Solitary chicken - need advice

[Clairelou]

I have a chicken coop and two warren hens, at the moment they free range our garden. The coop is situated on a stone patio (crazy paving with gravel between). I have just built them a long run with roof. I wanted them to have somewhere to go in the wet weather. And if I am away from home for the whole day I can lock them in and hopefully they will be safe from mr fox. I can't get in the run to pop pick as It's low with a chicken sized door. I use auboise bedding in the coop and I am trying the deep litter technique. So far it's been 4 weeks and it doesn't smell. What's best for the run that won't smell or attract flies. Will the auboise do it? I'm worried that in the spring & summer it will attract tons of flies and start to pong.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome . Any horse bedding will be fine - as long as it's under cover it tends to stay fairly dry and shouldn't smell as long as you poo pick. You can put down powdered disinfectant to keep any nasties and smells at bay. I've never had a problem with flies .

[Clairelou]

Hello See that's my problem, I can't get in to poo pick. It's pretty heavy. I can detach it every once in a while to replace flooring but not regularly as it's about 2.5m long x 1m wide & 1m high. Do you think the poo will just compost?

[atsw]

The poo will 'disappear' into the horse bedding. As long as it doesn't get too wet, or stay wet for a long time, the poo dries out and turns to dust. I don't poo-pick my run (15 x 6). I usually have between 12 and 15 birds, the WIR can go for around 3 months before needing a complete clear out and re-fresh. If the rain does get in and things get soggy I add an extra layer of Aubiose and that soaks up the worst of it. A new thin layer of Aubiose also acts to reduces the chance of smells and helps keep flies under control in Summer months.

 

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

 

Andrew