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

[groovydad]

I'm moving my run 8ftx12ft onto concrete as it's winter and we want our garden back (the run currently sits in the middle of the garden). It's enclosed and has a 3" metal frame around the bottom so I can go quite deep.

 

So all hemcore/similar type bedding or should I mix it with woodchip/soil to make it more interesting and go abit further?

 

The wife is starting to raise an eyebrow at the moment at the amount of time and money I spend on the chickens so I need to use whatever will last longest . Any ideas please folks. I don't want any more of the *stare* or the .

 

Thanks,

 

Adam

[abwsco]

I use lots of Bedmax dust extracted shavings in mine

[Plum]

Aw money well spent. A mix is probably a good idea because it will give them different textures.

 

I have hemcore, easibed and a pile of leaves in my run at the moment. Good move to have a frame round to keep it in but I'd extend it about 9 ins to keep the bedding from being chucked out.

 

Putting soil in is probably a good idea then when it goes on the compost heap it'll get recycled to the garden.

I didn't put soil in but what with the soil they've kicked from the dustbath and the amount that comes off them when they shake after having a good dustbath in the garden i may as well have done

 

Sorry the just kept slipping into the post

[Roobaloo]

I don't mean to hijack the thread but I was going to start one on a very similar subject...and figured it'd be better to tag along than duplicate - I hope that's ok?

 

My WIR is a converted shed, it had a solid paved floor and only two of the walls have been meshed, so it's well sheltered. I'm currently using EasiBed/Auboise (depending on what I can find cheaper) ...I only put a small covering in to make it easier to clean it out, so I don't poo pick but have to sweep it out weekly.

 

Would it be ok/easier to use a deeper layer of wood chip, poo pick daily and replace it all less often? I have a bad back and don't have a compost heap...so how long could I leave wood chip before replacing? (3 hens - 7ft x 6ft run)

 

I prefer the idea of wood chip as it's more natural (in that it looks like soil and they love to dig in it, my girls seem unimpressed by easibed) and I find insects try to hide in it more, so again, a source of "hen-tertainment!" (*groan*)

 

Thanks!

[Plum]

When I had woodchip in cube run I raked it every few days and took out big lumps but it stayed for about 3 months then I just felt it was too soiled so changed it. Everyone does it different.

[abwsco]

I don't mean to hijack the thread but I was going to start one on a very similar subject...and figured it'd be better to tag along than duplicate - I hope that's ok?

 

My WIR is a converted shed, it had a solid paved floor and only two of the walls have been meshed, so it's well sheltered. I'm currently using EasiBed/Auboise (depending on what I can find cheaper) ...I only put a small covering in to make it easier to clean it out, so I don't poo pick but have to sweep it out weekly.

 

Would it be ok/easier to use a deeper layer of wood chip, poo pick daily and replace it all less often? I have a bad back and don't have a compost heap...so how long could I leave wood chip before replacing? (3 hens - 7ft x 6ft run)

 

I prefer the idea of wood chip as it's more natural (in that it looks like soil and they love to dig in it, my girls seem unimpressed by easibed) and I find insects try to hide in it more, so again, a source of "hen-tertainment!" (*groan*)

 

Thanks!

 

I use the deep litter method but with the Bedmax. Our WIR, which is on soil has about a foot of the shavings in. We've only ever done a full clean out twice but I do regularly rake it and put Stalosan F down. Ours love digging around in the Bedmax.

[sari]

I use Aubiose, try to poo pick daily, and haven't done a full clear yet ( only down 5 weeks) no smell, and amazingly dry and clean looking. The hens love it, despising the dustbath, and using a corner of the WIR, with a deep patch of the aubiose.

[Egluntyne]

Another Aubiose fan here.

[beach chick]

I'm finding it (Aubiose) to be excellent too - although I think I was rather too generous... got 2 bales, which said on pack would do a 12' square loose box (horse). so I put it all in, but think I could have done with less for the girls - a lesson for next time I guess.

but it absorbs absolutely everything, stays dry - altho we have no tarpaflex as yet - and they seem to really like it.

[Janty]

I use aubiouse as well. My girls love it.

[MarkBevBen]

I got some Aubiose yesterday and so far so good - the girls are having a field day scratching around in it!

[stripeybunny]

Our WIR is on bare soil so we have filled the run with fallen leaves from the garden (I've collected another 3 bags of leaves for when we clear out the run). It seems to work really well, the girls love rummaging around in the leaves and digging in the soil underneath. We have a roof on the run so it doesn't get muddy.