Is an Eglu fox proof or just 'resistant'?

[tom123]

As loads of people are asking what sort of bedding to use I thought we could set up a poll for them to check out and see what everyone uses and why.

 

What do you think?

 

Please fill it in

Tom

[Barkisland]

I have recently started to use Aubiose as I have now found a local supplier. I like it because it's so absorbent and easy to keep clean. I use it in the nestbox, under the roosting bars, and also on the floor of the run. I know it's expensive, but at the moment I can afford it and think it's worthwhile. Previously I used shredded paper and Nedzbed Pro, but Aubiose is better.

[Olly]

I use aubiose, and I don't think it is expensive. I bought the current bale last year, probably about October and there's still half left.

 

I don't spread it very deeply in the run, but I chuck some down when it's very muddy (when isn't it, lately!) I use it in the nest box and a thin layer in the trays to stop the poo sticking. I find it lasts ages.

[Plum]

Hemcore cos I got it.

[Svejk]

I use Aubiose in the eggbox and under the bars in the tray. Must admit I hadn't thought of using it in the run - we keep the chooks on wood chips but let them free range during the day when at home.

[ruth1]

Hemcore as It's all I can get and I line the poo trays with newspaper

[Electricbarbarella]

I line everything with newspaper so to stop me having tos"Ooops, word censored!"e or wash anything (I am a bit lazy), I use shredded paper in the nest box as loads of people seem to give it to me and I sprinkle a little bit of aubiose on top to combat any smells.

[moomin]

I use Auboise, it's lovely stuff smells nice soaks up poo, chickens enjoy scratching about in it and it's compostable. 1 bale does 2 clean outs of my 7 X 10 foot run so it goes a long way

[TAJ]

All this brand name business! - I use a flax based horse bedding - very similar to auboise, but different manufacturers - either JoPack or Equisorb are the names of the ones I can get locally.

 

Tracy

[Griffin]

Started off using Woodypet in the main part of the house with straw on top in the nest box. Couldn't find a supplier around here so switched to Aquamax which is very similar. The price of that seems to be going up and up so now I'm trying Easibed. I like Easibed but the chooks prefer Aquamax because they like scratching around in it. I've found Easibed to be drier.

[mostin]

I use Nedz Bedz, because it is what my equestrian shop stocks. It is cleaned and sterilised chopped straw. It is also treated with tea tree oil which helps keep lice and parasites away.

[moomin]

All this brand name business! - I use a flax based horse bedding - very similar to auboise, but different manufacturers - either JoPack or Equisorb are the names of the ones I can get locally.

 

I didn't know it was a brand name! I thought it was just the name of the bedding! Now I know it goes under different names I will look out for them, may be a bit cheaper I don't care what it's called as long as it does the job

[Angels4]

I use Guardian Equine Bedding. Wood pellets that when wet break down and turn to sawdust (only dust free) I like this product because it's super absorbant and all I have to do is scoop out the soiled bedding (much like kitty litter) and top off with more.

I pay $7.00US per 50lb bag. Super inexpensive and super absorbant.

[Phoebe]

I use wood shavings in the nestbox at the moment because I am using it up before I start the auboise (finally tracked down a local supply). Wood sahvings are a bit dusty, which is why I am changing. I did use shredded paper to start with but got fed up with bits of it blowing around the garden.

 

Newspaper in the poo trays and about to put down paving slabs and auboise in the run as the mud is getting me and the hens down

[Millihelen]

I use shredded paper in the nesting box, with a single sheet of newspaper underneath to cut down the amount getting through the hole in the bottom. Its OK now as the cube is under our willow tree for the winter - but I might look for something else for the summer that doesn't look so messy scattered around the garden

I line the poo trays with newspaper (double layer) - which works fine, except for one really cold weekend when it had frozen to the trays! (and I had to s"Ooops, word censored!"e it off)

[LJ's Chooks]

I used to use aubiose and hemcore, but i think they are allergic to it, so shredded paper for me.... rubbish i'd just bought a bale of aubiose too when i figured it out...

[Aggienator]

I used to use aubiose and hemcore, but i think they are allergic to it, so shredded paper for me.... rubbish i'd just bought a bale of aubiose too when i figured it out...

 

How did you work it out? What symptoms did they show?

[Rhapsody]

Aquamax. It's just superb in every way.

[atsw]

I line the Eglu poo tray with a full sheet from The Daily Telegraph (perfect fit!), with a sheet from the sports section under the bars of the entrance way. I use straw in the nest box. Sometimes the straw gets chucked about if the girls get bored (especially after having been cooped up in the run for a few days), but otherwise the system works well for me.

 

Andrew

[Blackrocksrock]

Line all with newspaper and shredded on top of paper in the nest box - recyles the paper and is cheaper.

[sandyhas3chucks]

All this brand name business! - I use a flax based horse bedding - very similar to auboise, but different manufacturers - either JoPack or Equisorb are the names of the ones I can get locally.

 

Tracy

I use flax bedding too but mine is nothing like the auboise I have seen which looks similar to easi bed.?

Mine is much much finer and lovely & soft. It simply sucks up the moisure, we had poorly chook with watery poohs and plenty of soft eggs in there. It is bril & someone onm here recomended for chooks that snuggle not roost

Line pooh trays with paper & top up nests with little bit shredded paper so they can "decorate" themselves & their nests

[TheCoop]

I voted for newspaper and straw as my two options. However, I always throw in a generous helping of Aubiose to soak up 'dampness'!

[moomin]

This may be a silly question, but do chickens eat straw which can lead to blocked crops? I was thinking of putting straw in the nest box when I get my chicks as it may still be cold and they can snuggle up.

 

But I am sure I've read on here that they can eat it so am a bit hesitant to use it

[ems]

I use megazorb and straw, as I use it for my rabbits too

[Cyber Chook]

In the nesting box, a layer of newspaper to stop stuff falling through, and a deep layer of Hemcore. Every day I pick out the poo, so that the eggs stay nice and clean, and i don't have to wash them.

To save money, after a couple of weeks I scoop out the remaining Hemcore, and drop it into the run, as it isn't dirty or anything and it seems wasteful to put it straight on the compost heap.

 

Aubiose or Hemcore in the walk-in run, because it's so absorbent and smells good, and rots down fast in the compost heap.

Also sometimes Easibed, the fairly finely shredded woodchip bedding for horses, for much the same reasons.

 

I read somewhere here that it's best to avoid straw, because critters like red mites hide in the hollows, and the same with hay.

 

I tried shredded paper in the nesting box, but I find it irritating the way it sticks to the eggs, or blows around the garden. Shame, as it's free and environmental, and others seem to be fine with it. Maybe I'm just easily crankified

 

Caroline