Solitary chicken - need advice

[Justadmin]

Evening all,

 

We've had the hardwood chippings in our WIR for three months at the end of June. Most of it looks okay, but it does seem to have "gone down" and it seems that some of the smaller pieces might have rotted or broken down to make a fine kind of wood dirt. I poo pick twice daily and although inevitably I miss some I do get most of it, so it shouldn't be covered in poo. It doesn't smell unpleasant really, it has a smell to it but I wouldn't say it smelt dirty. The girls seems happy.

 

Should I shovel it all out and replace it as I had originally intended to do or should I just buy another bag or two and put that in on top of the old? Is there a right or wrong answer? Or are both ideas valid?

 

The chippings are on top of paving slabs. Oh and they're sprinkled with nettex powder once a week.

 

Many thanks!

[Grandmashazzie]

We generally clear ours out completely and put on compost and start a fresh.

[mullethunter]

3 months doesn't seem very long. I poo pick once a day and mine have been down for 7 months and look fine. As you say there is some very fine stuff underneath but it doesn't smell. Having said that, mines a covered lo rise run so doesn't get all that wet.

[jasperaliceuk]

Did a woodchip run but using landscaping fabric and plastic mesh underneath. Worked brilliantly and last month after about a year I did a total clear out - taking up the mesh to clear out all the fine stuff underneath - fantastic for the compost. I was utterly surprised to find there was no smell. I do use Bio Dry every week or so to freshen up and try to take out worst of poo. Its not that easy with woodchip without removing half the woodchip.