Smiler33 Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Well we have a lovely sunny day here in Bristol today - John's gone into work for the morning but will be home this afternoon ready to clean out the . I've decided to put Aubiose down in the run. How much will I need to put down? When you 'poo pick', do you actually climb inside the run and do it?!! Sorry, remember I'm a newbie and we all have to start somewhere . Do you rake over the top bit and dig out the wet every week or so and then, say once a month, dig out the whole lot or how does it work? Gosh there's so much to learn; I wake up sometimes thinking I really don't know anything - thank goodness for you guys - thanks all of you Oh, sorry, another thing - how do you keep rats at bay? I read a horror story where a lady had to sell her much loved chickens as rats were coming into the garden in the middle of the day, bold as brass. That's the last thing we want (although our Terrier would soon dispatch them I'm sure ) Really going now ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Hello, I use about half a bail of Hemcore, in an Eglu run and extension. Make it a couple of centimetres thick, and see how you go - you can always add more it not enough. I rake mine over every week, and every couple of weeks I'll rake the top layer out and sprinkle some fresh stuff down. Then about every 6 weeks, I take the whole lot out, and replace it all. Does depend a bit on the weather though - just see how it goes. Each week I normally sprinkle Stalosan down as well - just helps minimise smells - especially as ground is so wet at the moment! Poo picking - tbh, I don't do a lot of that.... Especially at the moment with dark mornings and evenings! But then we only have 2 chickens, so it doesn't get that bad. And don't forget, if you are using horse bedding, to make sure your run is nicely covered up - otherwise it will be horrible!! Re Rats - be vigilant. We did have rats at the beginning, and we promply put poison down around the garden. Took a couple of weeks of replenishing the poison, but they all disapeared in the end. TBH, it is difficult to keep them out the run. Putting it on concrete slabs helps - but they can still get in through the bars on the run. Taking the food in at night will help as well - although we don't do that. Don't panic about it - just keep an eye open and don't be afraid to put some poison down if you suspect any activity. Hope helps!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted February 19, 2010 Author Share Posted February 19, 2010 Many thanks C&T! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 And remember that if using aubiose the run needs to be covered A lot of people use the clear tarps from here: http://tarpaflex.co.uk/acatalog/glass-clear-pvc-tarpaulins.html Or plastic shower curtains from Ikea - 79p! Or sheets of corrugated plastic held on with bungees oooh EDITED cos I see that CT has already told you this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted February 19, 2010 Author Share Posted February 19, 2010 Yep, the Cube we've got came with an Omlet cover and a clear Ikea shower curtain which already has clips on to clip to the run, so we should be OK. Many thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
