Nacktschnecken omlet Cube

[Margaret]

Hi All,

 

Need some advice please, have used Aubiose for the last 4 years and love it, but am thinking of changing to Bark for the winter, my reasons being..

Once it looks a bit dirty I have the urge to clean it all out, normally about every 4 weeks, so hard work during the winter, especially as I work full time so hard to get the weather and my timing together!!

A friend uses bark and has just confirmed that they only do it every 6 months, so heaven for the winter months.

Run is fully covered and a solid concrete base.

Any thoughts would be gratefully received.

Also where do I buy it, i assume B&Q.

Many thanks.

[kentuckyfried]

Hi All,

 

Need some advice please, have used Aubiose for the last 4 years and love it, but am thinking of changing to Bark for the winter, my reasons being..

Once it looks a bit dirty I have the urge to clean it all out, normally about every 4 weeks, so hard work during the winter, especially as I work full time so hard to get the weather and my timing together!!

A friend uses bark and has just confirmed that they only do it every 6 months, so heaven for the winter months.

Run is fully covered and a solid concrete base.

Any thoughts would be gratefully received.

Also where do I buy it, i assume B&Q.

Many thanks.

 

I would go for softwood chips rather than barks- bark can be full of all sorts of spores and nasties

 

We changed to chips a month ago- need to top it up now. Smell is non existant, seems nicer for the girls too, makes their run more exciting as they root around in it.

[merlina]

Have also seen some very unpleasant scare stories about bark (not used it myself and wouldn't after what I've read)

 

An acquaintance has just installed rubber chips bought from ebay. They don't look as nice, but seem very practical and the chooks seem to like them

[Margaret]

Thanks merlina,

Started on Rubber Chippings many years ago and found them terrible, not only expensive but really stank after a few months. So wont try that again

[merlina]

Thanks merlina,

Started on Rubber Chippings many years ago and found them terrible, not only expensive but really stank after a few months. So wont try that again

 

oops - won't be telling my colleague that!

[counturchickens]

We use wood chip rather than bark, change it every few months or so. I sprinkle bio dry or netted every week, but otherwise low maintenance. Works for us!

[heth1986]

Another thumbs up for woodchip here. Try to get hardwood chip rather than softwood, it soaks up less water, dries quicker, lasts longer, and the poo ill just run though it. If you get in touch with a local tree surgeon, he will probably deliver you a load for free!

[LottyJ1]

We get our hard wood chip from a local tree surgeon for £20 a tonne.

There is a topic on here where people have listed suppliers.

[Margaret]

Thank you all for your replies, have gone ahead and ordered some from Hens for pets.

Did contact a tree surgeon but couldnt have it left on drive whilst I was a work, shame but do need it in bags, so delivery should be on monday.

[Lewis]

For those who use wood chip, is your run straight onto grass/earth or concrete/slabs?

 

Thinking I could use wood chip so has to be cleaned out less while am at Uni this winter but not sure how it'd work as our run is on a big concrete slab!

[kentuckyfried]

We have our classics and runs on slabs with woodchips on the top- seems fine If anything it is easier as it is then really really easy to sweep out.

[LottyJ1]

We have ours on earth and that also works so I think it would be fine on either - I do a total clean out every six months and get more in and weekly just sprinkle salosan down. Works well

 

I think I would prefer slabs or concrete if starting from scratch again as it could also be hosed down and you wouldn't have the slow build up of poo

[Lewis]

The only thing I thought was the poo wouldn't be able to go anywhere, would just sit on the concrete underneath instead of being able to soak into the soil?

 

May give it a try!

[Cheeky Chooky]

We've had our Hardwood Wood Chip from Flyte so Fancy for almost a year and it's still going strong The run is completely covered with clear tarpaulins and the wood chip is on bare earth. I've now done the same for the ducks and will see how that goes

[clucker1]

We have had our chickens on deep hardwood chips for over a year now. Thought I might have had to change it, but it is still going strong. Clean it with nettex ground sanitiser, OH digs it over when the girls rearranging has meant they can no longer reach their glugs or grubs. Apart from that, it is brilliant, especially watching the girls digging!