Unsecure chicken perches

[catherinedon]

Today was animal clean out day, hamster, fish, guinea pigs and chickens. I have just been wondering if i should put some bedding in the classic for my 4 it seems so harsh to sleep on those bars although when I peep in they all look so comfy. Its just the hamster and guinea pigs looked verry snug on their hay.

[migsy]

I have a layer of hemcore under the roosting bars which I assume provides a bit of insulation. They all snuggle together anyway.

[Chicken deficient]

When it was really freezing cold last year, I padded out part of my cube with slices of hay.

This year I'll be padding it out with more chickens

I'd have thought that 4 in a classic should be fine, but I also put bedding under the bars - I think it helps to absorb any dampness too, which would make it feel chilly.

[MarkBevBen]

This year I'll be padding it out with more chickens

 

 

love it CD

 

 

Even though I'm new to chicken ownership, I've noticed they do generate a lot of heat themselves and when I let them out of a morning, the Eglu feels nice and warm

 

I was putting newspaper in their droppings tray until a few days ago, but I didn't realise it'd make them feel damp

 

I got some Aubiose for their run and have also put some in their tray too.

Edited October 31, 2010 by Guest

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I put newspaper in the poop tray but add a layer of bedding on top of it. Keeps things nice and dry and makes the tray easier to clean .

[MarkBevBen]

I put newspaper in the poop tray but add a layer of bedding on top of it. Keeps things nice and dry and makes the tray easier to clean .

 

Oh cool, I'll hang onto all my papers then! I've started keeping them indoors so they don't get damp and stay warm

[catherinedon]

right I think I will be putting down a layer of hay then on top of the newspaper but I was wondering if they needed anything soft on the bars but am probably being daft

[MarkBevBen]

right I think I will be putting down a layer of hay then on top of the newspaper but I was wondering if they needed anything soft on the bars but am probably being daft

 

 

Ours seem to be fine with the bars if that helps

[Egluntyne]

They don't need anything on the bars. In the wild they would roost on branches.

 

Anything put on the bars would get soiled very quickly.

[Ex Bat Ally1]

Hi I'm new to the chicken thing and my ex bats will be arriving next Sat.

 

Ive just ordered from a local farm a bale of shredded corrigated cardboard that other chicken owners use for bedding, a bale of wood pellets that that when wet absorb mositure and expand turning into a highly absorbent bedding. All of these have been dust extracted.

 

And not sure what to put in run?? Its is mainly dirt any ideas??

 

Hopeful all these thing s will be fine.

[migsy]

It depends on whether you run is covered or not. If not covered I would use hardwood chips. If it is covered, then you could you auboise, hemcore or easybed.

[Redwing]

 

Ive just ordered from a local farm a bale of shredded corrigated cardboard that other chicken owners use for bedding, a bale of wood pellets that that when wet absorb mositure and expand turning into a highly absorbent bedding. All of these have been dust extracted.

 

And not sure what to put in run?? Its is mainly dirt any ideas??

 

 

 

Neither of these are suitable for the run

 

The cardboard can be used in nestboxes and the pellets in the bottom of the coop to absorb poo - I love those woodpellets but I use mine as pellets and dont wet them.

 

Woodchip is very useful in a run and if its covered then various horse beddings can be used as mentioned above

 

Regarding the original query hens need to have a good airflow around them so no cover is needed on the bars, if they nestle in bedding rather than roost on the bars (as some of mine do) then they can lose feathers underneath which in itself isnt a problem but if the bedding isnt kept dry they may get sore patches in time

 

Lastly never use hay as a bedding, its not good for chickens as it can cause breathing problems

[Clairey_Fairy]

I have 2 in a classic, and put a sheet newspaper covered in a layer of easibed in the tray, and poo pick the tray daily. The easibed absorbs any moisture and it stays nice and dry. When I looked in tonight both girls were snuggled together at the back, so cute! And the run is covered over the top, and we have it on woodchip. Just got some Stalosan F to sprinkle on once a week tp keep it nice - hopefully!

[stripeybunny]

what do others use in the nestbox? I have some horse bedding which I line the nest box with then add straw on top. OH seems to be allergic to straw so looking for an alternative. The horse bedding doesn't seem soft enough to use alone.

[jill the potter]

I just use wood shavings. I get them from the same place as the wood chippings for the run. I think the make is 'Snowflake' - it's used for horse bedding. It's dust extracted and I've had no complaints so far They both come in a huge bale and cost about £7.50 each. My run is 12 x 6 x 6 and a bale of wood chip will cover the run twice. The wood shavings last forever (apart when I use them for smoke firing pots!!! )

[Powerlady]

I use wood shavings in nest boxes..easy to clean

[migsy]

I use Hemcore in the nest box but I have also used wood chip and Auboise,