Patridge bantam chicken poorly foot?

[Padraigin]

Hi

I,ve recently acquired an Eglu cube with a run extension and 6 chickens. We have decided to keep them in one place in the garden and to that end I have covered the ground (as suggested by Omlet) with wood chip. The problem is that the girls have turned the wood chip over and dug it into the ground (they would be great to turn over our veg patch!) I live in Ireland and with the monsoon like rains that we have been having for the last few months the ground now resembles a slurry pit and must be unhealthy. Replacing the wood chip is only a short term solution, has anyone else encountered this problem and if so is there anything else I can add to the run to dry it out? Do I need more covers or is there an optimum position for the Eglu? Any suggestions welcome.Padraigin

[quickcluck]

Hi there, panic not!!!

 

Lots of us have had the exact same problem.... if you look about a bit you may find some threads.......

 

I think the majority of us use shower curtains as covers, if you have an ikea about I get mind from there, they are completely clear and about 75p each, I have 2 covering mine...

 

Also people are using corrugated clear plastic I think that comes from B&Q

 

Am sure others will be along soon...... hope you find a solution......

[Egg Lou]

Hi there!

 

 

I kept my cube/run on grass .. using auboise in the run and a clear shower curtain on top to keep dry.. this worked really well although the lawn suffered from me walking up and down in the rain..

 

I have now moved them this weekend to a more sheltered gravel area, with paving slabs and pebbles covered with auboise again... I have swappe dthe shower curtain for a unwanted gazebo side curtain complete with clear window!

 

I think as long as you keep the run covered using auboise or hempcore would be great for you... would also suggest going down one side fully and the other partially to help prevent rain being blown in

[Padraigin]

Hi there!

 

 

I kept my cube/run on grass .. using auboise in the run and a clear shower curtain on top to keep dry.. this worked really well although the lawn suffered from me walking up and down in the rain..

 

I have now moved them this weekend to a more sheltered gravel area, with paving slabs and pebbles covered with auboise again... I have swappe dthe shower curtain for a unwanted gazebo side curtain complete with clear window!

 

I think as long as you keep the run covered using auboise or hempcore would be great for you... would also suggest going down one side fully and the other partially to help prevent rain being blown in

 

Terrific suggestions both from you and quickcluck. Next question what is auboise and hempcore. As previously stated I'm in Ireland and those products may be available under another name.

Many thanks

Padraigin

[Christian]

Aubiose and Hemcore are both types of horse bedding made from dried hemp stalks. It is very absorbent and great for the run, droppings tray and nest box. If you do a google search, you might find a supplier in Ireland. Easibed is another horse bedding that some owners use.

[Egg Lou]

 

I think as long as you keep the run covered using auboise or hempcore would be great for you... would also suggest going down one side fully and the other partially to help prevent rain being blown in

 

Terrific suggestions both from you and quickcluck. Next question what is auboise and hempcore. As previously stated I'm in Ireland and those products may be available under another name.

Many thanks

Padraigin

 

Sorry didn't realise! I would suggest going into any horse or country stores supply type shop.. ask what hemp based horse bedding they have..

 

auboise and hempcore are both just equine hemp bedding... you may find exactly the same products over there to be honest as the auboise is French and suppied in most areas here..

 

I beleive "easybed" is another alternative but not hemp based.

 

Good luck!

[Egg Lou]

 

ditto Christian!

[Christian]

*blows smoke away from his keyboard*

[eggscombobulated]

Our cube is a week old - and we have covered it with corrugated sheeting from Wickes and it works really well but note if you do go down this route..........remember to slide the opening of the cube along the top and THEN position your sheeting! Otherwise you will have to redrill holes and retie!! The shade is placed by the cube entrance giving shelter and there is an overhang over the entrance to the run which keeps the immediate area to the door opening dry but does mean you get dripped on as you crouch to put in bits into the run......that door is so small,! garden kneelers are very handy!

[Hen Watch]

Hi Padraigin,

 

In Winte you definately need to keep the run covered. Either a shower curtain (tied on or held down with elastic bungee cords - but do be careful they don't whip your eyes) or even clear corrugated upvc sheeting about £6 each from Wickes or B&Q are both good.

 

I also am a big fan of Auboise horse bedding if you can get it over where you are. A horse supplies shop from the Yellow Pages will supply. Also there are some Irish Omleteers on this forum and if you post in the Chickens section about where to buy, they might see and give some advice.

[mother hen]

I think the majority of us use shower curtains as covers, if you have an ikea about I get mind from there, they are completely clear and about 75p each, I have 2 covering mine...

 

Hi, I'm a newbie and have used a clear shower curtain (currently held in place by plastic clothes pegs) but it's only over part of the run as I was concerned about air flow and light. I was wonder what other people's experiences of using shower curtains were and whether it's ok to have it down to the ground on both sides of the run ?

[Hen Watch]

clear shower curtain (currently held in place by plastic clothes pegs) but it's only over part of the run as I was concerned about air flow and light. I was wonder what other people's experiences of using shower curtains were and whether it's ok to have it down to the ground on both sides of the run ?

 

Hi Mother Hen.

 

If there is a foot either side of the shower curtain then they should get enough ventilation. This was my winter set up last year, with Omlet shade plus shower curtain.

 

 

Or if you know that a particular area of your garden is exposed to driving rain, you could put the shower curtain down to the ground on that side and leave if half open on the other.

Alternatively, Wickes and B&Q sell £6 plastic corrugated sheet and if you buy 2 and hold them down with bungee cords (watch your eyes though) then they act as a little roof on the eglu and don't come right down the sides. I've just invested in some 2 days ago but not taken any photos yet.