Poorly chicken

[PurpleHen]

That's a lovely picture Jackie, and reminds me that my Aubiose has been in the run since Easter and really needs replacing

 

Oh good - that means there's a couple of months left in mine!

[The Dogmother]

Yup, it lasts for ages, mine were run-bound for a few days and it deteriorated quicker then, but it was also raining, so it got rather muddy

[Aunty e]

I've been given a shed load of bark nuggets (apparently bigger and nicer than wood chips) AND a bale of aubiose. So I was thinking I woulddo a massive session this week of lifting the run off (again) and digging out skanky pellets and putting down a layer of aubiose and then covering it with Bark nuggets. Pictures to follow...

[The Dogmother]

Good luck. I was going to do the same this weekend

[Guest]

Can I just ask then, is it best to use Aubiose as a base and wood chips on top or a mixture of both - I intend to house my chooks on a concrete base?

 

Laura

[Martin B]

I have to say that I was quite impresssed with the Aubiose. When I saw it at Clare's last weekend!

[Guest]

Is aubiose better than wood chips though? or should I be mixing the two?

 

Laura

[Martin B]

Not sure. Clare says that the aubiose is better and does not rot or go really mouldy and soggy!

[Guest]

I would be very interested in opinions as to whether aubiose is better than wood chips on concrete - dont want to make a mistake!!!

 

Laura

[Martin B]

I'm sure somebody will be able to help!

[PurpleHen]

Hi Laura,

 

We have a concrete base and use no wood chips, just the Aubiose. That is what you can see in the photo further up the thread.....

 

Good luck

[The Dogmother]

There's your answer then Laura - I was just going to recommend Aubiose on it's own, but I don't have it on concrete.

[PurpleHen]

Actually, it's on paving slabs - which is a what I was terming concrete base - as we had a large paved area anyway - it seemed worth saving the grass! When we move house we are going to put slabs down where we want it, just so it provides good fox security too

[The Dogmother]

Good idea Jackie - it's easier to hose down too. Do you secure the edges of the run down in any way?

[PurpleHen]

No - I just make sure that the edges of the run have no obstructions underneath so that the run lies flat on the slabs - therefore making it difficult (sometimes impossible ) for us to lift the edges up. When the Aubiose builds up at the edges I get my OH to lift the side (just holding the wall - if you see what I mean ) and then I brush it back inside.

 

I can't belive any animal would be able to lift it at all, let alone get underneath, when it's on slabs. Certainly prevents the digging problem (by the chooks as well )

[The Dogmother]

That's a great idea. I currently have mine on impacted earth with Aubiose on the top. I am considering paving underneath the whole run to make it easier to clean.

[kannie]

We have ours on concrete, and have put a line of bricks around the edge, sitting on the skirt of the run. It looks quite neat and I think helps to confine the mess a bit. Does make it much harder to move, but I'm 100% sure a fox couldn't lift it.

[Mel (& Paul)]

Unless they had HUGE muscles (and opposable thumbs)

[Guest]

I've just put some Aubiose down. We didn't really have any bark chips left, so the chickens were just on compacted, smelly mud!

 

The aubiose looks lovely, the chickens thought they'd been given a new home and seemed a bit confused for a while!

 

It must be cheaper than bark/wood chips too. I think my huge bale cost £7.50 and we have used about a quarter in the run.

[The Dogmother]

I thought that too, it seems to go on for ever. I have had one bale since Easter and have been using it for the bunnies too, it is about 2/3s down now.

[Sheilaz]

I'll be interested how you get along Ginette. I knew I'd forgotten something, I meant to get some last time I needed pellets. I buy the food at a horse suppliers as it's cheaper, so will look next time!

[Guest]

It's much easier to use too!

 

I got mine from the Farm supplies shop too last time I bought pellets. That was quite a while ago and it has been sitting in the garage ever since!

[The Dogmother]

I use an old dustpan to shovel it out of the wrapping.

[Mel (& Paul)]

I will try and get some - at the moment we use bark mulch from a local supplier.

I use Paul to get the bark out of the bag......

[clare*]

I found a great scoop in Sainsbury's.

 

Its 35p and it is in the children's summer play toys bit. It's meant for a sandpit really but its perfect.