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

[Bex01]

Hi all,

It's been sometime since I last posted here. We've had our beautiful ex-batts for 4 weeks now and we are loving every minute. I've just spent 2 hours this morning cleaning, sterilising, etc our eglu and WIR. Currently our ladies are living in a 12'x4'x4' run with no FR (it took me 4 years to convince hubby to have chooks, the next step may take time!! ) Anyway, the girls have obviously "cleared" the grass out of the run and we are now down to mud, which they enjoy and it seems like they bath in it!! My question is this, I was looking into hardwood chipping the run, but having read a number of posts, it looks like horse bedding is the best way to go. My run is mostly open, I do have a clear tarp to cover when raining, and I plan to have a corregated plastic roof in time, but this leaves a gap around the bottom, can I still use hemcore or equivalent or will it get too wet? Any advise will be most welcome.

[AlisonH]

I use Hemcore - one of the horse bedding chippings, and mine now needs renewing after having it down for about 3 months. It seems really good and dries out quickly after rain, especially if you rake it over. I currently use it in a 2 metre run and have a clear cover on wet days but it seems very good. The poo seems to dissolve away quickly into it and it composts down really quickly as I use it in the coop as well the put it in the compost bin. I'll be interested to see how it performs over the Autumn/ Winter but it was recommended to me by a friend who had tried lots of products and she says the horse bedding works the best.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I use Easibed or Hemcore and have a corrugated plastic roof on my WIR with the sides open most of the year. I just cover them up when the wind/rain gets bad over the winter.

 

I agree with Alison, it's great stuff and dries up very quickly but in the winter when the temperature drops and it won't dry out so quickly, it helps to have some shelter on the sides.

[Bex01]

Hi there,

Thanks for your advise. I live very close to G J Titmuss and they stock equine bedding, but neither Hemcore or Easibed, they have either Auboise hemp or Allbed wood fibre, are either of these any good. Is it really just a matter of choice? Also how thick would you suggest the layer should be? Is it obvious when it should be changed and can it go on the compost? Sorry, question time over

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I've not heard of Allbed but Aubiose is just like Hemcore or Easibed.

 

A good few inches is best, so your girls have plenty to scratch about in and the poops get absorbed! It will be obvious when it needs changing - it lasts a good few months in my experience, especially if you poo pick regularly .

 

And, yes, it composts really well .

 

Just to add, if you're not already using it, Stalosan F is a powdered disinfectant which is really good for sprinkling under bedding.