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

[Laura&Sean]

Does everyone use either wood chippings or hemcore?

 

Is it possible to use gravel or stone if the hens free-range everyday?

 

Thanks and apologies if it's a really silly question, it's just that with this torrential rain my poor chickens are covered in mud and the run is like a swamp, surely this cannot be healthy?

 

I was wondering if I could use something like big slate chips and hose down the poo every few days.?

[Sandychick]

What sort of run do you have......is it possible to put a cover on it to keep the hemcore dry? Otherwise maybe have half gravel and half hemcore so they can still do some scratching about but have a less muddy bit too!

 

Mine have a cover on the run so that bit is dry. But they love to splodge about in the muddy stuff outside the run. I can only conclude that they don't mind it..........they look as happy as pigs in muck really

[mrsm_jones]

I know another member here has stone chippings in her run. As far as I can remember, she said it was really easy to clean, and she just power hosed it down every so often (I don't know how often). Have a look at her run in the Run Inspiration page.( Her run looks really good ) Maybe PM her to ask as she is a very friendly lady and I'm sure won't mind you asking.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I do use hemcore but have to keep it dry. I have 2 sheets of corrugated plastic which work really well.

[Ange1]

It's me!

 

I have large gravel in my run, but I'm afriad that I've been converted over to hemcore (with citronella) now!

 

I'll explain, I had the gravel on a blocked paved patio, about 2-3 inches deep, now this kept them dry (the chickens) and it was easy to clean hose down every weekend but as I had bricks around the edge to keep the gravel in place the water had no where to drain!

 

Result was about 4 to 5 weeks later a muddy/pooy mess!

 

I think gravel would work ontop of earth, laid fairly thick but not on top of patio or block paving, hope this helps!

[mrsm_jones]

Hi, I actually meant another Ange (funnily enough! ). I'm sure you're really lovely too, but the person I was speaking about lives near me in Aberdeenshire. Also an "Ange".

[mrsm_jones]

Aha! It's just come to me! It's Rich & Ang. They are on the forum, and have a poultry protection pen from Flyte So Fancy. Looks great.

[Hen Watch]

I use Auboise (same as Hemcore) in run and shower curtain over run is a must when it rains.

 

My garden has a slight slope and gets boggy by the feeders. So I have 2 rubber mats to raise the ground a bit and Auboise on top. Pain in the neck to clean them as I have to soak them in a whole dustbin of water to get the poo off but it helps my situation.