likeastar--x Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Its that time of year to FINALLY get rid of the nasty smelly bark in the chicken run Weve got rid of it all, except a small amount for them to scratch in. Now the question is, what to replace it with? Theres this which looks quite promising, if expensive. It can just be hosed down when dirty, I presume. But do you think that will ruin the chickens fun scratching, or will insects still be able to live in it? Also just plain old woodchip as one of my chickens is allergic to Hemcore so I presume also Aubiose (Not worth the risk of buying sacks of it just to find out ) and ive found that though the woodchip gets wet it doesnt form mud, like bark down. Or is my view warped . Would anyone with experience like to offer an opinion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I am fairly newbie to all this as only had my ladies since mid November however I started with bark and changed it all within a month as it became a bit wet muddy mess which never seemed to dry out. They now have a covered eglu run (corrugated plastic) and natural woodchip. The woodchip is a massive improvement as it dries out and also doesn`t seem to form a solid muddy mass like the bark. I just poo pick it at the weekend and give it a rake over and a sprinkling of Stalson F. The woodchip underneath is always quite dry. I was looking at the rubber idea too and was unsure. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 You could try Flax bedding. Composts really well and is similar to woodchip. Have a look here http://www.gjwtitmuss.co.uk/HORSE-BEDDING/cid358/HORSE-BEDDING.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 ooo was going to order aubiose from there but need 3 bales and would cost me £20 postage so maybe not lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 ooo was going to order aubiose from there but need 3 bales and would cost me £20 postage so maybe not lol Yes, their delivery charges are steep but it's the cheapest Auboise I've found and "Ooops, word censored!"ody seems to sell it up here. My sister lives in St Albans so next time I visit I'll go and pick some up from the warehouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 ooo was going to order aubiose from there but need 3 bales and would cost me £20 postage so maybe not lol Yes, their delivery charges are steep but it's the cheapest Auboise I've found and "Ooops, word censored!"ody seems to sell it up here. My sister lives in St Albans so next time I visit I'll go and pick some up from the warehouse. DA, if you're ever down on the Fylde Coast we have a petshop here who can get aubiose in and they also sell bedmax. Bedmax was £6.99 last week and am hopefully getting my Aubiose tomorrow at £9ish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Have a look at this: http://www.chickenkeeper.co.uk/shop/64-mud-management.html it is a method using rubber chippings that can be hosed off. I have done this, but it seems to work for this experienced keeper. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 DA, if you're ever down on the Fylde Coast we have a petshop here who can get aubiose in and they also sell bedmax. Bedmax was £6.99 last week and am hopefully getting my Aubiose tomorrow at £9ish. Ah sunny Blackpool Thanks for that abwsco. Could you give me the address. It will give me an excuse to visit the coast down there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Ah sunny Blackpool Thanks for that abwsco. Could you give me the address. It will give me an excuse to visit the coast down there Here you go They do their orders on a Monday morning and things arrive by Wednesday New Pet Express, 12-13 Lidun Pk Ind Est/Boundary Rd, Lytham St. Annes, FY8 5HU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Have a look at this: http://www.chickenkeeper.co.uk/shop/64-mud-management.html it is a method using rubber chippings that can be hosed off. I emailed the woman in the above link to see if this would work on slabs and she reckoned it would. She also said she did not have problems with the chickens trying to eat the chippings as they are quite big and probably taste horrible. The rubber chippings (I keep wanting to write rubber chickens ) are expensive though and my chickens love their hemcore, I am just finding that rain is getting in and turning it to mud so easily at present, even with top covered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbitfluff Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I'd be a bit concerned about the rubber chippings if they came from recycled tyres. I know there are nasties used in tyre production (PAHs I believe), which are carcinogens, but I don't know if these can leach out over time or be enough to cause a problem. They say they're safe and pet friendly so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I'd be a bit concerned about the rubber chippings if they came from recycled tyres. I know there are nasties used in tyre production (PAHs I believe), which are carcinogens, but I don't know if these can leach out over time or be enough to cause a problem. They say they're safe and pet friendly so... I share these concerns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
