, wonder when it will be dry and sunny again!? I can't wait for some sun and some longer days so the chooks can play out for longer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Mine's all soggy (even though its covered) and with the constant rain we've had down here its not even having chance to dry out. I just sprinkle a bit more on top and wait for a decent day to hose it all away and start again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 I've used 1 1/2 bales since I got the girls. I raked off the top layer a few weeks ago (or they wouldn't have had much head room ), put lime down and new hemcore. Looks a bit grubby now, but has stayed much cleaner looking since I put plastic over the whole roof of the run. I've thought of a cunning plan for adding fresh hemcore without moving the run. I got a long length of polythene (in a tube shape) when I bought the plastic sheeting from Dunelm Mill - it was the packaging off the material that you buy by the metre. Tie a knot in one end and you have a very long narrow plastic bag. Fill completely with hemcore, shove in through the door and shuggle it about till the hemcore comes out. Sounds good in theory - haven't put it into practice yet! Might be so much hassle filling the bag that it'll not be worth it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxanne Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 I've thought of a cunning plan for adding fresh hemcore without moving the run. I got a long length of polythene (in a tube shape) when I bought the plastic sheeting from Dunelm Mill - it was the packaging off the material that you buy by the metre. Tie a knot in one end and you have a very long narrow plastic bag. Fill completely with hemcore, shove in through the door and shuggle it about till the hemcore comes out. You could always use a long tube (like a roll they use for carpet or lino) and just shovel the hemcore down - then you could direct it into position!!! Less frightening for the hens than a big plastic shaking sausage! The thought of it really made me laugh!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 I sprinkle it in from above through the top of the run. I take the plastic covers off first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 (edited) Same here! If the hens don't get out of the way they get covered in Aubiose but they shake it off Edited December 5, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 a big plastic shaking sausage! Perhaps I should let the girls out during the "plastic shaking sausage" operation . I'll have to try it soon - I'll be sure to post a photo of my sausage . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Aubiose disappearing like this really is the ultimate in composting,isn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Aubiose disappearing like this really is the ultimate in composting,isn't it? I just wish it would take longer than 2 weeks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxanne Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 I just wish it would take longer than 2 weeks! I have noticed that the hemcore that gets wet on one side of my run just doesn't dry and needs replacing - perhaps if you did use a shower curtain to keep off the worst of the rain it might help. Once it's wet, it seems to be useless, so the emphasis on prolonging its life is to keep it dry! I used an old clear shower curtain (you could use hd plastic sheeting) and fixed it to the chicken wire with plant ties to stop it flapping. It kept my chickens and the flooring dry while they were out in the garden in an exposed run. As long as there is abreeze going through it should be OK. You could cover the front of your run... but dont use anything too flimsy because the hens will peck it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
