Cube Mark One Run

[KateCooke]

I have my Eglu and run on some wood chip but am looking to fill it up as i think they could do with another 100litres but natural wood chip is hard to find all i keep seeing is bark, however yesterday in local garden centre i saw big bags of coco bean shells, a waste product of the british chocolate manufactures. This looks like the hens will love it on the floor of the run (smells lovely too). Has anyone every heard of it or know whether it would be ok, its advertised on bag as uses in garden around plants, very similar to bark.

 

Kate (now wanting a dairy milk)

[sjp]

I used to use it as a mulch when it first came on the market but it rots down to quick so I stoped using it there was a thread about it on practical poultry forum last year that basically said not to use it as it might not be safe for livestock

If you want wood chip then easibed is what I use or if you can find it CUSHIONBED both wood chip

[Plum]

I've also heard you shouldn't use it for poultry but don't know why

[Mercedes55]

I have read that dogs shouldn't eat the stuff as it can give them the same kind of poisoning as if they had eaten chocolate. That makes me wonder if the same could apply to chickens as I know chocolate is harmful to birds, just a thought really

[craftyhunnypie]

I wonder if perhaps it gets too mulchy & harbours fungi spores? Harmful to chickens.

I use easibed.

 

Emma.x

[KateCooke]

Thanks everyone for that, really appreciate your advice.

[pipistrelle]

I used it on the garden and in weeks it's green with mould Not nice!

Does smell nice at first...but makes you want to eat chocolate and I don't need more encouragement!