Margaret Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 I know this sounds really strange, but laying in the bath this morning at 5am, (as you do ) and thinking Chickeny thoughts (as you do ) and I realised i have had the best winters so far since I started keeping Hens I know this sound daft and I do underrstand that many of you have suffered terrible flooding but here it has been fine. Let me explaine. 5 years ago Eglu on rubber chips and uncovered, terrible smell and grass destroyed. 4 years ago covered WIR terrible problem with rats burrowing, grass destroyed. 3 years ago,moved covered WIR onto concrete,Brought Cube (bliss) new lawn, terrible snow. Last year snow and frost, frozen water, even Karcher froze. This year rain..but doesnt bother me as WIR is covered, use hardwood chip so only clean run out about 3 times a year compared to every few weeks on Auboise. When I was a new hen keeper used to clean house every week (must have been mad), and feeders every day Yes Chicken keeping is great, just need to get a few more hens again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 What a lovely post, glad you have had a good chicken year I have wood chips with a walk in run too and its the best thing I ever did. Grass is looking a bit sad at the moment as the ducks have been dabbling and making muddy patches but hoping some sun when we get it will help. I must admit I was initially mad with cleaning at first too but have relaxed a lot now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 I agree! Even woodchip on concrete got a bit soggy but it has dried out really well when we get a dry moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Congrats I have had chickens for 5 years too Like you I used to clean them often - every other day but they were bigger chooks then and did much bigger poops, not like my pekins now. I'm glad you have enjoyed the winter. It does make things a lot easier when the weather is mild even if it has been very wet. Roll on Spring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 I admit not having frozen water or sliding round on ice has been great but the mud has been dreadful, much of our garden has just been swallowed by mud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted February 28, 2014 Author Share Posted February 28, 2014 When we moved the run we also ran a path to it so no walking on the grass to reach it, also, the are not allowed on the grass during the winter they have a small patch of garden attached to the coverd run and they use this. As I work full time dont see much of the girlies during this time of year so hubby closes the run at dusk and I open it on the way to work. Garden looking pretty good at the moment ( sorry ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 What a lovely, happy post, Margaret Even here, rather close to the Thames, I have to admit that it has been nice for the chooks that things have not been so frozen. Yes they have got wet (just about daily), but I don't have to panic that they will go to bed with frozen heads if I don't get the hair drier out and a dab with a kitchen towel seems to have worked wonders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
