Solitary chicken - need advice

[gizmo_geezers]

I am after some advice; I used to have bark chippings in the floor of my chicken run but was told by a chicken farmer that I should not use it as it will harbor germs.

 

They suggested that I use shingle, the hens can still scratch around in this, it’s easy to wash down and won’t harbor germs.

 

Since changing this about 3 months ago our bantams have not laid a single egg. I know that this time of the year their laying rate will go down but I would have thought that they should have laid something in that time.

 

Do you think that it is the shingle that is putting them off? If so, what’s the best flooring for their walk-in pen.

 

Thanks

[Chickabee]

I doubt that the change of flooring would put them off. Have they been wormed and checked for mites and lice? It is true that bark can harbor some nasty spores, and in my opinion it's not the best floor covering. I have 3 different types of flooring for each of my runs/enclosures. As long as they can scratch and obviously have an endless supply of pellets/ mash (greedy little things). Also oyster she'll and grit, they should be fine. I'm sure you already know all this, sorry . I can't think of a reason why all of them would have stopped laying for 3 months. It's only just started getting colder and darker. Hope you get to the bottom of it soon

[gavclojak]

I understand bark can hold spores but what about wood chip's from a tree surgeon? They are not the same as bark and they are perfectly fine and make poop picking easy too.

 

Find a tree surgeon who may give you a massive amount for next to nothing.....happy days x

[chuckmum6]

Mine had wood chip on top of pea gravel, it is now pea gravel with a touch of wood chip as it has all been turned by the girls! They certainly are happy with the mix and make craters all over with their vigorous digging.

[Patricia W]

If they are pure breed bantams they will have stopped for the winter. I don't get eggs from mine between the end of September and mid February. They usually start again about Valentine's day.

 

As for the floor of the run, I cover mine and use aubiose.

[Chickabee]

I phoned a tree surgeon thinking that I could get a supply of wood chip, he advised me against it. Said you can have the same problem with spores