Sooo much pooping

[Mrs Potts]

Hi to you all.

 

Sorry for starting this as a new topic if it isn't! I have read information about bark and hay, aspergillus and mould, respiration problems, etc. but haven't seen anything about woodchip apart from the fact I should be using it.

 

I live in Worcestershire and am having great problems getting woodchip. My usual stockist is out. I have never used bark and my husband is allergic to aspergillus spores, which are everywhere I know, but hay and straw even in an emergency are a complete no-no. I am miles away from B & Q, and see that places like Focus, Homebase and Wickes don't sell it.

 

I have found a really nice tree surgeon who says he can deliver fresh woodchip to me, which is great but - I know nothing at all about woodchip! Is that going to be ok for the hens? I can't say I have noticed that the woodchip I normally get looked or felt particularly old, but I was obviously congratulating myself too much about not using bark too much to ever look into woodchip properly!

 

Any advice much appreciated.

 

Mrs P.

[lillybettybabs]

I guess chemicals would be a worry if you don't know what sort of wood it's from.

Could you ask him?

[Tweety]

I can't answer your question about fresh woodchip I'm afraid, although I assume that it will contain bark, but I can recommend the woodchip supplied by Flytesofancy. Unfortunately, it comes with a hefty delivery charge, but I haven't found anything else anywhere near as good locally, and I must say that it has lasted a long time and has greatly improved the run floor.

[Jools]

Loads of chicken keepers rely on their local tree surgeons for supplies of fresh woodchip for their chook pens. My bantams' winter area is woodchipped and gets topped up with fresh every spring. The only thing I'd caution against is using anything like Yew or Laurel, so just double check with your very nice man what the trees used to be.