4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[jjmack]

When I finally get my eglu I am putting it on bark by the childrens play area. We already have bark down under the swing etc and the bark sits on a layer of weed supressing membrane. Do I need to lift the membrane under where the eglu and run will be or will they be ok with it staying there? Just a bit paranoid as went to see a friend with chickens yesterday, she has hers on bark and they looked as if the were digging for australia! I would hate for them to peck and end up eating the membrane.

[The Dogmother]

Personally, I wouldn't recommend bark as it gets very damp and breeds mould/bacteria spores. You will find that Aubiose (hemp horse bedding) is very dry and doesn't smell.

 

You won't need a membrane underneath either.

[Olly]

There won't be any weeds left once the chickens get in there!

[Staffordmum]

You will find that Aubiose (hemp horse bedding) is very dry and doesn't smell.

 

You won't need a membrane underneath either.

 

I am intrigued, since we recently erected the WIR and placed rubber chippings directly on the ground.

 

After just a few weeks we regret the decision not to use a membrane since the place is awash with mud - chippings well mixed in by the girls scratching

 

OK, we didn't put the roof on immediately and it did get wet it's taking forever to dry out ...

 

How does the use of Aubiose not necessitate a membrane? We need to revise our set up and now considering a totally slabbed base.

 

Thanks,

 

Pat & Steve

[The Dogmother]

You can put the Aubiose onto slabs if you prefer, but the chooks like to be able to scratch about in the soil. So long as it is on reasonably drained ground and the run is covered, you shouldn't need anything under the Aubiose.

 

Try it without - you can always lay slabs afterwards if you prefer. The key to good chook husbandry is to keep their run and housing dry - the wet causes bacteria and viruses to multiply at an alarming rate.

 

Most people who have tried the rubber chipppings have had the same problem as you.

[chickencam]

We have bark in both of our runs and we find that yes they do dig deep holes and if it is kept reasonably dry they turn it over pretty well. We change the top layer of chippings about once a month in our Eglu run which is quite well drained. We are reserving judgement on our new area which despite a roof got very wet yesterday with run off from their roof and the summerhouse roof.

 

I you do decide on bark I would take up the membrane in that area so that the chippings and the soil can free drain. Our girls still dig up worms in their run despite being in the same area for over 2 years, so it is quite good for them to foragw around in. I think that we have been quite lucky with our area and it has built up it's own eco-system over time, we have no problems with flies or smell. The Eglu is in dappled shade for most of the day which may help too.