Chickaboo Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 I hear lots of people say that you shouldn't use bark chippings in the run, as the harbour spores etc. I've always used bark chippings without any problem (I think ). What sort of problem is it likely to cause the hens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 Botulism. The white spores on the underside of bark are botulism which can paralyse, I wasn't able to get hold of wood chip so I currently have bark in my run but will switch when I can, and definitely before winter. Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmommasally Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 My local B&Q (Chelmsford) were selling 4 bags of woodchip for £12 at the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexgirl73 Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 well I just bought woodchip today from B&Q (£3.38 for one bag as I only have a smallish run) and the girls LOVE it They had a fine old time moving about to suit themselves. Obviously my decorating skills don't match theirs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickaboo Posted August 19, 2008 Author Share Posted August 19, 2008 Ok wood chips it is then! I had no idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poplars Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 mine are in a large area of just bark chips... odes this mean my chooks will be paralysed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alk630 Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 Botulism. The white spores on the underside of bark are botulism which can paralyse, Jo Fortunately, this statement is completely untrue. Botulism is actually an illness produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. The white spots on mulched bark are harmless fungi.[/i] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 We have used bark chip and wood chip of differing sizes all with no ill effect. We have also used Auboise. I dont think my hens mind too much what it is if it shoveled out and replaced every so often. I think making sure the ground is refreshed is the key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 Botulism. The white spores on the underside of bark are botulism which can paralyse, Jo Fortunately, this statement is completely untrue. Botulism is actually an illness produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. The white spots on mulched bark are harmless fungi.[/i] that's a bit of luck! We've just spent a small fortune on bark. I figured that the chicken is a woodland bird so bark would be more natural than woodchips (unless the woodland creatures have access to a wood chipper that is, in which case I take it all back!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Botulism. The white spores on the underside of bark are botulism which can paralyse, Jo Fortunately, this statement is completely untrue. Botulism is actually an illness produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. The white spots on mulched bark are harmless fungi.[/i] Correct... If the bark is used in an enclosed space with poor ventilation then there is a slight possibility that there could be a build up of spores in the air to cause problems.. however as most of the runs are open to the wind etc this is not an issue at all..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 One of the main objections to bark is that it can become very smelly and slimy as it isn't really absorbent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 One of the main objections to bark is that it can become very smelly and slimy as it isn't really absorbent. This is the bit I don't get... I've used bark on a sectioned off part of the garden and have not had any issue with either slime, smell or absorption... I'm a bit loathe to use a floor material that necessitates covering the run. I'm a believer that the chickens are outside creatures, have some shelter... but spend most of the time out in the rain and wind by choice, so I am not going to take that choice away from them for my convenience... but each to his or her own... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 I use wood chippings on a flagged run with straw in the nest boxes (which they sleep in!!) I have just bought some Royalspan flax bedding as it is supposed to compost readily. I have just dug a veggie patch for next year and hated throwing away all those poo enriched chippings so will see how this works out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 Fortunately, this statement is completely untrue. Botulism is actually an illness produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. The white spots on mulched bark are harmless fungi.[/i] Interesting, I shall have to tell the expert at the local poultry centre who makes this statement at every talk he gives and usually quotes Practical Poultry to back up his arguments that some chap off the internet says he's talking rubbish. Apologies if I've given inaccurate information but when someone who I would consider an expert tells me something I tend to believe it. Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 It wood be good to get a definite answer on this question. Ive been using wood chip because of what I've read on omlet, but bark seems much easier to get hold of and cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alk630 Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 Fortunately, this statement is completely untrue. Botulism is actually an illness produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. The white spots on mulched bark are harmless fungi.[/i] Interesting, I shall have to tell the expert at the local poultry centre who makes this statement at every talk he gives and usually quotes Practical Poultry to back up his arguments that some chap off the internet says he's talking rubbish. Apologies if I've given inaccurate information but when someone who I would consider an expert tells me something I tend to believe it. Jo Not wanting to sound rude Jo, but I'm trained in Microbiology, with a military background in bioweapons. Your local 'expert' is completely wrong on this occasion and he is indeed talking rubbish. You could even try looking botulism up on the internet yourself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 Fortunately, this statement is completely untrue. Botulism is actually an illness produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. The white spots on mulched bark are harmless fungi.[/i] Interesting, I shall have to tell the expert at the local poultry centre who makes this statement at every talk he gives and usually quotes Practical Poultry to back up his arguments that some chap off the internet says he's talking rubbish. Apologies if I've given inaccurate information but when someone who I would consider an expert tells me something I tend to believe it. Jo Not wanting to sound rude Jo, but I'm trained in Microbiology, with a military background in bioweapons. Your local 'expert' is completely wrong on this occasion and he is indeed talking rubbish. You could even try looking botulism up on the internet yourself? I stand corrected - didn't know your background. Perhaps we finally do have the answer on the bark v. woodchips debate and I can stop worrying about finding somewhere local that sells the elusive woodchip! Jo x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alk630 Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 No problem Jo, as Egluntine said earlier, one of the main objections to bark is that it can become very smelly and slimy as it isn't really absorbent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
