Patridge bantam chicken poorly foot?

[Busybird]

My Eglu run sits on mud (where once there was lawn) and is only moved for weekly cleaning (poo removal). I have read on this forum that I should remove the top layer of run bedding and sprinkle Stalosan F and garden lime from time to time. As I use no bedding I have never done this and am concerned this may eventually cause problems with chicken health.

 

Would it be enough if I were to give the mud a thorough rake over so that the compacted surface were broken up and then put down some garden lime? My concern with this is, as I use no bedding, would the 'limed' mud cause any harm to the chickens?

 

Also, where could I get garden lime and do I also need Stalosan F (whatever that may be)?

 

Hope someone can advise

 

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[Ain't Nobody Here]

Garden lime wouldn't harm your chickens (quote Egluntine "It won't harm the hens as it is just made from pulverised limestone or chalk so is just calcium.") and Stalosan F is safe for livestock too so you should be fine.

 

This is where I got my Stalosan F:

 

http://www.alphahatch.com/stalosan-f-8kg-tub-ah671120-157-p.asp

 

You'll get garden lime (make sure it's garden, not builders) from any garden centre (it's very cheap!).

 

If you did use some form of bedding it might help keep your run from being muddy and needing digging over so often?

[alih]

Busybird you read my mind - I was wondering if you need both? if i only get one to put down, which would be better?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

To be honest, they both do totally different things and garden lime is so cheap there's no harm putting both down. I suppose I would choose Stalosan F if I had to choose between them but if your run is static, it's probably a good idea to keep the soil in good condition.

 

This is a description of what Stalosan does:

 

Unique broad spectrum powdered disinfectant. Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal. Destroys coccidialoo cysts, parasites, worm and fly eggs and larvae. Removes ammonia and hydrogen sulphide and dries out moisture. Non-toxic and suitable for use with all livestock. Apply to litter, bedding areas and around feeders / drinkers. Very effective for prevention of coccidiosis.

 

Garden lime balances the pH of the soil (chicken poo is acidic).

[Egluntyne]

 

Garden lime balances the pH of the soil (chicken poo is acidic).

 

It also make any whiffyness vanish.

[alih]

thank you - both it is then

[Busybird]

Thanks for the info. Decided to order some Stalosan F from recommended link. Then stopped. At a cost of £14.25 plus an £8 delivery cost it is just too much. Has anyone managed to find a local / national supplier anywhere else?

 

I am assuming that i will be able to pick up garden lime at B&Q or Homebase but have yet to try...

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sorry about that . I don't think I can have bought it from them - I wouldn't have paid £8 postage either .

 

I'll see if I can track down where I did get it from. I'm sure it wasn't that much .

 

Edit: yes, you can pick up garden lime at garden centres/BBQ. I promise it's only about a fiver .