Unsecure chicken perches

[Heidi-Hi]

Hi, sorry if this is a bit of a stupid question, but what is the difference between:

 

1. Wood chip

2. Bark chip (says on bag it is for playgrounds)

3. Bark (I think I know that one, it is the stuff from the garden centre, wet and mouldy and used for mulch)

4. Wood shavings (is it fine stuff like Aubiouse?)

 

Will the Bark Chip go mouldy too? Is it better just to stick to Wood Chip (from the local tree man, which is apparently just green wood gone through the chipper/shredder, and then you take your chance with Red Mite), or Aubiose? I use Aubiose already in the chicken house, so I know it is fantastic stuff.

 

Thank you!

[Perfectspace]

Wood chips from a Tree Surgeon could come as soft wood or hard wood. Generally, hard wood is preferable as a floor covering, as it won't rot for a long, long time. Soft wood is also good, but will rot sooner. Depends largely on the tree it came from.

 

I think your numbers 2. and 3. are the same.... Bark chip is what you can buy in DIY / Garden centres, and is used in playgrounds, and also in gardens. It will go a bit more 'mulchy' than wood, but with a decent depth you can turn it over in the run. Rather than stopping the rain get to it, getting it wet actually means the poo is broken down and seeps through to the bottom (bare earth) quicker. And of course our Bantams turn it over frequently anyway.

 

So far Bark Chip is working well for us, but I believe from what I have read that Wood Chip is probably preferable. Can't help you on wood shavings / aubiose.....

[Heidi-Hi]

Is the bark chips for playgrounds not a bit more chunky and solid (and more expensive) that the 'normal' bark that is used for mulching or ornamental beddings?

[sjp]

I use easibed or cushionbed (depending on which supplier I go to) they are both softwood for stables the later is from recycled pallets and wood yard waste.they work out cheaper than buying it from one of the DIY 'sheds'

the woodchip from tree surgeons around here tends to be conifer with a lot of ivy or laural in and can have been on the truck a while and not very good quality

[Gelbel]

I just want to add my 2p worth to this. I decided to try wood chip last week as I have been finding Hemcore is going very fluffy, very quickly recently. As the runs are covered I plumped for soft wood - also I won't feel so guilty if I ditch it quickly if I don't like it.

 

While I am not 100% happy with it (it does not look that good, it showed up the louse powder I liberally shook over it for a number of day and the girls easily scratch down to the paving slabs) for poo hiding/breaking down it's BRILLIANT and the girls can't kick it so far and they have been 'dust bathing' in it.

 

I went to out to do my usual weekly rake and poo pick and it was done within 20 minutes rather than the usual best part of an hour.

 

So, I am sticking with it for the time being. I'll give an update when I need to change it out - see how long it lasts and all that.

[Heidi-Hi]

As the runs are covered I plumped for soft wood - also I won't feel so guilty if I ditch it quickly if I don't like it

 

Gelbel, where did you source it from?

[Gelbel]

Hi Heidi - sorry, that needed to be done.

 

B&Q, just short of £6 a bag. I used one bag for my 6'6" x 3' WIR - just the right amount. It looked too much but has settled down.

[Heidi-Hi]

Thats OK, my name is Heidi!

[Dizzy-Deb]

Sorry to jump in... but is the woodchip available from B&Q. Thanks x

[Gelbel]

Yes Dizzy-Deb it is. As I said, the softwood is shy of £6. Hard wood is the same price but comes in a much smaller bag. I'd check stock on line as not all B&Qs have it - I had to go to one of the massive warehouses rather than my local store (that looks pretty mega to me).

[Dizzy-Deb]

Yes Dizzy-Deb it is. As I said, the softwood is shy of £6. Hard wood is the same price but comes in a much smaller bag. I'd check stock on line as not all B&Qs have it - I had to go to one of the massive warehouses rather than my local store (that looks pretty mega to me).

 

Hi

 

thanks for info, just been in our local B&Q today and couldnt find it. So will check the one near where I work. I saw plenty of chip bark. Is the woodchip ok if it gets wet ? sorry for daft question . xx

[mafia princess]

If it is the same wood bark I am using from B&Q, they have recently had it on a special offer of 3 for 2. I find it rakes over nicely. Treacle and Toffee do love to scratch at it and dig holes, presumeably for a dust bath despite the sand tray I have given them - that just gets full of wood bark!

[Gelbel]

Is the woodchip ok if it gets wet ? sorry for daft question . xx

Not a daft question. Given the monsoon we are having today - it's GREAT in the rain. As the rain is coming down at all angles and I won't cover my run 100% (got to let the air in) bits of the run have got wet and the wood chip has coped very well.

[Dizzy-Deb]

thank you Gelbel for the answer to my question . I havent managed to get any yet but going to try B&Q near where I work later on today. It sounds like the stuff that I need to put inside the run of my eglu when get it.

 

I am going to have nose too in a local bird feed place near where I work and see what suff they have in stock. I am guessing they may have easibed or similar stuff.

 

so many products about, it is quite confusing for a newbie.

[Gelbel]

I think everyone is a bit confuddled at first - but you soon settle in to it all and work out what's right for your and your girls/set up.

[Dizzy-Deb]

Checked out the feed place and they have Easibed in stock. Would that be ok if cant get the other stuff ? and again is it ok with the rain, it looks like it might be very absorbant !

 

It is confusing to start and so grateful for all the wonderful help and advice get from here.