What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[Felonie]

Can anyone advise me please, Iam waiting (not too patiently) for the delivery of my cube and would like to use woodchip in the run but not sure what type to buy? One more little question, when I clean out the cube, should I use poulty shield or a hot water and bleach solution? Thanks to everyone for your help

[sjp]

I've herd that hardwood is bad due to the way some of it spliters I use softwood form a horsey type place

as for cleaning I just use poultry shield for my hen house asa I now its safe

[Redwing]

I think that might be shavings you are thinking of SJP, softwood shavings are better than hardwood shavings because of the splinters

 

Regarding woodchip i use the hardwood ones as they are in nice big solid chunks, the softwood ones I have seen look a bit shreddy and I wprry that they could shed splinters and won't last as long as the hardwood ones

[Felonie]

Thanks for that, I have a timber yard near me and I can bag up my own chips but they have several piles of different sorts, I though hardwood may be better but it takes much longer to mulch down and I wanted to put it in the compost so it ends up on the garden.

 

I went there yesterday and started to bag up softwood chips but having heaved the bags into the car, changed my mind and tipped them out and started again. Also some have been there a while and started to compost themselves and I did not know if this would be harmful?

 

Must have the very best for my girls when I get them

[Felonie]

Thanks for that, I have a timber yard near me and I can bag up my own chips but they have several piles of different sorts, I though hardwood may be better but it takes much longer to mulch down and I wanted to put it in the compost so it ends up on the garden.

 

I went there yesterday and started to bag up softwood chips but having heaved the bags into the car, changed my mind and tipped them out and started again. Also some have been there a while and started to compost themselves and I did not know if this would be harmful?

 

Must have the very best for my girls when I get them

[Redwing]

I get the B&Q hardwood chips, they last ages

[Felonie]

Thank you for that, I will look next time I go that way. I cant wait to get back from my holiday because the same day, my cube will be deliverd!

[sjp]

shaving from a wood yard might be to dusty

[Felonie]

They dont seem dusty as they are quite large but I will check on that Thanks

[Laddie the Dog]

I've used both hardwood and softwood chips and the hens don't seem to mind either way. I now prefer softwood because they go in the compost heap better.

 

Problem: B&Q doesn't seem to sell either these days - unless you want them dyed terracotta!!! Any alternative sources???

[Omletina Kyckling]

My local B and Q has natural woodchip in stock in hardwood and softwood. I was there this morning and checked. Still same price of £5.48 too? Could you ask yours to get some in?

[Laddie the Dog]

Thanks. I'll try. One branch hasn't had any the last three times I've visited, and at another the guy said they'd stopped carrying them. But don't ask, don't get!!