Sooo much pooping

[chookaloo]

Upto now my girlies have been in a run with initially grass on the floor but now the floor resembles a bomb site with holes dug here there and everywhere!!

 

I'm going to move the run and would like some help about what to do for the floor. I thought about laying down a porous membrane, covering it with wirenetting and putting a good layer of wood chipping on top. Does this sound suitable or should I think about some alternative way?

 

I need to prevent the little blighters digging for freedom!!!!

 

Thanks

 

Pete

[nattie]

We put some log roll - the solid sections not the actual roll - around the cube just on top of the grass and mud and then filled it with bark chips and it has done really well so far. we needed about 400 litres of bark. The chickens dig and scratch in the bark and love pecking through to the odd blade of grass and buried treats and grit. It looks much tidier and cleaner and works for us.

Edited September 27, 2010 by Guest

[migsy]

You won't need a membrane because the chooks will eat anything that grows through. If you use woodchips make sure they are hardwood ones which don't go mushy. You can get them at B&Q.

[Clairey_Fairy]

In the space of a week the grass is no longer in our run! We knew it wouldn't last long and are also planning log roll edging and wood chip, so that is our project for next weekend. Poo picking out of the Eglu Classic run is not easy though!

[LeeMeadfan]

I have to confess that I don't actually poo pick my Eglu run - it just seems to disappear?!

 

I have recently bought some Stalosan F whichI've sprinkled in the run (chucked it through bars & through open run door) then raked about - although I have to say the girls were very helpful in raking it about too!!

 

My run & Eglu is just on soil (though there are a few 'paving bricks' in there too!)

 

I hadn't really noticed a massive smell or anything not even over the summer (well only got them beginning of August) but felt the benefits to the soil for the girls were worth it.I should add that they FR every day also, so I do poo pick the garden - weather /darkness permitting!

 

I've aslo used it in poo tray, which I ten line with newspaper & it has certainly helped with the 'wetness'.

[Plum]

Not sure about using a membrane, the girls will probably rip it. If the run is open it may prevent rain water draining away and make it difficult for you to turn the ground over to keep it fresh However, I have not put my girls on earth.

If you cover the run on top and rain side it'll keep things a bit drier and give you the option of trying different beddings but the success depends on position and soil. If you are at the bottom of a slope on clay it may get pretty wet but otherwise can be very sucessful.

 

The ground under the run can be kept healthy by digging it over every few months and putting down garden lime or sprinkling Stalosan F or similar on the earth.

 

You'll probably find out by trial and error what works best in your circumstances.

[chookaloo]

Thanks evryone for your input. I think I'm going to lay wire netting down on the ground an then cover it with wood chips. This will stop the girlies digging and stop rodents getting in. My soil is light and sandy and my run is covered over so it should help prevent a mess like we have now. I'll keep the forum posted.