Martin B Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 Please take part in my poll to find out which bedding most of you use for your chooks! Kind Regards ---Martin--- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 Martin - you should be saying goodnight - you're up late again I've clicked on shredded paper, but we use that or chopped straw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Mine don't have bedding as they sleep on the roosting bars but I do put lots of shredded paper in the droppings tray to make emptying much easier and it all goes on the compost heap to make smashing compost for my veggies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Ours is just in the droppings tray as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Bad chicken mummy Mine get nothing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymama Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Ours roost on the edge of the nesting box so it's full of poo in the mornings. But under the roosting bars I put sawdust, obtained from Wilkinsons for enough for about 6 changes for £1 It means I don't have to scrub the undertray at all, so I don't have to dry it or wait for it to dry before I put more in. And it just all slides off onto the garden / compost / binliner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Shredded paper in the nest box, and folded newspaper to line the droppings tray, for my 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 A little bit of barley straw in the nesting box where little lily sleeps, & the new Bokashi bran thinly sprinkled in the droppings tray here.It is really making it smell MUCH better (& with 6 hens worth of poo to deal with,that is a distinct bonus!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 I use straw in the nest box and the new Bokashi in the droppings tray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Straw in the nesting box..... or shredded paper if I run out ... and newspaper to line the poo tray. Gives them something interesting to read whilst they're laying their eggs I'm interested in the sound of that Bokashi bran though, especially if it really does help with smells- I might have to order some then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Hi Martin, for the 1st few weeks I tried everything & the chooks just turfed it out, so for several months I just left the nesting box bare. That was fine, and they seemed to like it. But, the last few months the nesting box was getting covered in poo every day, so I now use sawdust. They like it, and I like it, it's so easy to scoop out and replenish, but doesn't get scattered like the straw did. I used to use newspaper for droppings tray, but tend to just tip & wipe most days, with a good wash just now & again. I'll just add, that you shouldn't use hay as the chooks will eat it but this can lead to impacted crop, straw is OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura007 Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 mine dont have any, they like to roost on the bars. i do put newspaper in the poop tray as it is easier to empty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 I always remember the rule that Motherhen told us. Hay is for eating Straw is for bedding. Sheila mentions about the crop problems with Hay Martin. We have a paper shredder at home, and although I voted for straw, our chooks regulary sleep on our old bills and bank statements It's a good way of recycling, and the whole lot gets emptied into the compost bin once it's used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Straw in the nesting box..... or shredded paper if I run out ... and newspaper to line the poo tray. Gives them something interesting to read whilst they're laying their eggs I'm interested in the sound of that Bokashi bran though, especially if it really does help with smells- I might have to order some then The Omlet lads mentioned that the Bokashi stuff can be given in the feed too, and it is supposed to neutralise the acidity of their poo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 The Omlet lads mentioned that the Bokashi stuff can be given in the feed too, and it is supposed to neutralise the acidity of their poo. Maybe I should slip some in with The Hubbys weetabix then,if the bathroom this morning was anything to go by Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 That made me laugh Sarah!! what a good idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamsin Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 In the Eglu nesting box i use hemp.In my other run that isnt a eglu it like a summer house i use hay because its in a larger area it would be spread out too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Are your chooks ok on the hay Tamsin? I understand it can be a bit life threatening to a chicken if they start eating it and it clogs up their crops...not to worry you at all....and certainly not being nosey (do tell me to mind my own business)...but I think straw might be better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 I use newspaper in the poo tray and kitchen roll in the nest box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clare* Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 I have sawdust in the tray and straw in the nextbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamsin Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Are your chooks ok on the hay Tamsin? I understand it can be a bit life threatening to a chicken if they start eating it and it clogs up their crops...not to worry you at all....and certainly not being nosey (do tell me to mind my own business)...but I think straw might be better? I have had my chickens on it coming up for two years on hay,and i have nevr seen them eat it,if i had just started giving my chickens hay then i proberly would have been worried,howeva now you mention it if they did start eating it (but i dont think they will after all this time) i would change as i didnt know that ,cheers for telling me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 My chickens expect the best - they only lay their eggs on the soft thighs of Virgin Brazilian handmaids... either that - or shredded newspaper - whichever is closest to hand... Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 Mine have nothing, nada, nil. Roost on the roosing bars and lay the eggs in the draughty nexting box designed for the purpose. Mean, mean, mean (but get plenty of eggs ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 My chickens expect the best - they only lay their eggs on the soft thighs of Virgin Brazilian handmaids.. you have a stock pile of these then Phil ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 My chickens expect the best - they only lay their eggs on the soft thighs of Virgin Brazilian handmaids.. you have a stock pile of these then Phil ? Or are they just queuing at your door Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...