Mrs

[BethK]

Hi everyone,

 

We're having a WIR built, we're complete beginners and haven't got any Chickens yet.

 

Where the run will go is grass at the moment. We would like to use Aubiose for the flooring.

 

Our question is do you think it would be better to dig up the grass, put slabs down and then Aubiose or would you leave it soil and once the Chickens have cleared the grass, then put Aubiose on top of the soil.

 

We wouldn't be able to slab it at a later date as it's being built around and attached to a tree house so it can't be moved without being dismantled so whatever we decide, we'll have to do before the builders come in.

 

The run will have a roof and a board around the bottom to help prevent spillages.

 

Thanks for you help

[BethK]

I'm having similar thoughts about our WIR. Currently it's just grass, well now mud...

Ideally a slab base and then auboise or similar on top so it's easy to sweep and scoop out. If it's on mud I think the chickens would just turn it in a a mixed mess..

 

Ah yes, maybe it'd end up a big muddy/aubriose mess

[UKMARCH]

Hi, I think if it was me I'd slab it as it will be easier to sweep out with a broom if you have restricted height, soil is good but needs digging over and would be hard if you can't get in to do it I think go for the quickest and easiest option for regular maintenance even if its more work at the beginning. You could always leave a square of soil with an edging to stop aubiose falling in to use as a dust bath.

[BethK]

Thank you, I've now asked our builders to slab the area before putting the run up.

 

Bet the love me keep changing my mind

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I'm probably not going to help you make your mind up .

 

I'd leave it as soil - that's what I have and the girls love digging about in it. It doesn't turn wet and soggy if you have a roof (and you can also put something up at the sides in the winter if you want). I do a very quick poo pick every day and the soil/Easibed stays clean and dry for months . I put a powdered disinfectant down every now and then but otherwise I only dig it out (no harder than sweeping a slabbed floor) and replace the bedding every few months.

 

The only thing you might have to do is break up the soil once your girls have eaten/scratched all the grass - although if it's fairly dry, you may find they manage to scratch and break it all up by themselves!