fantasticjudyann Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Does anyone put down wood chips on the floor of a WIR with a roof? I've used Aubiose or Hemcore for 4 years and been very pleased with it. But recently I've found a supplier who sells wood chips cheaper than the Hemcore etc. They claim that you can hose it down and use a sanitizer ( as you can with Hemcore ) and that it will last for 6 months before it needs changing. Has anyone any experience of this and most important of all do the chooks like it ? I am going to get three different coloured Orpingtons next month ( very excited ) so will do a big clean out ready for when they arrive. So any advice very welcome. BTW if you hose it down doesn't it get all soggy and does it absorb the poo like the Hemcore? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 I don't use it in a WIR but I have it into cube run. Tried as an experiment after using easibed and bliss. The girls like it fine and it lasts well and doesn't get soggy - big bonus for us as the ground was soggy even if we covered run (prob moving to concrete). Haven't ever hosed down, plan to when I know it won't freeze - think it would work fine as doesn't really absorb rain. Have found much harder to poo pick though as doesn't stick to poo in the same way. Reckon when I get walk in run might be easier as could pick up when fresh golf balls instead of once a week squished! Orpingtons sound fab, enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 How exciting about the orpingtons, what colours are you getting? I have a completely covered WIR and use a deep layer of hardwood chippings which works really well and I do poo pick every day but you do end up with a poo bag with wood chip attached! The girls seem to love it, they happily dig around in it on days whe they are confined, I definately wouldn't hose it down though, this batch has been down nearly six months so due for a change but if you dig down there is a layer of compost like material, a friend has it for her garden. I guess I reality it is composted poo etc but it would be a sludgy mess if you tried to hose it down. I use stalosan weekly raked in to keep it fresh. Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balti Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Stick with Aubiose. I would not use wood chip if you have a covered run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticjudyann Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share Posted March 16, 2013 Thanks mollyripkim good egg, and balti for your comments. I am getting a Buff, a Blue and a Gold Laced Orpington. I have always had hybrids and lovely though they are, they are so difficult to catch when I want to medicate them or take to the vet . So I researched Orps and decided they would be easier to tame and more docile for handling. So, getting them in April,all being well They will join my Speckled Star and Bluebelle. Wish me luck for the introduction period!! It went well last time I did it, so am keeping my fingers crossed. Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Definitely use hardwood wood chip on the floor of your WIR...we use it (the run is covered on the roof and 2 sides) and it works fantastically We also use it in the duck WIR and we hose it down but I agree that it's not a good idea to hose it down for the chooks. My OH bought me 2 LF Jubilee Orpingtons for my recent Birthday They're stunning girls and super friendly...you'll love yours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticjudyann Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share Posted March 16, 2013 Hi cheeky chooky The lady who looked after my two when I went to New Zealand for a month has a Jubillee Orpington- absolutely stunning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Hi Judy I've done some research and read that Jubilee Orpingtons were bred to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria and apparently the darker Mahogany base colour is the traditional 'Jubilee' colour and the lighter more ginger/buff base colour is known as the 'Diamond Jubilee'...we're very lucky to have both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 I wanted an Orpington when I got these girls, but the lady had just given the hen away before I got there. Have always fancied a gold laced - looking forward to pics! This post has got me thinking about floors for our WIR (still in planning).... I was poo picking woodchip today and didn't get nearly as much out as I used to with bliss and easibed which makes me nervous there is lots of poop in there still! But even with a cover up one side and over the top our run still gets rain in and the woodchip was quite wet;the easibed and bliss/nedz needed us to create a kind of poly tunnel to keep them dry.... We are putting down flags to sit run on then was going to start with woodchip and see.... Do let me know what you go for and how it goes.... Cheeky chook - do you have an omlet WIR? Sure I've seen fab pics by you! Do you use linkaboard as a kick plate? If so s it easy to fit and does it work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Hi good_egg, yes, we have Omlet WIRs...love 'em We have Link-a-Bord around all of them which works really well with the Bantams and the Ducks but the Ex-Batts fling their wood chip all over the place and as they're very enthusiastic whilst doing it, it tends to get scattered far and wide That aside, the Link-a-Bord just 'finishes it all off' and looks smart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticjudyann Posted March 17, 2013 Author Share Posted March 17, 2013 Hi good egg Before I had my WIR , when I started out , I had the Go with its run on its own. As a next step I made a wood chip area for it and enclosed that with link a bord as shown on the Omlet web site. I found it really easy to put together and it kept the woodchip inside really well. I don't use it now I've got the WIR but my husband has put it together again and made a vegetable bed for the garden. Good stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
