2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[Boybeck]

I used Aubiose in my walk in run for the first time last December. Now two months on it's still looking brilliant and I haven't changed it yet.

 

I just do a bit of poo picking every two days or so. Sooo much better than the bark chips I was using.

 

[Cinnamon]

It is fab stuff,isn't it?

I used to have bark, which was good but a heavy nightmare to change - my run is now only fully changed about 4 times a year,& its an easy job.

I can even get freecyclers to come & collect the spent Aubiose,as its so rich in poo

[chickencam]

I too am a recent convert. I only have it in their houses at the moment, but it is so much easier to deal with than the newspaper that we used to line them with before. I was having to change the newspaper sometimes daily but certainly on alternate days and my composters were getting very full. It took me a while to find a local supplier of Aubiose and I refused to get some until I could pronounce it properly.

 

I now poo pick daily in both houses and change it every 10 days or so.

 

I am considering using some in the WIR too, but I think that I would need to make the roof more watertight first. It is covered but there are a couple of gaps and we haven't solved the water run off problems yet, it still drips into the run in places. It is much easier to compost than the bark chips and newspaper, so we will have to see.

[Groovychook]

Wish my aubiose lasted as long as everybody elses

 

My cube and run are on a concrete base, covered by a tarp that goes all the way down the sides. I've got scaffolding boards at the base, to stop the girls from booting all the aubiosel out.

 

When it rains- which it seems to do for most of the year , the rain seems to gather on the bit of the base on the outskirts of the run and soaks through under the run. The aubiose becomes sodden in no time, so I end up changing it or topping it up all the time. I probably have to buy a new bale every 3 weeks or so .

 

Any tips anyone?!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

If I were you, rather than changing the whole lot, I'd just rake up the damp bits (if you can get in to do that ), mix it with the dry bits and add a bit of new Aubiose which should help dry the dampness out .

[Groovychook]

If I were you, rather than changing the whole lot, I'd just rake up the damp bits (if you can get in to do that ) .

Quite! not the easiest entrance to get through!! Trouble is, that it's not just limited to damp 'bits'- the whole lot gets squelchy. I tend to rake off the top layer, leaving a wet covering underneath, and then top up with fresh aubiose.

 

I could really do with a few dry, breezy days so that I could take the tarp off and let things dry out a bit. Either that or have my walk in run built! We've had the weldmesh since last May but that's a whole other story

[Boybeck]

The rain's frustrating isn;t it? My WIR isn't very water tight so my Aubiose can get quite soggy but it soon dries out after a few days of sunshine.

 

The only disadvantage is that it sticks to the bottom of your shoes and gets everywhere, including our house.

[Egluntyne]

Wish my aubiose lasted as long as everybody elses

 

My cube and run are on a concrete base, covered by a tarp that goes all the way down the sides. I've got scaffolding boards at the base, to stop the girls from booting all the aubiosel out.

 

When it rains- which it seems to do for most of the year , the rain seems to gather on the bit of the base on the outskirts of the run and soaks through under the run. The aubiose becomes sodden in no time, so I end up changing it or topping it up all the time. I probably have to buy a new bale every 3 weeks or so .

 

Any tips anyone?!

 

I think the dampness soaks up from between the slabs. Someone recently mentoned that they has used pond lining fabric between the slabs and the Aubiose, and that it had mad e a huge difference.

[Groovychook]

I think the dampness soaks up from between the slabs. Someone recently mentoned that they has used pond lining fabric between the slabs and the Aubiose, and that it had mad e a huge difference.

Thanks for the tip!

Sounds like a good idea I might just try that!

[shoura]

"The only disadvantage is that it sticks to the bottom of your shoes and gets everywhere, including our house"

 

Know the feeling---I have to vacuum so much more often since switching to Hemcore!

[sadietoo]

Aubiose everywhere in our house too...courtesy of our dog...with the low slung tum who goes into the run and comes out with her undercarriage covered in it!!

[The Dogmother]

"The only disadvantage is that it sticks to the bottom of your shoes and gets everywhere, including our house"

 

Know the feeling---I have to vacuum so much more often since switching to Hemcore!

 

*Ummm* I have outdoor shoes, which I use in the run, then kick off outside the back door. Keeps all the chickeny stuff outside.

[shoura]

I have boots but soemtimes I'm in a rush going to work and I don't bother--also the dogs track it in....and housework is not top of my list of priorities to be honest!!

[Groovychook]

I think the dampness soaks up from between the slabs. Someone recently mentoned that they has used pond lining fabric between the slabs and the Aubiose, and that it had mad e a huge difference.

Thanks for the tip!

Sounds like a good idea I might just try that!

Well I know we haven't had the wettest of weather for the past couple of weeks, but I just wanted to report back that I've been road testing the pond liner idea and so far so good! It's still lovely & dry!

We had a showery day earlier in the week and that would normally have been enough to start of the dampness- just hoping that it will withstand any heavier downpours

 

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction Egluntyne!

[sandyhas3chucks]

aye she's a good en, our "E", that's for sure

[bessandra]

Hi

just nosing in on this chat.. I like the idea of the pond liner business but won't the water and poo and all things nice just sit on the aubiose and liner and not drain away?

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

Hi

just nosing in on this chat.. I like the idea of the pond liner business but won't the water and poo and all things nice just sit on the aubiose and liner and not drain away?

 

We were thinking the same thing. Have the same problem with dampness, but decided that, as it dries out when the rain stops, it's no difference from them being outside on the damp ground or in the wild. We change the aubiose 4-weekly if it's damp & leave it longer when the weather's dry. We've got a short-handled rake that we s"Ooops, word censored!" through it to let air in & prevent it compacting. Doesn't seem to be a problem.

 

Now the warmer weather's coming (Ha! Ha!) it should dry out quicker.

[Groovychook]

Hi

just nosing in on this chat.. I like the idea of the pond liner business but won't the water and poo and all things nice just sit on the aubiose and liner and not drain away?

Mine was doing that on the concrete slab anyway and water was seeping in at the sides, even though the slab is level! I left a small upturn all around the edge, so it stops any water getting in... up to now that is anyway! The aubiose soaks up any wetness from the chickens and stays much fresher.

It'll obviously be put to a better test when we have a long spell of rain though