DW Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 I'm new to hen/eglu keeping and the girls' run is on woodchips. I've only had them a week (during which they've been confined to the run), but will be letting them free-range, soon. I work part-time, so I guess they'll be free-ranging about half the time. How often should I replace the woodchips in the run? and what's the best thing to do with the soiled ones? Composting seems the obvious answer, but I'm worried they'll take too long to rot down. We only have a fairly small garden, so our composting capacity is 2 x 220l plastic dalek things.... D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 About every six weeks or so. I use **Aubiose** and it composts quite quickly. Can you dig it into the soil around the garden? Not on the veg patch or around tender young plants though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I have to say I used wood chips to start with and they dont last anywhere near as long as aubrose/hemcore does. I did it every month and even then it was very questionable at this point. I think you just need to look at it, you can tell when it needs changing as it all looks claggy and solid looking. Plus is you get a lot of rain it will need changing sooner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bondinho Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Yes I agree with CatsCube, when I had woodchips they would need doing after 4 or 5 weeks as the poo didn't absorb as well. But I've had hemcore for 3 or 4 weeks now and it still looks like normal! As a recent convert, I would definitely recommend finding a supplier of hemcore/aubiose as it is much easier, and my missus prefers it as it looks nicer in the garden apparently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwichick Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Hemcore people - how long does the hemcore last before it needs to be changed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DW Posted February 28, 2008 Author Share Posted February 28, 2008 Thanks for all advice - It looks as if Hemcore will be the best option. Only trouble is, I've got at least 2 cubic metres of extra woodchips on my drive at the moment...... ......Anyone in Sheffield want some garden mulch....? D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Another Sheffielder!! Why not Freecycle it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Hemcore people - how long does the hemcore last before it needs to be changed? I change the Auboise (similar to Hemcore) 4/6 weeks ish. And then throw it all in my compost bin. You do need to keep the run covered with something (like a shower curtain) to stop the rain making it soggy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bondinho Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Hemcore people - how long does the hemcore last before it needs to be changed? Mine is still looking normal after 4 weeks - the poo literally disappears and it doesn't smell either. Weird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 I change the Aubiose roughly every 6 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 I change mine every 2 weeks This is not absolutely necessary though, im a clean freak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...