snowberry Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 Hi, I'm umming & ahhing over what kind of base to put down in my WIR. Slabs are the most practical; however another owner has suggested that I put down gravel as she says it's cheaper. My main concern is that the pekins don't get muddy feet so I guess woodchip is out of the question on an earth base. Is slate ok for chickies feet? If I don't go for the solid base, then I'd still put slabs around the outside as a fox deterrent. btw, the soil is clay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chookiepie Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 Hello, we have a cube/run and eglu/run on rubber grass play mats.The grass is very boggy and doesn't drain very well and the runs became very muddy when it rained. We decided against slabs but needed a base of some kind so we decided to try the rubber grass mats. They keep the grass from becoming a boggy mess by providing a solid base that is covered with wood chips.As the mats have holes this allows water to drain through but gives the hens a drier run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 I had gravel, and it seemed to make the chooks feet sore. Have now removed the gravel ( 1 tonne of it ) and am in the process of laying flags. Expensive mistake , but you learn as you go along . Flags will be easier to keep clean too . Should add that my run has a polycarbonate roof so the weather was never an issue. Knowing what I know now, if I ever move and have to do it again I would go for flags every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctors girls Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 i did mine half slabs and half gravel with hardwood chippings on the top see what you think you could fully slab it at a later date and as for the foxes i also built the mesh through the breeze blocks just waiting for some decent weather to put a roof on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 Slabs work really well,however my base is soil and I have never had any issues with that. The area my run is situated on is wet,so if we had a hard base there may be drainage issues. I don't like the sound of gravel at all How about slabbing the outer perimeter,and leaving the centre as soil? It would fox proof it and give them somewhere to dustbathe. If you measure it cleverly you can always slab the unslabbed bit later if you feel you want to. That is what I would do.....then cover the whole lot in Aubiose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 How about slabbing the outer perimeter,and leaving the centre as soil? That's exactly what I've got and it works really well . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi-Hi Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 That is what I would do.....then cover the whole lot in Aubiose. Hi Cinnamon, how long do you leave the Aubiose before changing it? How thick do you put it on? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 I guess its about 6 inches deep,but it gets mixed in with the soil underneath. We change it just 4 times a year,but it would depend very much on how many hens you have in what sort of area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowberry Posted May 21, 2011 Author Share Posted May 21, 2011 What is the difference between wood chip & Aubiose? The reactions I've got to Aubiose are like those to Marmite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wissywoo1 Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Hi snowberry, just wandering how your WIR from Chris is. I assume it all went ok with the assembling if you're asking what to put in it! I'm going to put woodchip in mine but ours will have a concrete base. I'd love to hear if you're pleased with your run. I've just ordered the 15x6x6 with roof from Chris and can't wait to get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
