Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[annettec]

I have just recently transferred the girls into our new WIR and put a thin layer of Hemcore on the floor.

I have been poo picking daily, but have found that it is going really fluffy i presume from the scratching the girls are doing.

 

BUT my biggest concern if that it appears to be getting stuck to the bottom of the girls feet and they are walking around with matted feet.

Is this normal for the hemcore does Auboise/easibed do the same thing ?

[patsylabrador]

I found that happened a lot. I'm using elephant grass at the moment from the plant miscanthus. It's more like wood but still absorbs poos, smells fresh and is good when it gets wet. I quite like it. I only bought it because the farm shop I was at didn't have anything else but it seems fine. No more mud balls on their toes.

[Roobaloo]

I use easibed and haven't seen anything like that

[Hen Watch]

I have no problems with Auboise which I think is the same hemp product as Hemcore.

 

I've used it for 3 years now. The run does need a good cover though to keep it dry. The only time they've had it stuck to their feet is sometimes in deepest winter when ground gets damp and the Auboise has been down a few weeks and needs changing....

[bronze]

I haven't had a problem either. I used to use hemcore until it was hard to get so now use auboise. You do need a good covering though. I put down at least two inches.

[Cinnamon]

We have had problems with Malteser toes,when the weather was wet especially.

We use Aubiose & have a very deep layer of it (8 inches or so),a covered run,but a high water table,so the pen floor does get soggy if it rises a lot due to rain.

 

I just do a check every couple of weeks, & remove any clodhoppers carefully - they don't need soaking, & you will end up wettest if you try to!

[annettec]

Thanks all I think it's when they walk in any poo it seems to stick despite me poo picking each day.

Must admit only have quite a thin layer used one bag on 18ft x 6ft run so perhaps will try adding the extra bag i bought.

Thanks

 

Ps Two more sleeps till the new girls are arriving

[Margaret]

Mine to get Malteser Toe ( Official term )

But my Girlies love a pedicure

1 Soak toes in warm water, making sure to hold hen close and have a little chat,ie kniting patterns,fav food.

2 Gently pick hemp off toes.

3 Rub dry, and massage legs with vaselin.

Takes about 10 mins per hen, and then sit down with large glass of wine ( you, not hen ) and let them get back to trashing the place again.

[Gelbel]

I use Hemcore and once in a while I get a bag that seems to go fluffy - so when I brought a new bag on Saturday I scanned over what I could see of the content and was prepared to reject the bag my supplier brought out to me if I thought it did not look solid enough.