YKershaw Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 We have had our three lovely girls for 3 weeks now, they are fab! They are on the grass at the moment, but when we go on holiday in May we want to keep them of it. Are wood chipping better than bark chippings as they break down slower? Chunky chippings? We have found a supplier of Leylandi chippings which has quite a lot of twigs and evergreen bits in it. Would this be interesting for the chooks or not very healthy? Opinions would be very welcome! Thanks, we love the forum. Yvonne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 Hi, I am glad you are enjoying your hens! Wood chips are better than bark as bark may carry a mould spore which may be harmful to the hens. BUT - even better still is either Aubiose or Hemcore. There are a naturally derived horse bedding which are ligt,compost beautifully & highly absorbant.They are also perfect in the poo tray & nest box Many of us who have tried it now wouldn't use anything else - my hens have a big walk in pen (piccy below,more in my Gallery) with an Aubiose floor which they live in 24/7 Most Equinne suppliers stock it.Its about £7-8 a bale & goes a very long way. Hope this help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 Ditto to what Cinnamon says about Aubiose. Super stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 I only have Easibed available near me and I started using it last week. I am amazed that it is so light and absorbant that I don't need to clean out today as it's still really fresh. I rake the dreid poo out each day for a friend's garden and there's still loads left. I would definately go down the aubiose/hemcore/Easibed route. I had my chooks on wood chips and what a nightmare. They are filthy now and expensive to replace. It cost me £45 for wood chips and they haven't lasted very long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 I had my chooks on wood chips and what a nightmare. They are filthy now and expensive to replace. It cost me £45 for wood chips and they haven't lasted very long. ..............and horrible heavy to rake out too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YKershaw Posted April 26, 2008 Author Share Posted April 26, 2008 Thanks, everyone. I have found an aubiose supplier locally. Is it very light and will blow away? Do you build up the sides of the run with something to keep it in? How deep do you have it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 yes I have boards up the side of the run as chooks love to kick hemcore and aubiose. It wont blow away everywhere. Aubise and hemcore/or similar is wonderful in the run. I wouldnt use anything else. the poo's seem to magically disappear in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FORENSICA Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 I have my girls on wood chips and can't complain yet. The price seems ok to me, since I buy one bale at B&Q for £5 and think it should last about 6 weeks till it needs cleaning. Had it for 2 and looks good. I think I would try hemcore, but that would have to be delivered (additional costs)and I would have to store it (shed is rather full now). Like this, I just drive for one bale of wood chips and use all at one go when need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutcracker Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 Mine are on bark at the moment. Would I be able to use hemcore/aubiose in a run that doesn't have a roof? I should have thought all that lovely absorbentness (surely that isn't a proper word) would just absorb rain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 I have my girls on wood chips and can't complain yet. The price seems ok to me, since I buy one bale at B&Q for £5 and think it should last about 6 weeks till it needs cleaning. Had it for 2 and looks good. I think I would try hemcore, but that would have to be delivered (additional costs)and I would have to store it (shed is rather full now). Like this, I just drive for one bale of wood chips and use all at one go when need it. It took 9 bags to fill the run my chooks have!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chookle brother Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 Does chipped bark really have a spore that is harmful to the hens or is this hearsay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One_Box Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Omlet discuss putting houses/runs on bark chippings on their website. I cannot imagine they would do this if it posed a danger to the girls. I have two houses on bark chippings at present without problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Does chipped bark really have a spore that is harmful to the hens or is this hearsay? The very expert chap at our local poultry centre says that the white mould you see on bark as it rots is botulism which the hens can become infected with if they eat it. Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One_Box Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Well if that's the case Jomaxsmith I think I will change to Hemcore. I just need to put some light shuttering around the runs to contain it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Mine are on bark at the moment. Would I be able to use hemcore/aubiose in a run that doesn't have a roof? I should have thought all that lovely absorbentness (surely that isn't a proper word) would just absorb rain? It would absorb the rain I'm afraid. That it its only drawback. Could you rig up something like perspex sheeting or a tarpaulin to cover it? Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucking mad Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Ditto to what Cinnamon says about Aubiose. Super stuff. totally agreed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...