Sian Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 We have just moved our Eglu after the winter, and the ground where the run has been is very 'sour' - and not a little smelly! We have turned over the soil with a fork and levelled the ground, but is there anything we can put down to reduce the smell and help the ground recover? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 Try some garden lime Sian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 My Eglus are on permanent bases and the hens rootle about in the area's around them. The ground is really now just churned up mud and poo. (Very heavy clay soil) Is it safe to put lime down to refresh the earth in these areas, and if so, how soon can the chickens play out on it again. Ta muchly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 We've always sprinkled lime while the girls were around, it doesn't harm them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaime Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 My understanding is that you have to use Garden Lime the sort you would use on an allotment. There is another sort which is sometimes called quick lime and should be avoided as it can create a chemical burn on humans so may have the same effect on chickens. Unfortunately I dont know what the difference really is - so cant advise further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 I bought some garden lime, but when i got it home, I see that it is granulated. Drat....I thought it would be powder. I don't want the hens to gobble up granules so will use it elsewhere and try to get some powder....unless you think granules will be OK. Please advise!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaime Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 I found this info... Agricultural Lime or Garden LimeAgricultural Lime or Garden Lime is made from pulverized limestone or chalk. As well as raising the pH it will provide calcium for the crops and trace nutrients. Some recent experiments are indicating our soils may well benefit from the addition of rock dust, adding trace nutrients to the soil. You can find more on this on the Organic UK web site Dolomite Lime Dolomite lime is similar to garden lime but contains a higher percentage of magnesium. Quicklime and Slaked Lime Quicklime is produced by burning rock limestone in kilns. It is highly caustic and cannot be applied directly to the soil. Quicklime reacts with water to produce slaked, or hydrated, lime, thus quicklime is spread around the land in heaps to absorb rain and form slaked lime, which is then spread on the soil. Their use is prohibited by the organic standards and while fast acting, the effect is short lived in comparison to garden lime. If garden lime is pulverised limestone and chalk it shouldn't do your chooks any harm - and it would be a source of calcium - But i'm no scientist so I dont know!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 Ta muchly Jaime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 My box suggests watering the lime in once you have sprinkled it. That might reduce the number of granules lying around. I use it regularly and haven't noticed them eating it though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 Thanks Ginette. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 I just use limestone flour that you can get from Horsey shops? I feed it to the tortoises for calcium and sprinkle it on the ground when the chickens run gets raked over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 I also use it under the Aubiose and haven't noticed any problems with my chooks ingesting it. Just make sure that it's GARDEN lime rather than the caustic sort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 When I opened the box, the granules were no bigger than coffee granules, so I sprinkled it around yesterday. it was just starting to rain so hopefully it should dissolve into the ground over night. I got more in my mouth nose and eyes than on the ground! Am still here to tell the tale.....as yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sian Posted February 28, 2007 Author Share Posted February 28, 2007 Thanks everyone - I'll get some garden lime at the weekend and hopefully have a sweeter smelling garden next week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
