Stoat killed hens asleep in the Eglu

[Beki]

Hiya

 

My chooks' ru is on a patch of grass which has turned into a mudbath in the last few days The run's non moveable, so i need to put something down as outdoor bedding.

 

What can i use? I was thinking of auboise, but i'm thinking that would be better on slabs/concrete? Not on mud.

 

Would shavings be ok? It's just that i'm off out in a bit to the farm shop (hence quick answer appreciated ) and they sell shavings there. They don't sell straw or hay. But they sell all manner of horse bedding (inclyding auboise).

 

Another option would be bark, but i'm not going anywhere near anywhere that sells any for a few days, and really we wanted some bedding down today.

 

Thanks xxxx

[Mrs Webmuppet]

I have my run on paving slabs with hemcore (a horsey bedding) on top. It makes it easy to keep clean and stops my bantams fluffy legs getting too clogged with mud.

[WitchHazel]

Aubiose is excellent.

 

I used to use it for my horses, and now I use it for the chooks.

 

It's clean, easy to handle, rots down quiclly when composted...

[Snowy]

Aubiose is fine on mud - it will keep the top layer nice and dry for them. You may need to change it more frequently if the run is uncovered, but it will still be OK.

[Mirkwood]

i love HEMCORE

[Egluntyne]

Aubiose....on slabs....run covered.

[Olly]

aubiose - on mud (used to be grass) - run partly covered. It stops it turning into a mudbath, you just need to dig it out every so often.

[Beki]

Thanks everyone

 

I *almost* bought aboise, and was just about to load into onto the sack trolley, when the lady who works there got chatting to me and said that she would recommend rape straw.

 

She said the poo would just sit on the top and would be a lot easier to muck out. It was also about £3 cheaper per bale

 

Will add some photos in a minute.. the girls love it! They're scratching round like mad women!

 

xxxx

[Beki]

Here you go

 

 

 

[Beki]

ooops double posting - sorry!

Edited March 18, 2008 by Guest

[Egluntyne]

Are the pieces small Beki......if not.....watch that they don't eat it, as you could end up with a bird with an impacted crop.

 

Most of us don't use straw or hay for that reason.

[Beki]

Ooooh poooooo

 

Looks like it's back to the farm shop tomorrow then

[Egluntyne]

Sorry Beki.....that was why we were keen to recommend Aubiose or Hemcore.

 

So the strands are long I take it?

 

What a shame. Best to be on the safe side though.

[Beki]

Yes, they're all between about 1" and 3" long very fine, but still...

 

To be honest, i should have gone for the auboise... the lady convinced me of the rape straw though... that'll teach me to just buy what's on my shopping list won't it?! lol

 

Thanks for the advice

[Mirkwood]

Beki

I put straw into my nestbox and was told about impacted crop so promplty took it out again. Now The hens, budgie, quail and Rabbit are all on Hemcore i think its better that anything else. When i have to take out my wood chips thats what i'm using without fail, not just in the nest box. By the way fantastic looking chooks

[Beki]

Awwww... i've just told my lovely OH about this, expecting him to be a bit miffed (he loves the eggs, but gets a bit 'umpty' about spending money on the chooks! lol ), and he said "we'll use the straw for the pony, and pop back to the farm shop in a minute and get the auboise"

 

awwww bless him he does have to put up with a lot from me

[LJ's Chooks]

every time I log on it costs me more money - we've been using straw or chopped straw in nest box - didn't know any better off to the farm shop later.

 

dont the small bits drop through the bottom of the nest box though We probably need it in the run too, we've got grass at the moment, but I'm sure it will be gone in a week

 

Wormer yesterday, bokashi the day before, hemcore today... any suggestions for the novice to buy tomorrow I'm sure hubby is going to lose it with me when he sees the bill

[Egluntyne]

every time I log on it costs me more money - we've been using straw or chopped straw in nest box - didn't know any better off to the farm shop later.

 

dont the small bits drop through the bottom of the nest box though We probably need it in the run too, we've got grass at the moment, but I'm sure it will be gone in a week

 

Wormer yesterday, bokashi the day before, hemcore today... any suggestions for the novice to buy tomorrow I'm sure hubby is going to lose it with me when he sees the bill

 

Some bits do go through LJ...but it is never a massive problem.

 

Re the bill....don't show him.

 

[Mirkwood]

Yep i have spent a fortune in the last week on these chickens that are meant to save us money I have just spent more getting a Glug.

Tut Tut Angela you must stop spending

I'm glad you have decided to swop you floor covering. as i think Egluntine said better to be save than sorry

Edited March 18, 2008 by Guest

[Rhapsody]

Oh dear sorry you've been given bad advice I just wanted to add that any kind of straw is an ideal home for parasites too. Might make OH feel better that you are actually saving him money on vet supplies

[Beki]

Lol... i did drop that into the conversation too, which helped i think...

 

I told him about impacted crop "and it can cost HUNDREDS to put right - operations etc... the WORKS!!!"

 

Am i naughty

[Mirkwood]

you know the "hundreds" trick too. My latest is "the guys on the forum"

[LJ's Chooks]

Do "the guys on the forum" pay my credit card bill too

[Mirkwood]

Well they could!!! I am blessed with a husband who most of the time doesn't mind what i spend but yesterday i received my Wiggly Wigglers book, that usually puts the fear of god into him. But i saw Bee Hives and he got slightly worried . Mmmmm i wouldn't mind a few bee's

[Beki]

Hehehe.. bees... that's my next venture i think Of course, OH doesn't even have an inkling... YET

 

Well, the rape straw is OUT and the auboise is IN

 

Chooky found it quite amusing being shut away for half an hour while we cleaned it out and put the auboise down.. she came back out and scratched around, flicking it all about with her head, as if to say "you've changed my carpet..... AGAIN?!"

 

Then proceeded to bury herself in it until you could only see her head and one wing

 

Mabel and Gertrude didn't bat an eyelid.. as usual.. nothing seems to phase them

 

Thanks for the advice everyone xxxx