Take part in study on PFAS 'forever chemicals' in eggs

[SteveC]

New WIR with an earth base and an onduline roof - what do I put down on the floor to keep things low maintenance, not smelly and give the girls something to scratch around in?

 

I'm torn between Aubiose and Wood Chips and have seen loads of comments on the forums about each but can't find any pros / cons for the two alternatives as a direct comparison.

 

Once I go for one, I'll end up sticking with it I'm sure - just can't decide which one to use!

 

Help please!

[Jools]

On earth, I'd go for woodchip as aubiose will wick up the moisture from the soil. Woodchip will too, but not so effectively. Alternatively, go for aubiose but change it more often. That doesn't really help does it!!

[furball]

We flagged the base and now use auboise. It is easier to rake/sweep out and can be hosed off. We found because it was so much easier it got cleaned more often and also smells less.

[Tweety]

I have wood chip in my roofless WIR and it has been great. I just give it a good raking over every now and then, and sprinkle some Stalosan or Biodri on it, and it keeps what was a very muddy patch of ground pretty dry.

 

Unless you are going to cover the sides of your run, the floor will get wet even with a roof, so I would think wood chip is a better bet than Aubiose.

[Cinnamon]

I have had 2 pens,both on soil & have used both woodchip & Aubiose,& I can say that Aubiose wins hands down,every time.

It wicking up the moisture from the soil is a good thing here,as the run is in a damp area,so it keeps it dry. With the hens kicking it about,it stays lovely & dry almost all of the time.

Its brilliant stuff,perfect for soil based runs,& I would never go back to woodchip.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I have an earth base with corrugated plastic roof and have used both Hemcore and Easibed. Both brilliant. In the winter things can get slightly damp round the edges (as I'm sure any bedding would) but it dries out well once the rain stops.

 

I'm not sure if you ever have to replace the woodchip but another point to consider is that Easibed etc compost well whereas I don't imagine woodchip would.

[Henergy]

Interesting - I keep changing my mind too - I think I'm going to go for Aubiose for a probably daft reason - I think I'd be wanting to poo pick & I think it'll be hard to see the poo on the woodchip

 

Of course this is in my 'fictional' WIR as it hasn't been built yet

 

Any pictures of yours ? And where did you get it ?

[SteveC]

Pictures of mine now available on a new thread!

[bouldercroft]

I used woodchip in my run through the winter and then used the old woodchip as mulch on my herb garden

[Plum]

I think with your run and being exposed on the sides I'd use softer playground woodchips. Its more forgiving than the hardwood woodchip and has insects for them to search out. It won't be destroyed by the rain and moisture from the soil. You can replace it each 3-4 months if you want and chuck some stalosan or lime down on the soil to keep it sweet.

 

Or try different each time like I do I change the flooring every 3 months mid worming.

[SteveC]

Hmm - still don't know what to do.

 

The run is roofed but open sided although actually the whole area is sheltered so not too wet (trees and a huge hedge protect from the prevailing wind / rain direction). The internal skirt frame will have the disadvantage of making digging out more difficult too!

 

Torn whether to go for:

 

Aubiose for the easier cleanout / composting, moisture wicking

Woodchip being harder wearing and less problematic if damp but harder to cleanout

 

AAARRRGGGHHH - What to do!

[Tweety]

I don't think that wood chip is any harder to clean out than Aubiose. In fact, if you get the woodchip from Flytesofancy, which is what I have, I think it would be easier because it is chunkier and easier to rake.

 

The only advantage to Aubiose is that it composts well, but you could always use wood chip as a mulch in the garden.