4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[lisaroo2]

The girls area (approx 10ftx12ft square) is now almost completely devoid of grass. We've got aubiose in the run but haven't as yet but anything in the rest of their area. What do we do next?

[Egg Lou]

Sorry got no idea Lida.. I have been looking at either wood chip or fine gravel..but would like to know other ideas myself so will look forward to the answers

[lisaroo2]

Never thought of fine gravel, would it have to be a specific type? Not sure I like the idea of bark stuff, although hubbie-to-be would be happier with a more 'natural' look.

[Egg Lou]

Not sure on how fine to be honest.. thought about the "pea" gravel, although would want to know they won't try to eat it and choke!

[BeckyBoo]

We've just got aubiose down (or hemcore or flax depending what we can get) and it's fine altho it is a BIG job when I clean it all out (only every couple of months or so) - our friends don't put anything down which is fine in the summer but a bit boggy in the winter.

As for toys / ornaments, we have a little log pile for them to climb on, three hay bales (straw actually) and a "mezzanine loft apartment"!

 

 

Mrs Bertie

[lisaroo2]

Is your run covered Mrs Bertie? The square that the girls have got is uncovered except for the run attached to the eglu which has shade/plastic over it. Would it be ok for us to put aubiose down on the uncovered bit? It might be abit expensive though?!

[superjules]

If it's covered then sand is an excellent flooring. It doesn't matter if it gets a bit damp from the sides, as long as it's sheltered from above. I use sand because I ran out of composting space for aubiose for my 3.5x2.5m run. Once a week, I sweep it all to one side, run it through a 1/4 inch garden sieve to remove a bucketful of poo and it's all nice and clean again. The girls love that they live in a giant dustbath.

 

Sorry - just noticed that your run isn't covered!! I'm no help at all am I?!

[Abbey Road Girl]

If you covered your run, Lisa, (which I believe could be done inexpensively) it would make the auboise or similar last much longer but also protect your hens from Mr Fox who can leap over 8' walls from what I hear in the forum.

 

If I'm correct, you have an Eglu and run where they would be secure and a larger run which is uncovered.

 

Then again, it's late and I have a wee dram taken.

[Hen Watch]

The girls area (approx 10ftx12ft square) is now almost completely devoid of grass. We've got aubiose in the run but haven't as yet but anything in the rest of their area. What do we do next?

 

My lot free range on the lawn quite a bit, so I don't worry that their run has no grass. I put Aubiose on the run floor, with a cover over the run to keep it dryish.

 

Not sure what to suggest as the best ground cover for the rest of their area if it isn't covered.

 

I'm sure I've seen past posts on here about forum members who grow grass in trays (or put turf) into the run for the chooks to eat. Hope I didn't imagine that

[Rhapsody]

I get free woodchips from our local tree surgeon and spread that where my lawn used to be I top it up as it rots down. I only use expensive horse bedding in the Eglu runs. I also buy a couple of rolls of lawn turf a month for them to eat and destroy- goes on the muckheap once it's dead.