house-elf Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Hi, Can anyone advise me about the horse bedding Auboise ? It was recommended to me instead of using wood chips in the run (my hens won't be on grass as my lawn is about the size of a ten pence piece ! ), but if it rains won't the bedding be ruined ? I have read how it works and isn't it supposed to stay dry and soft when wet ? I would also like some adive on housing - I am looking at getting a wooden house, but some that I have seen don't have a alsphat roof - surely they need it to keep them dry ? or is weather proof coating enough ? Many thanks from a person who can't wait to get her chooks ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 (edited) Regarding the aubiose getting wet, you would need to cover your run - lots of us use IKEA clear shower curtain (about 85p) and some bungee ropes to hold them in place. Edited June 6, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newmarcell Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Hi House-elf, We have a Cube, and prior to this an Eglu, so I'm afraid I can't offer advice on wooden hen houses. We keep wood chip on the floor of our run, and we have put 'log-lap' / deckboard pieces around the edge to keep the wood chip in the chickens area and not all over the garden. Wood chip works very well for us, and the chickens love spending time scratching through it! I have heard that Auboise works very well. I think people tend to have it in their Walk in Runs mainly, but I'm sure someone that uses Auboise will be along shortly to offer their advice. Newmarcell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Aubiose is intended as a horse bedding so all the wording in the blurb is aimed at use in stables where it doesnt rain - it isnt intended for use outside so although it makes excellent chicken bedding you do need to cover the run with a proper roof, plastic panels, tarpaulin (Tarpaflex do good clear ones) or shower curtains Any reference to wet in the blurb will apply to use indoors and horses wee which (hopefully) isnt as persistant as the rain I have four runs at the moment - I use woodchips in my big run mixed with chunky woodshavings, another run has woodchip mixed with Aubiose, another plain woodchip and the last one plain Aubiose, you will discover what is best for you and your hens. Aubiose is also great in the actual coop for the floor and nesting boxes Re wooden houses - the main problem here is red mite which hide in the housing and come out at night to feed on the chickens, they like nooks and crannys to hide in, the more the wooden house has the harder it will be to eliminate them if you do get them.Any surface that has two layers will be a nightmare so roofing felt and overlapping shiplap will mean the mites can always hide. Plywood or T&G are good options, wooden roofs are fine, they will be thick or well treated enough to cope with the rain, corrugated bitumen roofing such as Onduline is excellent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-F-C Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 I've bought rubber chippings for my run... it's something else to consider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickeroo Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Hi, I currently use Aubiose in my cube run. It looks lovely when first put in and becomes dirty looking quite quickly as the girls are traipsing in and out during free ranging.We do have a tarpaulin that covers the run when really wet....it does get wet... it is changed completely every three months or so and I do a 25% change in between. The problem is getting rid if it when it is all cleaned out.....you can only compost so much....so it's off to the dump for the rest.....it does have an odour after a couple months but more like an earthy smell not iky animal smell. However we may consider the rubber chips at some future point so that we don't have to keep changing as the Auboise does compact to become and have to be removed in large lumps.....but we use 2 bags a year.....less than £20..so is inexpensive...apparently it won't harbour redmite where as wood chip can....so I was informed.... Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 As far as I know redmite don't live outside.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
