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

[timhenman]

hi guys i am completely new to chickens and iff i have poasted in the wrong forum part i appologise. at the moment i am thinking off purchasing 6 hybrid hens i have an area of bark measuring 5 meters by 3 meters. the bark is kinda wearing away and it looks more like a pile of dust now is the dust oky or will ihave to place down more bark chippings and is the amount off space i have availbale ok

please help

thanks

[Ange1]

Tim, I'm not a eggspert, as you can see I've not even got my girls yet!

 

I would say the space is fine for 6.

 

Bark is not ideal as it goes slimey and harbours all sorts of pests I beleive.

 

Hemcore/Aboise (sp) would be good, if you say that the bark has almost gone to dust anyway, it's the perfect time to put something else down on top. Woodchip is supposed to be better. I think the important thing is that it has the dust extracted from it so it doesn't get into the hen's delicate lungs.

 

You could leave your area bare, if it's soil the hens will enjoy dust bathing in it whilst it's dry, but it will turn into a mud fest when it rains unless it's under cover.

 

So unless you want your very own chicken version of Glastonbury I would recommend one of the above!

 

As I say, I'm no expert, it's just what I've picked up from reading on here!

[Christian]

I agree with Ange1

 

Wood chippings are much better than bark. They dry out quicker and stay fresh for longer, with the mold spores.

 

Aubiose/hemcore will be fine if the run area is covered. It absorbs moisture really well, so without a cover it will be mush pretty quickly.

 

All the best

[Matthew]

I have used bark chippings in an uncovered outside run over soil (it was grass lol) and never suffered with slime and the fungus issue is only an issue if there is insufficient ventilation

[timhenman]

thx loads guys