Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[auntielizzie]

Since I first got my girls in March I used Easibed (similar to Unibed). I really liked this product and used it in the run as well as in the nesting boxes. However, I have seen on the forum that many many people swear by Aubioise and I have also met one of two people with chickens who use Aubiose and recommended it. So, last time I needed supplies I picked up some Aubiose.

 

Initially I wasn't sure about it and I think in general I still prefer the Easibed. Anyway, I have persevered with the Aubioise since I have got such a big bag of it and thought maybe I wasn't using enough in the run. Today I cleaned out the run and put a thicker layer of Aubioise in it. Now the girls are rolling about in it using it as a dustbath

 

Just wondered what others felt and what preferences people have.

 

I think the Aubioise works well in the nest boxes though; I put in a layer of woodshavings, then a layer of Aubioise and then a nice thick layer of Easibed on the top, so very comfy and very absorbant.

[squiffs]

I use barley straw in my nest box and woodchip in my run. The chooks love the straw, and dig about in the woodchip to dustbathe. It's less than £5 a bag for woodchip and about £3 for straw. For my budget it's perfect and the chickens like it too so I don't see any point in spending more out on horse bedding.

[KimmyCustard]

I use Aubiose, it lasts ages, especially as I try to poo pick every day, it smells good and is easy to clear out! It smells of eucalyptus so keeps flies down. It was about £8 a bag and this is the first one I've bought since getting the girls, which was in March, half way through a bag now! I didnt want to use straw cos of red mite and the run is soil, so nothing needed there.

[Plum]

I use different every time. Just cleaned the Aubiose out and put easibed down again. I think I'll tread less of it around the garden and house when it's wet.

 

They all work well

[Lavenders_Blue]

I use barley straw for the nest boxes too. It's nicer than wheat straw - much softer - and the hens really like it. I used to use woodshavings for the nest boxes but when it got really really cold over the winter, I bought some straw to try and insulate the coop a bit and keep them warmer. The result was that the hens (well, the ones that were laying at the time anyway) started ignoring the nest boxes and laid their eggs in the straw on the floor of the coop instead I switched to using straw in the nest boxes after that - they had shown me what they preferred loud and clear!

[mart2584]

I have just bought my first bag of Aubiose this weekend.

I like the smell and it is easy to pick the poo out.I am also putting it in the bottom tray just as an experiment,

I used to put paper in the tray but it always got stuck this is easier i just pull it out and tip it all into the composter simples!!

[percy049]

We use aubiose in the nest box and droppings tray - it makes it so easy to clean out the droppings tray, as all the poo and aubiose just slides out! And, it lasts forever!

[Farmer Don]

I currently use aubiose, or similar when it isn't available, in the chicken house and wood chip in the run. The thing that worries me about aubiose over the whole run, especially on top of slabs, is that although it is easier to clean doesn't it limit the chickens fun? Mine scratch around all day in the wood chip picking up bugs and then dustbathing in the soil underneath - can they still do this in aubiose and are there bugs in it?

[Florence]

WE use aubiose in the house and wood chip on the floor,does the aubiose not go mushy etc if it gets wet?