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K-F-C

What is the best stuff to punt down in the nesting box?

By K-F-C, in Chickens, Eggs and Hatching

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sheik Frequent Layer

sheik

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We use straw (don't use hay, it's dangerous to the chickens).

It's relatively cheap, good for compost, means we don't need to store any aubiose (we just buy a bale and empty the whole lot into the run), very light to move around and has a certain traditional charm :).

 

Also, we like seeing our broody silkie pick up pieces of straw and put them on her back.

 

We tried shredded paper but it was too much hassle to make (especially as our shredder is rubbish).

 

/\dam

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Falkor Feathery Fanatic

Falkor

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Thanks! I've seen 20kg bags online.

 

Any ideas how long will this would last in a cube? Is it worth ordering a few to save on postage?

 

AGES! if you are just going to use it in the nestbox :D

 

I use it in the poop trays too. Stops the poo drying onto the plastic so make clean out days SO much easier :D

 

You can use it in the run too but in needs to be covered so it doesn't get wet.

 

You can use Straw but be careful as some chooks eat it and it can cause crop impaction.

 

I have a bale of Bliss on the go at the moment which is rape straw and I have seen one of my Orps having a munch so changing back to aubiose tomorrow

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K-F-C Frequent Layer

K-F-C

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you can buy it at Equestrian / horsey places online prices are quite high from what I have seen before.

 

I'm gonna be too busy to get some before my hens arrive on the 30th... I've got to help my step daughter move flats at the weekend and will be on a residential all week with my Year 6 kids!

 

It's gonna have to be online... any idea how many 20kg bags I should buy? I have no idea how thickly it should be put down in the nesting box and how regularly it will need changing?!

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K-F-C Frequent Layer

K-F-C

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Thanks! I've seen 20kg bags online.

 

Any ideas how long will this would last in a cube? Is it worth ordering a few to save on postage?

 

AGES! if you are just going to use it in the nestbox :D

 

I use it in the poop trays too. Stops the poo drying onto the plastic so make clean out days SO much easier :D

 

You can use it in the run too but in needs to be covered so it doesn't get wet.

 

You can use Straw but be careful as some chooks eat it and it can cause crop impaction.

 

I have a bale of Bliss on the go at the moment which is rape straw and I have seen one of my Orps having a munch so changing back to aubiose tomorrow

 

Sorry about my previous post... just seen this! More proof that men can't multi-task! :oops:

 

 

I'll just be using it inside the cube as I have rubber chipping for the run. Putting some in the poop trays seems a good idea! Ta!

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Falkor Feathery Fanatic

Falkor

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Well................if you have space to store more than one bale and it works out cheaper postage to buy more than 1 I would go for it but they are quite large bales.

 

I chuck a couple of inches worth into the nest box...they move it about and scratch about in it as they lay. And I cover the poop trays with a thin layer.

 

Providing your chooks don`t sleep in the nestbox it won`t need changing very often at all.

 

And if you poo pick the poop trays a couple of times a week then they will just need a spinkle top up :D

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K-F-C Frequent Layer

K-F-C

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I have a boy in year 6 at the moment!

 

sorry off topic there totally :lol:

 

 

It's good to know... if I ever need chicken help I can come to you... if your boy ever needs homework help... you know where I am!

 

Well................if you have space to store more than one bale and it works out cheaper postage to buy more than 1 I would go for it but they are quite large bales.

 

I chuck a couple of inches worth into the nest box...they move it about and scratch about in it as they lay. And I cover the poop trays with a thin layer.

 

Providing your chooks don`t sleep in the nestbox it won`t need changing very often at all.

 

And if you poo pick the poop trays a couple of times a week then they will just need a spinkle top up :D

 

I'll just get the one then... that should see me through to the summer holidays which I will send going around the local equine and poultry suppliers!

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sheik Frequent Layer

sheik

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The nest box has a hole in the base......I think it is for ventilation but seem a funny place to put it when it is meant to be filled with bedding

 

Aha, another reason for using straw - it won't fall out of the hole :P

 

/\dam

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majorbloodnock Chatty Chicken

majorbloodnock

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Seems our lasses get rather comprehensive treatment, then. A sheet of newspaper, topped with some chopped hemp, a small sprinkle of Stalosan and then paper after it's been through the shredder.

 

I must admit I'm glad the hole in the floor's there. All our lot seem to like sleeping in the nesting box instead of the roosting bars, and so leave a fair few droppings in there, and so the hole is good drainage for the water and disinfectant I inevitably chuck in there.

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