kimmi_b Posted June 7, 2008 Share Posted June 7, 2008 We took the plunge and created a lovely little section of the garden for the chooks, as it was clear we wouldn't have any grass otherwise Following Omlet site advice we housed an area using rolled logs, filled with bark chips and resited the Eglu. Happy days! But then read some posts stating that wood chippings are better Oops! Oh well, the warm weather has dried out the bark chips, when the weather turns and they start to get mulchy I will replace with wood chips. But we have a fly problem. It's impossible to poo pick at night because by the time I get back from work and let them out, they have scratched and kicked all their poop into the chippings, can't tell what was poop or what was bark!! For the moment I am sprinkling loads of barrier powder down and giving it a good rake over to deodorise but the flies don't seem to care Advice please guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted June 7, 2008 Share Posted June 7, 2008 Hose the chippings down-it will dilute the droppings.Also,get some citronella from garden centre and put some on a cloth then tuck it under the sun shade as this will help keep the flie away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieSB Posted June 7, 2008 Share Posted June 7, 2008 In addition to the citronella, our FliTrap is working an absolute treat on the mass of flies we have. And there is a source on eBay selling them for a really low price, so worth a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissinuk Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 In addition to the citronella, our FliTrap is working an absolute treat on the mass of flies we have. And there is a source on eBay selling them for a really low price, so worth a look. Since I moved ours to right above their run it has caught HUNDREDS of the damn things!! I can't recommend them enough, well worth getting. Only thing is.... I'm dreading emptying it this time - it was putrid last time and there were no where near as many flies I got mine here http://www.flitrap.com/ but it sounds like ebay may be a better option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Our run is in the shade until about midday and we have a thick layer of bark chips on a slight slope surrounded by planks. Our chips are about 10 inches deep at the deepest and about 6 inches at the shallowest on clay soil. They have been on there for over a year now without any problems. We fork it over once a week when it is wet, but when it is dry they dig deep holes and turn it over beautifully. I think some of the waste drains away down the slope of the garden. The ornamental pear tree at the end of the run has grown rather a lot since the chooks came We change the top layer of chippings about once a month and use the old ones on the garden/allotment as a mulch or compost them. We get a few flies but nothing to bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 So bark chippings are OK then? Lots of mixed views on this. Having searched all over for wood chippings, I am tempred to resort to bark chippings - just for cost and availability Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateP Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 I have used bark chippings for nearly a year now and haven't had any problems. I keep the run covered with the winter shade all of the time so the bark stays mainly dry. I also rake it over every day to remove any poo and change it every 4-6 weeks. I suppose it's all down to personal choice really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
