Larkie Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Is it true that if you leave chickens on the same patch of land permanantly, they will get diseased? My 2 girls are in a run of 14.5 feet by 12 feet and have been for about 8 months. Do I really need to move them to destroy another part of my garden? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 No As far as I am aware, if they are on a soil based run, the problem is with worms and parasites soiling the ground. What you need to do is treat the ground with garden lime, which will kill the parasites etc. Someone else will be along shortly to give you more info - I have a run on slabs so not a problem for me thankfully - I just use Stanoslan F when I clean out properly and remove all aubiose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Hi ya, I was wondering whether or not to treat our area with garden lime, but OH is worried that is contains chemicals and will harm the chooks when they are pecking around? Sorry I've gate crashed this thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesH Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Garden lime is fine, doesn't contain anything nasty it is usually pretty much just crushed limestone. Builders lime on the otherhand is not so nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 I have my girls on a permanent soil run. Every six weeks or so I rake off the top few inches for the compost or flowerbeds. I then dig the run over a bit, sprinkle down Stalosan F (I bought mine from Alphahatch), then put down garden lime (bought from garden centre). I use Hemcore on top. I've never had any problem with smell or, touch wood, diseases in my girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 If you have a regular worming regime, the hens should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Most livestock keepers will move runs occasionally to stop pests, parasites and diseases building up in the soil. Alternative is to use a chemical that you're happy does the same thing. I clean the hemcore from our run weekly, and dig over my run every couple of months and lime it etc, but intend to move it after 12 months or so in the same site and re-turf the original spot; I think that's more than adequate to keep the ground "sweet". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larkie Posted June 26, 2008 Author Share Posted June 26, 2008 Thanks everyone, all your replies are really helpful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
