Cube mk2 and WIR

[8ccurtis]

Hi

 

We have two chickens, Spiderman + Tinkerbell - honestly, they were my children's choice of names!!. They currently live in an Eglu Cube on the lawn, with regular forays into "Chickenopolis", which is their own little fenced in patch of garden.

 

To keep the run area of the cube clean I use Aubiose, which does the job fantastically. This gets replaced about every 2 weeks, and I'm currently putting the lot in the compost bin. I'm struggling, however, with the volumes as it's going in to the bins quicker than the stuff can compost. Does anybody have any tips? Am I changing the Aubiose too regularly? Is composting a good and acceptable way of disposing of used Aubiose? Any ideas on how long the stuff should take to compost, or thoughts on other methods of disposal?

 

Thanks.

 

Colin.

[Yolky]

Do you poo pick in between your big change out? If you poo pick the the worst of the poo every other day you can then leave the auboise in the run for at least 4 weeks (unless really smelly)

[toastedblue]

we change ours every 4 to 6 weeks and put it in recycling bags for collection

[Joojoo]

we change ours every 4 to 6 weeks and put it in recycling bags for collection

 

We've had a similar situation as my compost bin is full and my neighbour suggested putting it into the green recycling wheelie bin but I don't think the dustbin men will take it. It says just grass cuttings, small bits of greenery etc and no soil so I assumed they wouldn't want to take hemcore with chicken poo.

 

What does everyone else do?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I use Hemcore and only change it every 6 weeks. I don't poo pick in the run (unless it's within arm's reach of the door) and really don't find there's any smell at all. I do keep the run well covered so it never gets wet.

 

My compost bins were getting pretty full so I've started putting the used soil/hemcore straight onto the flowerbeds. I only have very established plants and shrubs and they don't mind it neat. It makes the beds look really nice!

[8ccurtis]

Do you poo pick in between your big change out? If you poo pick the the worst of the poo every other day you can then leave the auboise in the run for at least 4 weeks (unless really smelly)

 

I don't really, as it's a bit difficult to get into the run under the Cube. Any poos also seem to kind of disappear into the Aubiose amazingly quickly, so it's difficult to spot them for cleaning.

 

We never really seem to have a problem with the run being smelly - the main reason I change it is because it seems to get a little damp.

 

Colin.

[debbie26pet]

we change ours every 4 to 6 weeks and put it in recycling bags for collection

 

We've had a similar situation as my compost bin is full and my neighbour suggested putting it into the green recycling wheelie bin but I don't think the dustbin men will take it. It says just grass cuttings, small bits of greenery etc and no soil so I assumed they wouldn't want to take hemcore with chicken poo.

 

What does everyone else do?

 

 

we use a reycycling bin, the council have given me a 2nd bin as well now so they must lke it

ring them and ask them i did

 

i usually clean mine out every 2 weeks as that is when the bins get emptied, i poo pick every day, i change mine reg with the rain mine seem to gets damp feeling and my run is all covered

Edited August 17, 2008 by Guest

[Joojoo]

we change ours every 4 to 6 weeks and put it in recycling bags for collection

 

We've had a similar situation as my compost bin is full and my neighbour suggested putting it into the green recycling wheelie bin but I don't think the dustbin men will take it. It says just grass cuttings, small bits of greenery etc and no soil so I assumed they wouldn't want to take hemcore with chicken poo.

 

What does everyone else do?

 

 

we use a reycycling bin, the council have given me a 2nd bin as well now so they must lke it

ring them and ask them i did

 

Thanks Debbie. That's worth knowing. I'll give them a ring tomorrow

[8ccurtis]

we change ours every 4 to 6 weeks and put it in recycling bags for collection

 

We've had a similar situation as my compost bin is full and my neighbour suggested putting it into the green recycling wheelie bin but I don't think the dustbin men will take it. It says just grass cuttings, small bits of greenery etc and no soil so I assumed they wouldn't want to take hemcore with chicken poo.

 

What does everyone else do?

 

 

we use a reycycling bin, the council have given me a 2nd bin as well now so they must lke it

ring them and ask them i did

 

i usually clean mine out every 2 weeks as that is when the bins get emptied, i poo pick every day, i change mine reg with the rain mine seem to gets damp feeling and my run is all covered

 

That's useful to know - I'll give my council a try as well, and hope they're as obliging as yours

 

Every 2 weeks would be good, as mine also tends to get pretty damp - not from the rain, but from the soil underneath the aubiose.

 

Colin.

[Egg Lou]

I change mine about every 4/5 weeks.. and put the lot straight on to the borders as a mulch.. works really well!

[8ccurtis]

I change mine about every 4/5 weeks.. and put the lot straight on to the borders as a mulch.. works really well!

 

That sounds a great idea!! That would be my ideal, however we've recently got a dalmation puppy that seems to think chicken poo and Aubiose is a fantastic dietary supplement, so I don't think it would last long on the borders if I put it there

 

Colin.

[Egluntyne]

I change mine about every 4/5 weeks.. and put the lot straight on to the borders as a mulch.. works really well!

 

I do this now as my compost bins are brimming. It does work well......and as we have really heavy clay soil I dig it in a bit and it helps break it up nicely.

 

I only change mine every 6 weeks or so too.

[Joojoo]

I'd always thought it would be too strong to put straight onto the borders?

[Cinnamon]

I got rid of my last hen pen clear out lot on Freecycle.

People were desperate for it!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I think it's only young plants that can't cope with it?

[Joojoo]

I got rid of my last hen pen clear out lot on Freecycle.

People were desperate for it!

 

Don't get me started on Freecycle. I have tried repeatedly to go down this route. I can't log on to it at all. I've spoken to 3 other people locally who have all tried it and we've all had exactly the same problem. I've even emailed the local co-ordinator and no reply. So I've given up on that one

[8ccurtis]

I change mine about every 4/5 weeks.. and put the lot straight on to the borders as a mulch.. works really well!

 

I do this now as my compost bins are brimming. It does work well......and as we have really heavy clay soil I dig it in a bit and it helps break it up nicely.

 

I only change mine every 6 weeks or so too.

 

From what I'm hearing, changing Aubiose every 2 weeks sounds a little excessive. 6 weeks sounds a little more usual. I only really change mine because it looks damp, probably because I have it straight on soil / lawn. Am I changing it needlessly because it's upsetting my sensibilities, and maybe the chickens wouldn't bother? Or is it that the people who are changing every 6 weeks have their Aubiose on a different surface that's a little dryer?

 

Colin.

[8ccurtis]

Or is it that the people who are changing every 6 weeks have their Aubiose on a different surface that's a little dryer?

 

Sorry, that should read "a little drier" - obviously I don't keep my chickens on a Zanussi!

 

Colin

[MadMitch]

I put mine under the hedges as well but recently I have had to move over to easibed as I can't get aubiose any more, this doesn't break down as well so I bought one of those bin type garden incinerators and burn it in that.

[Joojoo]

Or is it that the people who are changing every 6 weeks have their Aubiose on a different surface that's a little dryer?

 

Sorry, that should read "a little drier" - obviously I don't keep my chickens on a Zanussi!

 

Colin

 

 

My hemcore is straight onto soil and so long as it is covered with a shower curtain or something similar when it pours down it should keep quite dry. I change mine about every 4 weeks or so.

[Egluntyne]

I change mine about every 4/5 weeks.. and put the lot straight on to the borders as a mulch.. works really well!

 

I do this now as my compost bins are brimming. It does work well......and as we have really heavy clay soil I dig it in a bit and it helps break it up nicely.

 

I only change mine every 6 weeks or so too.

 

From what I'm hearing, changing Aubiose every 2 weeks sounds a little excessive. 6 weeks sounds a little more usual. I only really change mine because it looks damp, probably because I have it straight on soil / lawn. Am I changing it needlessly because it's upsetting my sensibilities, and maybe the chickens wouldn't bother? Or is it that the people who are changing every 6 weeks have their Aubiose on a different surface that's a little dryer?

 

Mine are all on paving slabs and I I have covers over all the runs too.

[WitchHazel]

I use Aubiose in my walk in run. Once a week, I rake it all up into the middle, picking out any bits of dead vegetable or excessiuvely large poo lumps. I put stalosan down, and then rake the Aubiose back down. Any Aubiose that gets picked out gets put in the compost.

 

I remove it completely and dispose of it every 6-8 weeks (8 weeks at the moment becaus ethe Gurls are outside free ranging most of the time). On these occasions I take it down my local tip.

 

Hope that helps

[Egg Lou]

I change mine about every 4/5 weeks.. and put the lot straight on to the borders as a mulch.. works really well!

 

I do this now as my compost bins are brimming. It does work well......and as we have really heavy clay soil I dig it in a bit and it helps break it up nicely.

 

I only change mine every 6 weeks or so too.

 

From what I'm hearing, changing Aubiose every 2 weeks sounds a little excessive. 6 weeks sounds a little more usual. I only really change mine because it looks damp, probably because I have it straight on soil / lawn. Am I changing it needlessly because it's upsetting my sensibilities, and maybe the chickens wouldn't bother? Or is it that the people who are changing every 6 weeks have their Aubiose on a different surface that's a little dryer?

 

Mine are all on paving slabs and I I have covers over all the runs too.

 

 

Mine is straight on grass ( well earth now!) but I do have the run covered pretty much all the time with this "sunny one minute.. pouring next " weather.. I only take clear cover off when I'm around to chuck back on again!

 

Also poo pick most days so it lasts as could not justify or afford to change to often

 

I mainly use it for the borders in front garden as no dog to dig.. also found its really good for around bamboo plants.. they love it as free draining..

[Sandychick]

From what I'm hearing, changing Aubiose every 2 weeks sounds a little excessive. 6 weeks sounds a little more usual. I only really change mine because it looks damp, probably because I have it straight on soil / lawn.

 

I had this problem. The Auboise still gets damp and clumpy even under a cover because of the badly draining clay soil here. I have been raking all the Auboise into a heap and then sieving it with a garden sieve. It seperates out all the poo that you can't easily find and seperates the clumps of Auboise letting it dry out. It looks great when it's raked back out again. I do this once a week and change it completely about once a month.

[Hen Watch]

My Auboise is straight on the grass (or no grass now actually).

 

Changed every 6 weeks. No poo picking inbetween at all.

 

Run definately needs a cover to keep it dry or else it goes yukky.

 

With the old auboise, I divide it between my 3 brimming compost bins, plus chuck some under the hedge, plus chuck some on my mud patch with no flowers and just dig it in.