Plum Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Thanks for all the info on this thread, it saves me searching through all the old ones. I also bought wood chip, the playground one - 4 bags for £12 from B&Q and have got some lawn edging to put round the cube held in place with bricks to stop it getting kicked everywhere. Just wondering what you are going to do to protect run from wind. I'll probably go with the ikea shower curtain. Any other windbreak ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Townie Posted October 8, 2008 Author Share Posted October 8, 2008 Hi Plum, I was just planning to use the log-roll edging - hadn't considered a wind break and thought the wood chip would stay put better than some of the of other bedding..... I could be completely wrong of course! I'll pick up a shower curtain for one side for really horrible days as the winter shade will do one side if I re-position it. Townie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissinuk Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 (edited) I've also got the same problem,if you use woodchippings does that stop the earth being contaminated underneath and do you just rake it out regularly to get rid of the poo. Well, I decided to put slabs down as I was fed up of the mess the birds make when it's wet - the bark soon gets kicked aside and they dig in the wet mud! I eventually found where all the poop "disappears" to.... when it was disturbed the clay under the bark really smelt bad indeed (really bad!!!). I guess that's what you meant by contaminated earth? I can't recommend enough putting down bark on top of slabs - you can easily push aside the bark with a rake and then s"Ooops, word censored!"e off any poo as it builds up every 2 weeks or so. Don't say I didn't warn you!! Edited October 8, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Ah, wondered how you found the poo among all the bark/chippings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlegem Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Thanks for all the advice, it's obvious that you all do something different. I have decided to go with the Woodchip for Poultry Runs and have ordered it from http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk as suggested by Brian Downing in his post. B & Q didn't have it anyway.I have also ordered some Diaton Parasite powder to sprinkle on the ground before putting it down and will get some Garden Lime as suggested by Jomaxsmith. The only thing was the delivery charge was £8.95 so that adds to the expense. So I thought if I am paying all that delivery I may as well get two bags. Will let you all know how I get on with it. Didn't really want to put them on the concrete but from what some of you have said I may need edging will see how it goes. Brian you didn't say if you have used edging or not Once again thanks everyone and no doubt if this doesn't suit I will be trying some other suggestions....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Downing Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Hi, Eglu do edging called link-a-board that you can find in the 'shop' section - it's under 'chicken extras'. We bought it when we first ordered our chickens, Eglu etc. It's not cheap at £39.99p but it's so easy to assemble, looks smart, doesn't need any securing into the ground and also the chickens love perching on it! it also retains all the woodchip with no problem. There's no need for a windbreak as some people have mentioned. I hope this is helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 We have our girls on bark chippings to a depth of 6 inches to 10 inches on a slight slope. We have used bark for 18months with no problem, clearing off the top layer and adding fresh every 6 weeks or so. They dig to their hearts content and there are always loads of earthworms in there when we dig it over, so they must get plenty of treats. The only problem is what to do with the used bark, up to now we have just spread it on both the back and front gardens and amazingly it doesn't smell, but the soil level of the garden has gone up quite a bit. We could take it to our allotment but it is quite heavy so thi s isn't ideal. Presumably wood chip takes even longer to break down than bark what do you do with your chips after use? I may try a bale of easibed over the winter, will it stay put or blow around? Our run is covered with cougated plastic sheeting now as a result of the wet summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlegem Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Hi, Eglu do edging called link-a-board that you can find in the 'shop' section - it's under 'chicken extras'. We bought it when we first ordered our chickens, Eglu etc. It's not cheap at £39.99p but it's so easy to assemble, looks smart, doesn't need any securing into the ground and also the chickens love perching on it! it also retains all the woodchip with no problem. There's no need for a windbreak as some people have mentioned. I hope this is helpful. Thanks I may get the edging if it is easy to assemble, better not get it yet tho have spent a fortune this week on extra's don't tell hubby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlegem Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 We have our girls on bark chippings to a depth of 6 inches to 10 inches on a slight slope. We have used bark for 18months with no problem, clearing off the top layer and adding fresh every 6 weeks or so. They dig to their hearts content and there are always loads of earthworms in there when we dig it over, so they must get plenty of treats. The only problem is what to do with the used bark, up to now we have just spread it on both the back and front gardens and amazingly it doesn't smell, but the soil level of the garden has gone up quite a bit. We could take it to our allotment but it is quite heavy so thi s isn't ideal. Presumably wood chip takes even longer to break down than bark what do you do with your chips after use? I may try a bale of easibed over the winter, will it stay put or blow around? Our run is covered with cougated plastic sheeting now as a result of the wet summer. I was going to put my used woodchip in the recycling bin and let the council dispose of it....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 I use Hemcore (or Easibed now that Hemcore has gone up in price ) and every 6 weeks, rake off the top few inches of soil/poo/hemcore and put it round the trees/shrubs or in the compost bin. I sprinkle garden lime down on the run then a good sprinkling of Stalosan F, then a new layer of bedding. I never poo pick in the run (unless it's within arm's reach of the door!) but never see any poos lying around . They must get dried up and absorbed by the bedding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTree Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 ChickenCam I was wondering the same thing, about what to do with the chippings when I change them. My compost bin isn't all that big. We have green wheelie bins for garden waste, maybe the council will take them in there. I'm very new to this, my Eglu only arrived today, so no chickens yet. Have found this Forum really useful already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 I have just moved house and unable to wait until we build a walk in run I am setting up my Eglu now so have found this thread very useful so far! I am going for a deep layer of woodchip for drainage topped up with Aubiose(I know it will get mixed up!) I am however in love........... B&Q do little metal framed edging strips which are interwoven with plastic strands in a dark purple colour (think trendy rustic) the hurdles are about 3ft wide and 6 inches high and have spikes at each end for sticking in to the ground and they are LOVELY they would be ideal for keeping bedding in place and would even secure the run down too...they are however £10 each (£70 for 3 sides of a 3m long eglu run ) so I got some wood edging instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arwenskye Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 I've just got some aubiose! and already they are kicking it out of the run, will need some lawn edging as well I thought hen keeping wasn't suppose to take much time, its a good job the eggs are fantastic!!! ( garden almost chicken exit proof now, although they are digging up the hedge as well) As for suppliers, I'm really lucky in having a pet and horse place on the trading estate not far from me in Chesterfield. They do all the pellets etc and aubiose and can get easibed if needed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Freecycle is a good place to get rid of unwanted old chicken bedding - they go mad for it, apparently! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Oh Redwing you do make me laugh. OH is worrying about what to do with the woodchip, but Im not. Ill just put it on the garden if it looks/smells ok or take it to council recycling centre. They know me so well with all the garden decimating I've been doing the last few months. By the way the edging was less than £2 for 9 metres at Wilko. Bit plain not at all trendy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Townie Posted October 9, 2008 Author Share Posted October 9, 2008 Plum, Am impressed at your wise shopping, have blown £70 on log roll..... is still in the boot as haven't been brave enough to bring it to Hubby's attention yet!!! Found a garden centre who 'may' get wood chip in for me - will wait for their call.... Townie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 £70 is nothing for a log roll, I spent £700 on 3 chickens. (with a cube thrown in) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I just went out and got some bark chippings and some plastic corrugated sheeting and it looks great! Oh and here is Harry my Labradoodle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 Great photos - I love Harry, what a brilliant expression on his face . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 He's not as sweet as he looks! The girls hate him. He always chases them constantly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlegem Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I ordered Woodchip from Flyte of Fancy and put it in yesterday the girls love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Townie Posted October 12, 2008 Author Share Posted October 12, 2008 All done! With help from Hubby (log roll fixing), I have moved the run to its permanent site and filled it with wood chips. It looks great! The girls spent ages making holes in my stacked up woodchips to find the ground! Well, at least I know if (when) the rain comes back, they're tootsies won't be quite as muddy as they were a week ago. Thanks to you all for the advice. Townie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 Any pics? Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Townie Posted October 12, 2008 Author Share Posted October 12, 2008 Tom, I have taken pics but that's as far as it goes..... Maybe later I'll attempt the tricky bit! Townie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 OK! Thanks Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
