Part 0800.0005

[Clucky the Great]

I have a cube with a 4m covered run. I have dug up the lawn and put down polypropelene and weed proof matting. The general consensus is either autobiose or wood chip. I cannot seem to find anywhere local that supplies wood chips without bark or autobiose. But I have somewhere that sells wood shavings for horse bedding. Would this work? If poopicked and changed every couple/few months. I am new to chicken keepimg so have no idea! Thanks Clucky

[jimnpaula]

Umm, it's "Aubiose". Sorry if you knew that, but if you're searching for autobiose then you'll definitely have trouble finding it! I don't know if wood shavings would last that long, I've never used them, but see what other horse bedding the place has as there are several hemp based Aubiose-like products, there's also a chopped oilseed rape straw called Rapport, and Comfybed which is chipped wood. Mine currently have Aubiose in the run and Rapport in the nestboxes and poo trays.

[Chickabee]

I've used horse bedding before. In my WIR I use paving slabs and I'll put anything on it. At the moment I've got flaxcore. I've also used Aubiouse, horse bedding and chopped straw.

 

In my smaller run I have a membrane with a layer of sharp sand and aubiose on top, this seems to work really well. I think there are other brands that are made from hemp, just ask the shop where you were getting your horse bedding. The best thing about hemp or straw based products is that they do biodegrade. I put mine in my garden waste bin, some areas don't allow this though.

 

I also use bio dry

 

I've tried bark, but I really didn't get on with it

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I use Easibed in my covered run. Great stuff, only about £10 a bale and lasts for ages. I also use Bio-Dry.

[Chickabee]

Oh yes Easi bed is good. I used to use it for my horse

[Grandmashazzie]

I currently have wood shavings in my WIR my impression would be the girls don't like it.They don't spend the same amount of time scratching in that area as they did previously when it had wood chips.They spend most of the time in an open area which has soil (grass ) and some sand.I find the wood shavings get stuck on your soles and tends to get walked into the house.When I clear out I'll try something else.

[AlisonH]

I use maxi bed in the run and hen house, works well and lasts well.

[Eggasperated]

Unfortunately Rapport, Hemcore and Flaxcore are no longer being produced as the company went into administration, so our choices are more limited.

[jimnpaula]

Unfortunately Rapport, Hemcore and Flaxcore are no longer being produced as the company went into administration, so our choices are more limited.

Oh I hadn't realised, my supplier must just still have some in stock then.

[JellyBean2605]

I've used bark chips, they are fairly easy as you just rake them over once a week and when saturated you just pop them on the flower beds! The chickens like the bugs that they attract as well.

[Sandychick]

I use Aubiose in the WIR and hardwood woodchips in the eglu run.

 

 

Aubiose and similar is great if it definitely won't get wet. If it does get wet or damp, it stinks and no longer absorbs the hen poo. My hens definitely prefer scratching about in the woodchips to the Aubiose. Woodchips are brilliant, but sadly really difficult to get hold of in some areas. Tree surgeons apparently are a good option, but I'm not too sure they all know the requirements of chickens (fungus, disease etc) so best to mention it. I'm lucky to have a supplier of bagged play chips nearby, but it's a shame they are so difficult to find.

[JellyBean2605]

Wow! I have run envy! That is an impressive set up!

[Chickabee]

You've only just begun jellybean. Once this bug gets you it's amazing what you're capable of. I do agree though it is amazing

[Clucky the Great]

Ooohh thank you! And I agree...great set up! Also Aint "Ooops, word censored!"ody here was it easichick or easibed? Just worried about it blowing around if its outside thats all? And how often do you change it? Thanks

[Chickabee]

It's not so much the blowing around that's a problem, it's the chooks chucking it around. I've surrounded mine with large logs and border fencing that you get in garden centers. Never had a problem with the wind.

 

You can see I'm obsessed with my hobby. Got another coop for exbats, but they are so messy I'm not showing you theirs.

[Clucky the Great]

Thanks guys and SandyChick and Sonyascott your set ups are both lovely....thanks for the pics! I have decided to do a aubiose/hempcore and sand mix for those of you who have done this did you go half and half or more sand and less hemp or more hemp and less sand? Thanks again i can't wait

[Chickabee]

Can't wait to see your new girls. Please keep in touch

 

BTW - got my sand at Travis Perkins, very cheap. Don't buy playpit sand

Edited December 7, 2013 by Guest

[Chickabee]

I have more sand than aubiose. Probably 3 to1. It keeps remarkably fresh. I do use bio dry too. Somehow the sand keeps sinking to the bottom, magically leaving the aubiose on top

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sorry, bit late replying! It's Easibed that I use. It's not too lightweight so doesn't tend to blow around.

[Clucky the Great]

Thanks again was going to go for easybed but sand and aubiose sounds like a good mix and found a local cheap source of it and I got a local cheap supplier of sharp sand. £25 a tonne so all is good will hopefully have all the bedding down next weekend ready for the chooks to move in on Jan 2nd because I am off away for a few days so don't fancy leaving my family incharge of them when they have no clue! And even though people says chickens don't get bothered by fireworks mum doesnt want to get them before the new years fireworks so gonna get them Jan 2nd! Sooo excited and I will put pics on!

[nin-chicken]

Sorry to butt in but I found this thread whilst searching for something else and noticed that some of you are using a sharp sand/aubiose mix. I've just got sharp sand in my covered omlet run but its so damp at the moment with all the rain blowing in and seeping up from the waterlogged ground that I've got an urge to throw something else in on top. I thought that aubiose had to be kept dry? Or could I put some in my run on top of the sand??? Other option would be putting in some wood chips. What would you think? So sorry to hijack thread!

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