debbie26pet Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 netto got a grt deal on decorative woodland bark i need some for garden can i use in there run as well? they love it on my bedding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 I think some do use it but I think it can sometimes cause problems because of mould spores. It would be Ok if you changed it every so often I guess. Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisnrob Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 We switched from bark chippings to wood chippings because of the potential problems from mould spores growing on the bark (which can cause respiratory problems in chickens). You would also need to be careful if the bark chippings are dyed (which decorative ones sometimes are) as the dye might be harmful to chooks... Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 I used bark for ages, in an eglu run with the winter shade on all the time, and my girls were fine. If you have a walk-in run, though, it is likely to get wet and slimy, which is not so good. The main reason I've switched is that, with the type of base shown on the Omlet product pages, the bark outside the run gets kicked around the garden when the chickens free-range Now I put bedding inside the run only (with fine netting on the lower half of the run to keep it in), and use hemcore as it's easier to rake out than chippings and more absorbent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 I just bought chunky wood chippings/nuggets (they are smooth rather than sharp pieces) from B&Q for our chooks/Eglu which arrive on Tuesday...hope I bought the right stuff? Lou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCoop Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 We use bark chippings and the chooks love it. Before I let them out in the morning, I get in the run and try and clear some of the more obvious poos , then spread it evenly again for them. That way they have more to scratch around for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted April 6, 2008 Author Share Posted April 6, 2008 We use bark chippings and the chooks love it. Before I let them out in the morning, I get in the run and try and clear some of the more obvious poos , then spread it evenly again for them. That way they have more to scratch around for. so do u think its ok to use the one form netto? as lot cheaper than the aubiose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCoop Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 I would have thought so. Ours cost £4.99 for a 100L bag (from one of these country store places that sell lots of farm/smallholding gear) which covers our run area nicely. The chooks don't seem phazed by it, but other people will tell you different things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 At the Thorne's talk today, Frank said the spores that grow on ornamental bark chippings can cause botulism in chickens if they eat it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinkybijou Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 I used bark chippings at first, but because of the fear of mould/spores etc I switched to wood chippings. My chooks seem happy with it and I don't think they eat it, it's too big! I take out any obvious poos and every couple of weeks or so have a full clear out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsm_jones Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 I have just switched to Hemcore, as the wood chippings were taking up too much room in the composter Hopefully the Hemcore with compost a bit more quickly, as we haven't even had to mow the grass yet and the compost bin is already full to bursting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCoop Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Is Hemcore like wood/bark chippings then?? Suitable for outdoors?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...