Henergy Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 The WIR is being planned & we have decided where etc to put it. We'll be having a solid concrete floor & so it will be woodchip I think. My worry is that I'll be forever changing it and it will be expensive. I only have two chickens but they poo for England and by the time the run is complete I'm hoping I will have sneaked in another 2 ! So I guess I'm looking for your ideas on routine - I will poo pick each couple of days but there is always small bits that get missed or the sloppy ones. I'm a bit worried about smell as the WIR will be right next to my neighbours fence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 Hi, Quite new to this, but started off with run on softwood chips last year, various free and cheap sources ( tree surgeons, shredded things from the garden), but have changed to hard wood chippings, which are more expensive but seem to last longer. I reckon we will change chips every 6 months, but I started a thread a few weeks ago (how often do you change wood chip) and a few people leave it longer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 I find a sprinkle of BioDri powder disinfectant now and again works well with the wood chips. Also bokashi bran in their feed help them be a little less wiffy. (Doesn't stop the curry poo poops though.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 I use Bark Chips - I tend to replace them monthly to prevent if becoming whiffy, plus the poor girls have to peck for food in all of that poo - it's best to clean out regularly for the sake of the hens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teacake Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 what about bedmax or something else aborbent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 Bedmax is pretty good I have a couple of runs with woodchip in - one is over two years old and the woodchip is the same age and looks fine! If you leave any bedding down for a while then ensure you worm your chooks regularly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henergy Posted May 15, 2011 Author Share Posted May 15, 2011 do you all rake it or poo pick then ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctors girls Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 i poo pick through out the week then at the weekends its 1 poo pick 2 rake 3 stalosan 4 rake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow_Warren Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 i poo pick through out the week then at the weekends its 1 poo pick 2 rake 3 stalosan 4 rake I do much the same, but have a: 2a - hose Used hard wood chips from B&Q, seemed to last really well... Hannah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctors girls Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 i poo pick through out the week then at the weekends its 1 poo pick 2 rake 3 stalosan 4 rake I do much the same, but have a: 2a - hose Used hard wood chips from B&Q, seemed to last really well... Hannah forgot about the water bit i dont use a hose just a watering can but i am with you with the hardwood chips from b&q Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 silly question from someone still considering keeping chooks - how do you 'poo pick' ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 A small shovel or a gloved hand is best. It takes seconds and really does keep the run clean, meaning less aggro when the 'major' clean is needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 I flick it into a dustpan with a trowel and rake the run, only takes minutes each day:D Stalosan F is another product to sprinkle which kills baddies and eggs and makes it smell good. Use weekly and when litter changed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimmyCustard Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 I try to poo pick daily too, I use Aubiose in the Cube, it seems to clump like cat litter so its easy with a gloved hand to grab and fling into a bucket, even the sloppy plops. Keeps the smell down and no flies either. I Stalosan F under the newspaper then Aubiose on top and Diatom in the nest box too. No mites or lice as yet - fingers crossed!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
