2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[chris170284]

evening all,i started my hens on grass but that didnt last long as my coop is static i was thinking about using wood chip but delivery to the north of scotland is expensive,ive been looking for alternatives rubber chips (again expensive delivery) then i came accross a product called hemcore its used as horse bedding is very absorbent and i can buy it locally but im not so sure it would be ideal for outdoor use so i had a look on the forums and there are people who use it for there run it say its great does anyone on here use it,also i was planning using a weed control membrene under what ever i choose to use but im seeing that some people use concrete.i dont know what to do now looking for some input from those who have used either method what are the pros and cons of both thanks

[good_egg]

I wouldn't use he core outside, it'll go quite soggy. I got wood chip from flyte so fancy; delivery was expensive but couldn't find an alternative. There are a couple of online companies that do bulk order so might try them next time! B&Q uses to do hardwood chips but don't anymore, but some people use softwood (undied) which would be less absorbent than the hemcore.... Just don't use bark cos of the mould spores.

 

Membrane wise, I started off with this, but the girls have almost completely dug it up!! I would recommend the method Mrs_B references on here with garden mesh over and take it outside the run so they can't get into the corners - have a look at her recent post in "eglus, cubes and runs" (or similar). I'm thinking of moving to slabs for my WIR so can sweep out easier.

 

Let us know what you do and how it works out.

[Grandmashazzie]

Someone mentioned previously about buying woodchipdirect from a tree surgeon,would that be possible.I am going to try that in spring when I move WIR.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Hemcore is great but I've only used it under cover. It is very absorbent, as you say, so probably wouldn't work too well outdoors. Might be ok over the summer (if it's not too wet, that is!).

Edited March 13, 2013 by Guest

[chris170284]

yeah i thought it would be no good outside,ill have a look for some wood chip from tree surgeon,should i use concrete base or weed membrene under the chips with the membrene im worried after time bad smells will soak into the soil

[counturchickens]

We use wood chip on concrete. I've currently got some from a tree surgeon, and that actually seems better than the hard wood chip. Either way, we change it every few months and use the old stuff on the garden. I take it over every week and use bio dry.

[sparkysmum]

I use hemcore or bedmax or similar in their WIR and free or very cheap tree surgeon woodchips in their outside, uncovered area. The outside uncovered area is about 1/3 of the garden and has plenty of mature shrubs and other vegetation to peck around. the woodchips go directly onto the soil. It is always fairly sanitary and rarely boggy or slippy. having said that they are never confined for long - one day I will have to try much harder