sleepymummy Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 Odd question, I know!!! I only ask as we have recently moved our permenant run after doing some jolly landscaping in the garden. Where the girls are now doesn't get much sun this time of year (so no drying out after rain/damp nights). We have quite a boggy garden anyway and their run is now just a big old squelchy mess. There was grass in there but they have stripped it bare. We have put straw down and a huge bag of bark chips to try and ease ther problem but they are just getting trampled into the ooze by the hens. Do I need to be concerned? What shall I put down? It's only a matter of time before I'm flat out just trying to collect the eggs!!! Cheers all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 A good thick layer of woodchips would help - a good couple of inches if possible to answer your question I would only worry if the hens have feathered legs as their legs would be damp all the time, if they are clean legged birds they should be ok, just keep an eye on them and check their legs during your normal regular health checks Can you cover part of the run with a roof so they have a dry refuge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 I can't imagine it can be good for them tbh, but I'd be more worried about the wet ground stagnating and what it might harbour, particularly if you're not able to regularly clear the ground of their droppings. While a deep layer of woodchip will keep their feet above water, the actual woodchip itself will just be sitting in the wet ground and will itself become as unpleasant and potentially unhealthy. It will also stagnate, so it won't be a permanent solution and you'll have the added problem of getting rid of stinking woodchip. Sorry to sound so negative but I first used woodchip on an area at the bottom of my garden a few years ago where I planned to overwinter my bantams. It didn't take long to realise I'd made a big mistake! I now have a different area of garden which is woodchipped for their winter enjoyment (and to save the grass in their main living quarters), but it's at the top of the garden and the water drains away from it, so there is no waterlogging. If there's nowhere else in the garden you can overwinter them, I'd recommend putting paving slabs down in the run and then adding woodchip (or hemcore/aubiose/etc) on top. It will be easier for you to change when it gets mucky and you'll be able to disinfect the slabs when you do. If you go the woodchip route, make sure it's woodchip and not just chipped bark as the latter will certainly be a health hazard on wet ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 I use Hemcore or Easibed which get damp when it rains but dry out quite quickly. I agree with Redwing though, a roof is the best defence against sogginess . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymummy Posted November 6, 2009 Author Share Posted November 6, 2009 Hmmm, glad I asked now - no honest!! Only one of my ladies has feathered legs (only partially), so I guess, that yes, that would be a problem eventually. I can see my husband, knee deep in all manner of unspeakables this weekend while I direct from the nice parts of the garden! This may sound completely thick and may have something to do with the wine I have been enjoying this evening - but what's the difference between chipped bark and bark chips? They have a couple of dry areas but they are quite small. I think we do need to cover more over the winter so that they aren't squelcj=hing around too much. Thanks so much for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Wood chips are chunky bits of actual wood, they should make it easier to let water trickle down between them leavng the top surface damp rather than soaking, you do need a good depth though or they will simply disappear in to the mud Bark chips or bark are much thinner, often shredded and fiberous and can be absorbant and slippery, they wll compact on the surface Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 My garden tends to be like the Somme too. I have the Eglus up on paving slabs, with a good layer of Aubiose on top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 It's important to keep their feet as dry as you can (not easy in this weather) so a good layer of Aubiose is a good idea. While they don't get trench foot, the constant dampness will soften the scales on their legs and feet, making it easier for infections and scaley leg mite to take hold. I always advise to disinfect the run floor with a mix of garden lime and Stalosan or BioDri before laying down the Aubiose. That usually helps to keep it dry and healthy. Of course, a covered run is essential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymummy Posted November 6, 2009 Author Share Posted November 6, 2009 This is really helpful, thanks everyone. They do have some cover and they are against 2 fences so are quite sheltered for extreme elements but the squelch is spreading and is now about half the run which itself is about 2m square. we'll have a good clear of it this weekend. i haven't heard of Abiose but will Google and get some asap. Thanks so much for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 You'll find that most fed stores and equine suppliers stock Aubiose. It's best to have a clear cover over the run though. A tarp will do, but clear corrugated plastic or polycarbonate is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymummy Posted November 6, 2009 Author Share Posted November 6, 2009 Right, can get hold of Aubiose in Countrywide but where do I get Biodri or Stalosan from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 You can get Stalosan online from Regency Poultry There's some Bio Dri here they do the same thing so you'll need one or t'other. Mix some in a bucket with some garden lime and sprinkle it on the soil uner the Aubiose. Did you manage to find a clear tarp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 I've never seen Stalosan except online . The P&P is what makes it expensive although it does last for ages. I bought an 8kg box 2 years ago and there's still a little left. Alpahatch, Flytesofancy and Regency Poultry (cheapest at present!) are all online stockists. There is an Ebay supplier of 25kg bags - £28 inc P&P but good value compared to the 8kg boxes.elsewhere Bio-dry might be available in equine supplies places. Edit: just followed the Ebay link - it's Regency Poultry. It's slightly cheaper buying from them direct rather than their shop on Ebay . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymummy Posted November 6, 2009 Author Share Posted November 6, 2009 I haven't got a tarp yet. We'll go out this weekend and probably get some corrugated plastic. Can't find Biodri on Countrywide website but think I can get it at Domestic Fowl Trust. Hopefully get it sorted this weekend. Can't drive at the moment as I've just had my appendix out so will have to drag hubby and three kiddies out on a chauffered run improvement mission! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Where are you located? Someone on here may know of a supplier in your area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gem_Seb Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Annies poultry sell Stalosen i think, Shes in Bristol but i think her website has an online shop... Im glad you posted this i was thinking the same the other day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymummy Posted November 6, 2009 Author Share Posted November 6, 2009 I live near Tewkesbury, north Gloucestershire. The Domestic Fowl Trust is about 40 mins away and I have 3 Countrywides to choose from! I must be able to find it from one of those places. Will have to get a bit of guttering I suppose as all the water will end up back in the run won't it? Blimey, when you buy an Eglu you think that's it!!!! But you just go on getting grander and grander ideas! They were fine last winter as there were only 2 of them and they were further up the garden but as we've just had it turfed, am v reluctant to put them back there, they'll strip the grass bare as they have done everywhere else they've been! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymummy Posted November 6, 2009 Author Share Posted November 6, 2009 Glad you found it useful Gem_Seb, I thought you'd all think I'd gone potty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misscherryskull Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Hiya,reading this got me thinking too My hens are in an uncovered run but its on garden chips but their never in it always roaming the garden which is also chipped with a grassed area which at present is like a soggy mess coz of all the rain here in lovely damp scotland so do i need to worry bout their feet being constantly wet? Their house is always clean & dry so would their feet not be okay getting respite overnight from the damp?? Their in the house from 5pm till 7am just now (their choice ) Thanks Sam x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Provided they have options, then it won't hurt their feet. Try putting a few slabs down, or logs or perches or similar, then if they don't want to stand on damp ground, they don't have to. It's tricky at the moment isn't it, we've had a horribly wet summer and autumn is even worse. I have one area that I'm having to stop using for my chickens at the moment because it's so wet down there. Sigh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Do you have any covered areas in the garden they can go into? Mine go back in the run for shelter when the weather is bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 My bantams have their boughton arks to shelter, plus lots of hedges and shrubs. I've raised the houses for my big girls n boys so they can shelter under there, but they also have covered structures for their food and water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted November 6, 2009 Share Posted November 6, 2009 Hiya,reading this got me thinking too My hens are in an uncovered run but its on garden chips but their never in it always roaming the garden which is also chipped with a grassed area which at present is like a soggy mess coz of all the rain here in lovely damp scotland x ooooh Misscherryskull I spent many a happy childhood holiday in Saltcoats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beulah59 Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 I've opened up the greenhouse and put a feeder in there ... so they have somewhere to go when free ranging, if it rains. Actually, they spend a fair amount of time in the run even when the gate is open! I'm using wood/bark chip on soil and it's getting fairly wet (run not covered) but I think we'll be OK as drainage is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
