The Poultry Keeper

Chuckie Chick · Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 49

Hi every one
My outside run is still like a quad mire. I'm going to put some gravel down where I walk but want to leave the rest as mud for the chucks to forage in. The problem is it stinks real bad when it rains. I dig it over, but the soil smells sour. Any one know if i could get any thing to freshen the soil or any tips from any one with the same problem. Thanks in advance

Hen-Gen · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject:

This is a problem where space is restricted. Soil can be limed to sweeten it but it is still full of bacteria and other pathogens.
Better than gravel is a good layer of wood chip which last for ages and can be raked over from time to time.

Chuckie Chick · Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 49

Wood chip sounds good Where can I get it from?

Hen-Gen · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 3:45 pm Post subject:

Don't know where you live but it is available from professional gardener types who use it as a mulch. Note, though, not bark chip which is something different and is inferior.
The ads in your local paper should throw up some sources.

jessjess · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 218 Location: Derbyshire

I got my woodchip from a local tree surgeon. Gave him a ring and got a truck load for £30.

Stujan · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 465 Location: East Sussex

I got fed up paying for wood chips and bought a Ryobi shredder, although it cost just under £100 it has been a wonder addition to the garden tool collection . If you have lots of bushes or trees that need thinning etc it will pay for itself in a month or two! It takes branches up to 40mm thick and fills bucket after bucket with home made chips , We have pathed all over the garden with the chippings and the chooks love scratching through fresh loads too . It mulches all your kitchen organic stuff too so makes a great tool to make a compost heap with as well .If you shred fir tree or pine branches they have a antiseptic property anyway and they smell good too . It was from a ebay company called Buyatool, lets see if I can find it ........

http://www.buyatool.co.uk/acatalog/Other_Gardening.html

its the fifth item down .