daisymay Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Hi I do things very much like beach chick (thanks beach chick....was feeling very slummy til you posted...feel like I have a partner in crime til then ). Have been inspired and been to rake their area. Am getting worried they'll have no grass left soon if I rake again! I change the paper in the poo tray twice a week, puffing some diatom in there so everywhere covered. Change the straw in the nest box once a week, sometimes twice a week if it's messy (my chickens will poo anywhere unlike some of the ones mentioned in this post!). I wash the roosting bars in washing up liquid and hot water once a week, and wash down the inside of the eglu (apart from the roof bit) once a week. I literally do nothing to the run or the fenced off area apart from the very odd (twice for approx 5-10 mins a time in 6 weeks). I maybe poo pick once a week but it is only every half an effort. My girls seem fine and happy in their area so I am not too concerned at the moment. I have read lots about stalosan and am tempted by this but they are on mud/sort of grass (have killed it off!) and not sure it will work - seems to get mentioned when on hemcore etc. Also read about garden lime but again not sure will work if chickens in the area. Thanks again beach chick! I have been told by lots of experience d chicken keepers that I was initially trying to be too clean with my girls, that they are very hardy and to relax a bit...I am doing just that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 every day - maybe couple times a day poo pick in run, htey free range from after dinner onwards, coop - freshen up poo pick, top up etc, once a week full tidy out auboise- freshen up each day/week, then every 2-3 week total clean out. dishes usually once a week wash, depends on they have been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 http://www.hemcore.co.uk/bedding.html http://www.aubiose.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 ChrisP, here are the websites for Hemcore and Aubiose: http://www.hemcore.co.uk/bedding.html http://www.aubiose.co.uk/ Hemcore have a list of distributors so you can check if you can get it near you. It costs anything from £7-9 for a bale. Half a bale is more than enough to fill an eglu run plus converter. Garden lime is used to balance the pH of the soil (chicken poop is quite acidic). Make sure it's garden lime not builders. It's fine for the chickens to go in the run with it there. I also sprinkle Stalosan F down - http://www.bio-ag.com/products/misc/stalosan.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisP Posted June 11, 2008 Author Share Posted June 11, 2008 Thanks ANH - I hoped that someone would be able to answer my question, and those websites were very good I have found 2 nearby, one only 25 min away, and one 30! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 My Eglu sits on lawn (move it every 2-3 days) and i brush the droppings out of the run everyday.I also remove the droppings from tray everyday and give it a thorough hot,soapy wash once a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New2this Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 I have 'Monica tendency' , consequently I think I go over board with the cleaning of cube & run with 7 chickens and external run - Daily - poo pick out of the nesting box and rake wood chips Every other day - clear poor tray Twice a week - power wash everything including ramp Every 3 weeks - remove and replace wood chips Have to say, not so sure I'll be so enthusiatic in the winter but I love doing it. There is something therapeutic about it. Am I mad? Christine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
