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

[NClaire]

We've just finished our new chicken run for our bullied chicken - and it looks a bit barren. I'd like to put a bale of straw in for her (and her new friends when they come) to climb on - but have NO idea where to get one. What sort of place would you suggest? We're in Bristol, so general and specific ideas welcome! I'll post some pics of the new run later on.

 

Thanks!

[..lay a little egg for me]

Any farms/stables near you? I'm sure a farmer or an equestrian place would be willing to sell you one. However, I'm sure I read that you have to be very careful with straw as if the chooks eat the long pieces it can block their crops.

 

Another possibility, would be to buy a bag of shavings/hemcore which could be used as a temporary refuge and then when you don't need it any more you can use the contents for bedding/in the run!

[welsh sarah]

nClaire

 

i too wanted a bale of straw for my chickens to use as a perch but i cant seem to get one anywhere either

 

i havent given up yet though, i have to say i hadnt heard there was a problem with chickens and straw, i use it in the nest box without any problem so far

 

sarah

[BeckyBoo]

just an idea for you, we put three bales of straw in and created a little hidey hole for them to investigate - kept them amused for ages!

[..lay a little egg for me]

OK...isn't that chopped straw though? The shorter lengths are OK I think.

[welsh sarah]

mrs bertie that sounds like a great idea, you could move them around to change the interest

 

all i need to do is find 1 to start with

 

still looking

sarah

[Egg Lou]

If you were closer I'd say come and help yourself to one from my yard as a fair few bales left over from the horses this winter!

[Baggins]

I got my straw bale from Countrywide stores - check if there's one near you ...

 

http://www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk/pws/Home.ice

[welsh sarah]

there is a country wide store near me but when i asked they didnt stock them, they dont stock much

 

sarah

[jools+6]

try an 'equestrian out let' . yell.com is great for finding places near you . we get all our chook stuff from an 'animal feed supplies' place near us so try typing them in them too . they are really helpful and cos they are experienced in chooks etc they give you great advice and can give you names of places that will supply anything they don't have . tried your local pet shop ? they probably know of somewhere too . good luck