Guest Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 hi guys, our inside run is easy enough to maintain as it's got hemcore directly on top of concrete slabs but the outside run has bark chippings over soil. What's the best way to keep the outside run well maintained and fresh? Would removing the bark, digging it over and putting in fresh bark once a month be okay or is there something else we should do? Moving the run isn't an option. adding a pic just in case there's someone on the forum that hasn't seen it yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 Every once in a while you may need to dig out all the old chippings (use as a mulch on the borders), and dig some garden lime into the soil. That freshens the soil and (I think) neutralises the effects of the dropping build up. (use garden lime, NOT builders lime which is caustic). Stick some fresh chippings down and away you go! The lime is harmless to the chickens so they can go straight back in when done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 Every once in a while you may need to dig out all the old chippings (use as a mulch on the borders), and dig some garden lime into the soil. That freshens the soil and (I think) neutralises the effects of the dropping build up. (use garden lime, NOT builders lime which is caustic). Stick some fresh chippings down and away you go! The lime is harmless to the chickens so they can go straight back in when done. hi snowy, how often would you think this needs to be done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 (edited) I do mine twice a year Poet. I also sprinkle Staloslan F around onto the wood chips,when I remember. My hen pen is pretty big though,& the wood chip is really deep. I would do it more often if it was smaller. Edited October 21, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 we do a full run removal once a month (we use hemcore in the run) on a weekly basis the top layer is removed and replaced with fresh. but as i say once a month both runs contents are removed and replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 okay, what do you think to every 3 months? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 maybe play it by ear Poet? You'll know yourself when it looks/smells appropriate to clean it. anything from 1 - 3 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 My run has been up nearly 2 months and I can tell it really needs doing now, BUT it is open to the elements which makes it far worse. I'm in the process of putting a roof on so it will stay a lot dryer and I hope it will last 3 - 6 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 yes keeping it dry is the key. stops it going all mushy and smelly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 so we'll play it by nose (as opposed to ear) then? touch wood, it's pretty sheltered and doesn't seem to get wet. again, thanks for the advice xxx so, that's stalo-whasit and garden lime for the shopping list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 I think your run/house is great, because you have it roofed and it has open sides - therefore you'll stop the rain, but it will still have air circulating through it! excellent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 I think your run/house is great, because you have it roofed and it has open sides - therefore you'll stop the rain, but it will still have air circulating through it! excellent! cheers Chelsea but all the credit for that goes to my darling hubbie, I'll tell him what you said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
