Solitary chicken - need advice

[jess1merlin]

Hi

 

I am going to order a cube tomorrow ( never had chickens before, getting very excited) and have found a spot for it in the garden where it will be on a permenant basis.

I am wondering if it is better to lay paying slabs to put the cube on or if it should go straight onto the soil and also what should I put on the floor.

If I place the cube straight onto the soil I am worried that the damp will come up through the soil and make it a bit muddy and difficult to clean. I know chickens like to scratch around so noy sure they would be too happy with the paving slab option.

Also what is the best way to cover the run to keep the rain out ?

[Redwing]

I have a run on paving slabs and three with earth floors

 

The earth floors do get a little damp but it helps if they are covered with woodchip or one of the popular horse beddings such as Aubiose, a roof or run cover really helps and you would def need one for aubiose as it soaks up water

 

Congratulations on choosing your cube and welcome

[jess1merlin]

I have looked at the various photos of runs on the forum which are very impressive and one looks as if it has gravel on the floor. Is that a good option or does it make it difficult to clean.

 

Sue

[Redwing]

I have heard of a few runs wth gravel in so they must work but personally I would be worried about where the poo goes, if you hose it down you would need to have really good drainage

[Plum]

Hello, I have slabs with hemcore and woodchip on it. It's covered and works really well, they scratch about in it and it dries up poo and keeps fresh. You can sweep the bedding away and clean the slabs. Needs covering with a clear shower curtain and bungees though when it rains.

[broni.jones]

hello guys,

i am having a similar problem.

 

i have one cube with out a run, the girls have a large fenced off section of the garden to do with what they will. i put bark chips down & remove every few months.

 

i have now just brought a cube with run for my bantams. this is going to stay in a fixed possition. some of you have mentioned wood chips, is that different to bark chips? where do you by it from? i went into SCATS country store to ask for aboise - they had never heard of it!

 

i don't find that bark works very well on mud. any ideas?

i would rather not put slabs down as i have done that in my other run for the eglu to stand on, and had a rat problem for a while! the little nibblers dug under the slabs!

[GeorgieB]

We tried bark too and we had the same problem as we're having with the rubber chippings, in that we can't pick up the poo and have bad drainage, so the smell is getting quite strong! Wood chippings seems to be the best option from what I've read on another thread on here.

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

We've got an eglu & converter on slabs with aubiose and it's been brilliant over the winter. Changed the aubiose every 6-8 weeks and put it in the composter. Combined with the sand that they throw out of the dustbath we are getting a good quality soil improver.

 

We've just ordered a cube & extension & it will go on the same base, but as it's summer & the grass is good again we're going to put them on grass for a few weeks first.

 

Our slabs are the 24" square ones from B&Qs. We Stalosan them when we change the aubiose after a good hose down - easy!

[Egluntyne]

Slabs every time for me.

 

Simplicity itself to clean and prevents foxes tunneling in.