How Quickly Does Albendazole Work?

[henpen]

Hello everyone,

 

After 3 years of researching, pondering and winning my hubby over, I've finally ordered a purple cube with 3m run which is due to arrive on 5 April!!

 

The cube is going to be in a fixed position and originally I was going to pave the area with aubiose/hemcore on top. There were a couple of reasons for this: first, I thought it would be easier to keep clean (esp. in the winter); second, we have had rats in the garden (and in our loft a few years ago!!?!!!?!!) so I don't want to encourage any more.

 

However my OH thinks it would be better to put aubiose/hemcore on bare earth so the hens can scratch around. They'll be in the run most of the day. To stop any rats tunnelling through, he's suggested burying bricks under the soil around the edge of the run.

 

So, which option do you think would be best?

 

(I'm planning to take the food/water in each night and get a cover for the run to keep the bedding dry.)

[MaggieMcHen]

I have followed the - paving stones round the edge and in the feeding bays, soil/Aubiose chicken heaven in the middle - option. The WIR is roofed and so only the edges get wet. I also have two doors, one on each side of the run with a slab path between for wheelbarrowing which also gives me a sweepable area to scatter corn and treats of an evening.

[Egluntyne]

I have gone for your first option.

 

The hens scratch away to their hearts content, and I am happy that the run is easy to clean and that nothing can tunnel in from below.

[Hen Watch]

I do both options.

 

In winter they live on my patio slabs (so are near the back door to nip out in the cold).

 

 

In Spring (in fact I moved them today) they live on grass and once that gets eaten in their run, I put Auboise down on top of the earth. Then when they go back to live in their winter spot just reseed the strip left behind.

 

[tidygirlsuk]

I do both options.

 

In winter they live on my patio slabs (so are near the back door to nip out in the cold).

 

 

In Spring (in fact I moved them today) they live on grass and once that gets eaten in their run, I put Auboise down on top of the earth. Then when they go back to live in their winter spot just reseed the strip left behind.

 

 

 

i see in your first picture you have clear plastic, mine has the same, but has no chickens in it yet, maybe tomorrow. does run get really hot in the summer, What way does your garden face ? sorry for all the questions.

[Hen Watch]

Not sure which way my garden faces???? It's not south that's for sure.

 

The plastic shower curtain was last year (2nd pic) and I just whipped it off in good weather and they just had the Omlet green shades.

 

But this winter I've upgraded to the clear corrugated PVC (1st pic) which I have found much better. But I've not used it in summer yet. Now it is warming up I may think about removing it and going back to just the green omlet shades. But not quite when as April can bring downpours. I mostly have Auboise on the run floor and so ideally I need a run cover to keep it dry.

 

The run can get hot mid Summer. In their summer spot they are near a tree and they get afternoon shade. I don't like them to get overheated so the Omlet shades are good for that. But I've had those 2 years now and they have faded and got ripped, so not pretty, but still do the job.

[tidygirlsuk]

Thank you. i think i might just take it of in the summer too, but put it back on if we get a real wet spell.