What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[emmamakeup]

I added bark to the inside of my run two weeks ago. Silly question this might be but when would you recommend replacing it?

[MadAboutChooks]

Hi There, Not really sure of the answer to your question as I am new to chicken keeping myself (2 weeks!) I put bark down in my run, but have since been reading on the forum that it is better to use hard wood chips, B & Q's seems to be popular! something about spores etc. from the bark. Mine is already crumbling and turning to a more dirt consistency, so I have put down some Aubriose to try and help. I dont think that I will be using bark again for this very reason. I am sure that someone will come along soon and help you more than me, and I will be very interested in their answer.

[jenniewren76]

I put mine down two weeks ago and am just waiting to see when I think it needs it.

I have hosed it down and since we have had such nice weather it dried out the next day.

It doesn't smell and its so easy to pick out the poop if you need to. I really love it. (Trouble is my girls keep kicking it everywhere )

 

Just a thought I know a tree surgeon and apparently he was just about to dump a load of wood chipping which I heard was better than bark any how I got this for free..might be worth asking about you never know!

[Redwing]

The last lot of B&Q hard wood chips in my Eglu run lasted seven months but the run was covered and I did add handfuls of Aubiose to dry up any damp patches

[emmamakeup]

Cheers for your replies.

 

Totally worried now re the spores issue. I think I'm going to replace it with wood chippings from B&Q this weekend.

[Plum]

There has been a bit of a discussion about whether the mould in bark is harmful or not. I think it may not be true. It has been said its botulism but then a scientist said otherwise so don't know but there is rotting wood and bark everywhere in your garden, sorry people's gardens so I wouldn't worry. The dangerous spores to avoid are Aspergillus in hay etc.,

 

Hard wood chips don't break down as quick that's all.

 

When you think yuk then change the bark or whatever you have in the run.

 

Some poo pick some rake it in and keep it down for yonks (months). You can keep it clean by hosing, or raking in some disinfectant i.e. stalosan or garden lime occasionally to prevent chicken diseases. I suppose if you only have a thin layer you can afford to change it frequently.

[Guest]

Hi

I have bark mulch from wickes and it is always in their water(I sweep it back into the excavations they make in the soil every day).(I have a galvanised water feeder.

 

I am not sure if I regret putting this in as the run is mostly concrete and soil skirt.

It isnt smelly or anything and I just sweep it to the edges every day for them to fling it around during the day.

 

As I say it is always in the water and they are really healthy birds(have had them approx 4-5 weeks) , I do tip it all out

 

The only advantage of any chips I can see may be in the winter when the ground is frozen so it gives them something easier to stand on for their feet???

 

But at the moment I dont poo pick , just sweep!

 

Perhaps I will before the winter give it a good jet hose down

 

indie

[Plum]

Indie, try putting the drinker up on bricks. It gives them a bit of a challenge to aim that high. I put mine on 3 or 4 pieces of broken slab piled up and it solved the problem they just flick pellets from the grub into it now.

[Guest]

Indie, try putting the drinker up on bricks. It gives them a bit of a challenge to aim that high. I put mine on 3 or 4 pieces of broken slab piled up and it solved the problem they just flick pellets from the grub into it now.

 

 

Oh hadnt thought of that and I have lots of block bricks laying about! Will do that this evening when they are shut in! I am always pulling out bark from the water usually with my fingers(sometimes not sure what elses I am fishing about in)!

 

I have the feeder suspended on an old dog lead from the roof and that is better as it doesnt get anything else in it..simple ideas are always the best thank you

 

Thanks

indie

[Saronne]

Cheers for your replies.

 

Totally worried now re the spores issue. I think I'm going to replace it with wood chippings from B&Q this weekend.

 

I wouldn't worry unduly about the spores issue. I've been using bog-standard chipped bark / from the garden centre since October and my hens are healthy, happy and laying like mad.

 

Incidentally, fresh wood chippings straight from the chipper need to age before use (I was told by a tree surgeon) otherwise the heat they generate could potentially cause a bit of discomfort...(like walking on hot coals?!) Just repeating what a tree surgeon told me.

[Guest]

Indie, try putting the drinker up on bricks. It gives them a bit of a challenge to aim that high. I put mine on 3 or 4 pieces of broken slab piled up and it solved the problem they just flick pellets from the grub into it now.

 

 

Did that last night and today no bark in the water... thanks for the tip... as up until now I have been scooping it out and losing so much water. So it has stayed so much cleaner today

 

cheers indie

[Plum]

Like you said it's the simple ideas that are best.

[Guest]

Like you said it's the simple ideas that are best.

 

 

So true ....I can assure you for me it has to be so simple I dont have an ounce of common sense..lost that years ago thanks indie