RosemarysBaby Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I am just about to get an eglu and a few chickens but I will be keeping it in the one place hence need bark chippings; problem is I can't find anywhere that tells you which bark chippings are safe for poultry my friend is a chicken owner and says some may cause them problems unfortunately she doesn't use bark chippings. Can anybody help me please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMitch Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Hello and welcome to the forum. Sorry cant help with the bark chippings, I use Aubiose everywhere. Someone will be along so to help no doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosemarysBaby Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 Hello and welcome to the forum.Sorry cant help with the bark chippings, I use Aubiose everywhere. Someone will be along so to help no doubt. I hadn't heard of aubiose before it looks like that would be a good thing for my six guinea pigs. Thanks for posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Hi and welcome! Aubiose is fab stuff. Don't use bark chippings for your chickens use wood chippings instead. Some people say the bark chippings can harbour spores others disagree however wood chippings will last longer anyway as they are firmer and more bulky I use natural wood chippings from B&Q (about £4 a bag) if you have a friendly tree surgeon nearby they may let you have some for free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosemarysBaby Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 Hi and welcome! Aubiose is fab stuff. Don't use bark chippings for your chickens use wood chippings instead. Some people say the bark chippings can harbour spores others disagree however wood chippings will last longer anyway as they are firmer and more bulky I use natural wood chippings from B&Q (about £4 a bag) if you have a friendly tree surgeon nearby they may let you have some for free THANKS FOR THE ADVICE! I will definitely take it into consideration x oh question on one of your hens names is chotu hindi by any chance? or does it mean something other than what i take it to mean lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Hello welcome, Presumably bark gets a bit slimy after a while so that's why they change to wood chip or one of the others hemcore, easibed, auboise etc - horse beddings but the run needs to be covered with something so the rain doesn't get it. Woodchip is fine in rain, it cleans it or you can hose it down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosemarysBaby Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 I am a bit confused as to the difference between woodchips or bark chips lol The run won't be covered much just by the shade! I don't suppose you have a link to proposed woodchips? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 (edited) http://www.pitchcare.com/shop/product/3952/182/play-grade-hard-woodchip-1-6m This is the sort of stuff, proper chunky wood chip, bark is softer and has a more irregular shape. B&Q call it Natural Hardwood Chips but I can't find it on their website I got Chotu off of a Hindi lady so yes, I guess it does mean what you think (hopefully nothing rude!) Edited February 8, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Woodchips are the whole tree, bark chips are just the bark of the tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Hello and welcome. Another Aubiose fan here. You will need to cover the run with a plastic shower curtain or similar if you use it though, as it is super absorbent. The hens love it, and it is great for the nesting box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosemarysBaby Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 http://www.pitchcare.com/shop/product/3952/182/play-grade-hard-woodchip-1-6m This is the sort of stuff, proper chunky wood chip, bark is softer and has a more irregular shape. B&Q call it Natural Hardwood Chips but I can't find it on their website I got Chotu off of a Hindi lady so yes, I guess it does mean what you think (hopefully nothing rude!) yeah CHOTU means basically tiny; choti referring to female and chota referring to male My husband is pakistani but urdu is quite similar to hindi although i speak a bit of both! Thanks for the advice I am checking it out as we speak x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Hello Rosemary'sBaby & welcome to the forum . Yet another Scottish forum member . I use Hemcore or Easibed in my run - both are fantastic (but you do have to cover the run). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosemarysBaby Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 Woodchips are the whole tree, bark chips are just the bark of the tree. So simple when you know the difference! I am now clued up and ready to go lol Thank you x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosemarysBaby Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 Hello and welcome. Another Aubiose fan here. You will need to cover the run with a plastic shower curtain or similar if you use it though, as it is super absorbent. The hens love it, and it is great for the nesting box. I was going to use straw for the nesting box basically my daughter bought me straw instead of hay for my guinea pigs so i hung onto it as a starter if it's too jaggy i may move onto aubiose already considering it for my piggies! I purchased a 330l compost bin this morning aswell getting a head start before hand. Thanks x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosemarysBaby Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 Hello Rosemary'sBaby & welcome to the forum . Yet another Scottish forum member . I use Hemcore or Easibed in my run - both are fantastic (but you do have to cover the run). Aww kewl I was looking through the eglu owners part earlier they seem few and far between in scotland. I am out in Livingston without a car so can't even have a nosey at an aglu in action The cubes look rockin' don't they? I am holding sales at moment raising money to raise chickens is my slogan ( i think it's catchy hehe) and so far £70 off my target for my first eglu not bad for a weeks work us scots love our tablet and fairy cakes huh lol Where in scotland ur ye? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosemarysBaby Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 I am such a newbie I only just noticed it has location under names lol forgive my newb ignorance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 No probs! If you ever do manage to get into Edinburgh, feel free to come and have a look at my eglu . I live on the south side, just inside the City bypass at Hillend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Take care with straw in the nestbox, one of mine kept eating it and had an impacted crop. However, some on the forum use it with no problem. Never simple is it and we all have different ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosemarysBaby Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 Take care with straw in the nestbox, one of mine kept eating it and had an impacted crop. However, some on the forum use it with no problem. Never simple is it and we all have different ways. Well that doesn't sound too good I don't think I will bulk buy that then lol I am still reading up on how to care for hens I am very nervous and alot anxious about getting them but thrilled aswell i am redoing part of the garden for them to open it up and putting in higher edging to hold in the chips it's an odd shape but hopefully i will sort it out *fingers crossed* Probably not be a chicken owner until April waiting for some slightly less freezing weather lol Hoping to learn alot from you more experienced owners Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosemarysBaby Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 No probs! If you ever do manage to get into Edinburgh, feel free to come and have a look at my eglu . I live on the south side, just inside the City bypass at Hillend. I might just take you up on that my husband suggested the bus but i nudged that plan outta action me on a bus nevaaaa lol I would have to leave my animals at home aswell they are terrors (the 4 kids) love yer name by the way I was singing that last week talk to you later beddy byes for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosemarysBaby Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 I found a place that does natural bark chips and arena chips for horses i have sent a query to the company if they are safe for poultry still waiting on reply! The reason i ask if they are safe or not is because they sell COLOURED chips and I don't know if they would be okay but they would be bloody kewl lol match them to my eglu. I have decided to hold out until i have made enough money for a cube i know i would only be thinking about a cube whille spending time with my smaller eglu it wouldn't be fair to it or me lol Plus if i hold out for a luvvly cube i can get at least 5 chickens comfortably living in it i will be letting them free range when i am about though just hoping they dont hop the fence and frighten my neighbour lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Aw good of you to think of the eglus feelings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosemarysBaby Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 Just got a mail back from company and they say that their chips are safe with all animals so if anybody is interested here is the link http://www.rainbowwoodchips.co.uk/productsarena.html I can now match my chips with my cube Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosemarysBaby Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 I am having so much trouble picking a colour it is unbelievable haven't even narrowed any down yet all i know is I do NOT want pink!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidygirlsuk Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Hello and welcome to the forum.Sorry cant help with the bark chippings, I use Aubiose everywhere. Someone will be along so to help no doubt. Hi, I am new to this site. Sorry what is Aubiose ? I have recently bought a wooden chicken house, I was unaware of eglu at the time, bumber ! but could anyone please tell me what would be best to use in the house ? from a none chicken owner, yet ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
