The Poultry Keeper

JENCASS · Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 17 Location: Birmingham

We move our (very heavy!) coop every week to a new patch of grass. This is purely for the chickens benefit as I hated seeing them wading through mud. Am I right in thinking that we do not need to keep moving it and can put something over the mud to make it less messy, such as wood shaving. We do intend to build a permanent home for them eventually at the bottom of the garden which will enable us to get more chickens.

Lisa · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:41 pm Post subject:

A lot of people use woodchips (not bark chips as we are told these can harbour mould spores that could make the chooks ill). A good layer keeps the mud away and gives the chooks something to scratch around in to keep busy - especially if you scatter some scratch feed over it.

You would need to change them, but not very often - I'm sure someone who actually uses them will be along soon to add the voice of experience.

Some people, me included, use straw in my run outside. It needs changing more often, which is a chore, but I choose to use it because it rots down quicker for my allotment.

If you put a layer of anything down in their run, it might be worth adding a board along the bottom edge (if you can) so its difficult for them to kick the bits out onto the rest of the lawn.

NannyP · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:47 pm Post subject:

Lisa, I put straw down and I leave it? Then I just add some more? Since they're not in there all the time I guess this is okay? Maybe if they were in there cr***ing all day I might have to change it.
Very Happy

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I used wood chips ~ they were quite chunky ones. I would say they lasted well for about a year and were then put around the garden, in order to put new ones in the girls' run.
I also found the kicking the chips about a problem ~ so stapled a 12" high piece of polythene all around the base of the rum ~ kept the chips in and a bit of the wind out ~ for the smaller girls.
I also put the drinker on a couple of house bricks, to try to stop them from putting all the chips in there too ~ messy girls ~ but very lovely all the same!

nigel · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:02 pm Post subject:

I use wood chip (I find bark chips go soggy and break down too quickly) they do need replacing but only after 3-4 months when they go on the compost heap.

jooles · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:00 am Post subject:

I use wood chips - on top of an earth/sand base. I just put in a new layer at the weekend because the last lot seemed to have disappeared Shocked

Either broken down, kicked out or mixed in with the sand. I haven't needed to remove any as yet but it's only been down for a couple of months. Keeps them occupied for ages though - I just put a mound in the middle of the run and sprinkle some handfuls of corn about and the chooks do the rest! Very Happy

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I never thought of the do it yourself approach to spreading them, Jooles. Excellent idea. I have to be honest though it was my grand children who spread mine

jooles · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 5:34 pm Post subject:

I left it initially because they thought this mound of dark wood chippings was a monster coming to get them so I only spread it a little trying not to frighten them too much. They were tiptoeing around it, so I threw some corn on top of it and they soon forgot the monster and were scratching away like mad! Very Happy

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

jooles · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 7:48 pm Post subject:

madslg · Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 298 Location: Farnham

If they did as good a job on that as mine did on my compost heap then it must be good Rolling Eyes

My compost heap of over a years standing soon ended up all over my garden! Laughing

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

skye girl · Joined: 27 Aug 2005 Posts: 638 Location: Isle of skye

Thanks,that's me sorted, I have been wondering what to put in the pens they are just starting to go muddy, I will do them next week

poultry poofs · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 4:07 am Post subject:

We use saw dust and woodyard shavings but we do have access to tons of the stuff for free, it keeps the runs mud free the birds clean, dry and tidy and it breaks down and the birds love to dig around in it and not get filthy.In the dry its great for dust bathing in, well the chooks like it anyway! The poo dries out and breaks down so much quicker than on earth and it doesnt ever smell.A weekly top up of fresh sawdust freshens it all up and gives the girls something to get busy with,we never have to spread it they do a great job of that Laughing

Everything else we have used has always caused problems one way or another.

rich

mojo · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 10:26 am Post subject:

the trouble with all these materials is getting a constant supply at a sensible price.....have seen a breeder using pea gravel he reckons 3 inchs of cover lasts over a year may give that a try