Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[stephent]

Hi,

 

Just got our Eglu and looking to set it up on the grass. I didnt really want to move it around the garden alot as i wanted to keep the rest of the garden tidy.

 

Does any body have any ideas on how to keep the grass the chickens are on fairly tidy and not just end up with mud?

 

We were thinking of bordering off an area and just placing wood bark on top of the grass, but this may stay damp?

 

I'd be grateful for your help.

 

Thanks

[chickinboy]

Welcome to the forum!

 

If you're leaving the eglu in a fixed position, even with only a couple a chickens, the grass they're on will only last a matter of days I'm afraid! I use wood chip on the floor of my WIR, and lots of people use horse bedding, easibed etc. With this stuff though, you'd need to keep the run covered, or it'll end up a soggy mess. Might be an idea to make an area slightly bigger than the run, and use boards (think the omlet shop might sell them?), as your girls will have so much fun digging around in it that a lot of it will end up being kicked out of the run! You can use the covers that the shop also sells for a bit of pretection against the wind and rain - though lots of people use cheap clear shower curtains too.

[squidsin]

I've gone for a fixed position and woodchip too, to preserve as much of my lawn as possible, and have bought nets to restrict the areas when I let them out to free range (which won't be for a while as I've only had them two days!). I may cover the run in winter and try aubiose or something like that, but I've only got two little bantams so I am hoping the woodchip and full shade cover when it rains will be enough to keep the condition of the run clean and manageable this summer at least.

[Chucky Mama]

I keep a cube on grass but they free range all day and so only spend 1/2 hour or so in the run in the morning before they are let out. I still move it a few feet to fresh grass and poop a scoop where it has been every week. In the winter I leave it pretty much in one place and they spend almost no time in the run. Moving it around in the winter would make the area too muddy. If your chickens are to stay in the run for any length of time it would be best to use some sort of bedding or bark.

[Rosey Supposey]

I kept my ex-batts in the run for quite a few weeks before letting them out to free-range. I used to move the Eglu and run around the lawn and I worked out the 3 of them would render the area scratched down, but with potential to re-grow quite quickly, in 5 days. In 7 days the patch of lawn would be obliterated and take months to grow back (I have one patch from a year ago that' still showing no signs of recovery).

 

In the end I kept the Eglu in one place and lined the run with bark chippings, it was a real pain to clean out though!

 

Now they free-range all day but I have to pen off their favourite areas from time to time as they've dug so far down I'm in danger of losing them!

[stephent]

I think i'll border off an area and lay bark down. I will cover the run as well, simly because we have a clay soil where i am and grass can get sodden. I will also build a perch for outside to try and elevate them off the ground whenever possible.

 

I didnt really thinking about having to clean the bark. How do you go about it? Just scoop up the poo or replace it all?

 

Thanks

[Alis girls]

I have kept my eglu in one place and put woodchip down to preserve garden. They are excellent weeders and have their henquarters in the pampass grass into which they disappear. the lawn has stood up so far to their rooting.

[Busybird]

I have had my eglu run on the same patch of mud (was grass) for a couple of years. The eglu is on slabs. I have slabs laid either side of the run to deter predators. The whole chicken garden (the bit they free range in regularly) has had all grass efficently removed (it is about 12m x 5m). They have also demolished their favourite shrubs.

 

I have my runs covered with a variety of shower curtains, omlet shades and camping groundsheets. This keeps enough of the run dry to allow the chooks dust bathing spots but it can still get very boggy in places in wet weather.

 

To keep smells at bay I dig in garden lime a few times a year and sprinkle stalosan F on the mud when I detect any whiffs. This arrangement suits me as I find it straightforward to clean and maintain and my chooks seem happy.