Is your dog's unusual barking a secret code for something mysterious?

[Bramble]

Sorry for all the Qs, but I was just wondering whether you all just put bedding in the next box, or whether you put it under the roosting bars too (in an eglu classic)? I hosed out the droppings tray last night and just wondered if it would be better if I'd put bedding in the tray as well?

[Mercedes55]

No question is a dim question, I ask them all the time too

 

I put newspaper underneath the roosting bars in my Eglu and then put some bedding on top of that purely to make it easier to pick out the bits of poo in the morning. You can just use newspaper on it's own, but I found it got a bit wet and was sticking on the bottom of the tray

[Roobaloo]

I didn't used to put anything under the bars, I just brushed it off then hosed down. Now it's in a walk in run it's harder to get out, so I sprinkle some auboise/easibed in there to help keep it cleaner.

 

In the nest box I use chopped straw...again, I used to use auboise and am considering going back as Toph seems to prefer it in the nest to the roosting bars.

[Bertrum]

We have shredded paper in the nest box and sawdust under the roosting bars.

[Bramble]

Thanks, I have put some sawdust under the roosting bars for now but plan to get some aubiose/hemcore when I've used that up (shame it only comes in such enormous bags, isn't it?)

I had put shredded paper and sawdust in the nesting box, but they seem to kick most of it out, not sure if they don't like it or if it's because they're not used to having bedding.

Thanks everyone.

[scarlettohara]

It will make it smell much nicer I suspect they are kicking it around as if they were fring - trying to see if there is anything nice to eat in there

[jess1merlin]

I put aubiose under the roosting bars and it makes it easier to pick out the poo. I also use it in the nest box and in the run as well.

[Egluntyne]

Aubiose in the nest box, under the bars and in the run for me.

[kevf1]

i don't bother with the nesting box anymore as they just kick out what ever i put in there.. at present i'm using sawdust under the roosting bars... but will use aubiose once thats finished....

[ElvisFan]

I was going to ask a question about the nesting box, my two also kick out whatever I put in there and just leave the egg in without any nesting material, is it essential that they have something in or will it be OK if there isn't anything in there, I think i will always put something in as I guess it entertains them kicking it out

[Bramble]

Thanks everyone for all those great replies. Does aubiose really make the house smell nicer? Have to say, I'm quite suprised at the amount of poo they generate, good job Im into composting, or I'm not sure what I'd do with it all!

I had some shredded paper and put that in the nest box as bedding with saw dust, but needless to say it's absolutely EVERYWHERE in the garden now, so don't think I'll do that again!

Why do I still feel so anxious about all this!?

[Mercedes55]

I think all of us who are new to keeping hens will be feeling anxious for some time

 

I've bought a bale of Aubiose but I haven't opened it yet, so no idea what it's like for disguising smells. I still have half a bale of softwood shavings to get through before I open that.

 

I haven't got a compost bin so my routine is that I go out with a scented nappy bag, they are great for hiding smells by the way. I do a quick dog poo scoop in the garden and then I pull out the tray on the Eglu and just use the same plastic garden trowel I use for the dog poo to pick up the chicken poo. I tie the bag up and bin it and so far it's been fine, haven't noticed any flies in my bin