StephenW Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 Hi Guys, Looking for your advice, my chicken pen is in gutters at the minute with all the rain, we have tried bags of bark but with more rain it just becomes squidgy again. Any advice would be much appreciated. Many Thanks Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 Hi Steve, Hardwood Wood Chip is great stuff if you put a good thick layer down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Yes, go for woodchip, not bark. We are about to have a large sycamore tree cut down and that should give us lots of lovely woodchip for our paths. Does anyone know if there are any types of tree where the woodchips are not good for chickens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolly Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Try looking at Newland Poultry website, they have a section on managing mud in chicken runs, there's a link to it from their homepage. See www.newlandgrange.com. It's a lovely place, our girls go there for their holidays too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Oh I like Newland Poultry too. I've not been there but I get all my Garvo from there are they do it for doves as well as chickens. The lady who I talk to on the phone is always just so nice and helpful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenW Posted February 11, 2013 Author Share Posted February 11, 2013 Ok thanks guys for your help, have put done a bit of straw which hopefully will absorb some of the water then I can bin it then put down some chips. Thanks again Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 I'm using straw in exposed runs and woodshavings in more sheltered ones. Its a mess to s"Ooops, word censored!"e back out again but I think in weather like this its about damage limitation and anything that keeps their feet dry for at least some of the time is good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Just read an excellent article in Practicle Poultry's Feb issue (page 42-44)about using rubber shavings. Seems there is some good stuff available from Terrasofta Unlike other rubber chippings used for driveways etc. this is used for children's play areas and has no metal content and very little cord.The guy in the article says it works really well as it dries quickly and just needs to be hosed down from time to time to keep it clean, but you do need an undersheet that is absorbant. I found a good one from our local garden centre that didn't cost much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Great link at Newland poultry I can feel a weekend project coming on-if it ever stops raining.Showed it to OH,I am only the manager he groans that will only add about £3 to each egg,but they are cute,the chickens I think he means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Great link at Newland poultry I can feel a weekend project coming on-if it ever stops raining.Showed it to OH,I am only the manager he groans that will only add about £3 to each egg,but they are cute,the chickens I think he means. Anyone who needs it, here's the link Clicky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Just want to add that I have done the 'mud management' that is on the Newland Poultry page and it has been a lifesaver! It really is fantastic And the lady at NP is wonderful and if you aren't sure about something she is always happy to help. I'm having a WIR soon and I will definitely be doing the same method inside the hens' area. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
