The Poultry Keeper

Ben410 · Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Telford, Shropshire

I've got bark down in my run at the moment and a bit of straw thrown in, and apparently bark is possibly the wrong stuff to have down( although it was recommended in Practical Poultry Magazine). I have seen hemicore mentioned in past posts.

Does anyone know exactly what it is? Also what sort of price ?

The birds in fairness love the bark and are more that happy rooting through it and scratching about, started to panic a bit when I read some past posts

Cheers all

Ben

mojo · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:23 pm Post subject:

people say wood bark when they mean wood chippppings.......bark is not a good idea but chippings work ok..........i personally use gravel in all my runs except the chick one as its easy to stererlize and rake level

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1219 Location: Cornwall

I use gravel too, you can hose it down and keep it clean.

crazypianolady · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 793 Location: Nottinghamshire

Hemcore is made from part of the hemp plant. (Not the type to smoke!!) It's very absorbent with a pleasant smell, and is usually sold as horse bedding. I paid £8.75 for a bale about 3 months ago, and I use in the coops.

I got it from my local animal feed place.

Hope this helps! Smile

Ben410 · Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Telford, Shropshire

cheers all, thanks forr the info, I will have a look at the farm shop by me and will let you know how I get on.

www.woodenart.org.uk · Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 53 Location: shropshire

I popped in to TFM today Ben, didn't see any.

Border Terriers, if Carlsberg made dogs....

Ben410 · Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Telford, Shropshire

thats torn it then as TFM is my usual haunt for all things chickeny!!

Will have to have a look or just go for straw for the minute, will have to wait and see.

Re: Borders ,she is a great dog, I use her as a gun dog and she loves it, and considering she is used to pheasants she is pretty good with the chucks, sits outside and watches ,even so I wouldn't trust her with them free range that would just be too tempting, I like to think she knows her boundaries.

Cheers all

Ben

Elly · Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 356 Location: Norfolk

I use Hemicore and its great stuff Smile

It never seems to get damp and the chikens love it. The smell is lovely and seems to help with flies. I would not go back to using anything else now. It is probably not the cheapest option, but we find it the best one Laughing

If you have a 'horsey' shop near you try there. We get ours from a place we first believd to be mainly horse stuff, only to doscover they sell animal feeds, bedding etc.
Keep smilin
Elly

Ben410 · Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Telford, Shropshire

Thanks for that Elly , good call, I have a friend who lives near to a horsey place and I will try and get him to have a look for some. If not I think I will try the net.

Thanks again all

Ben

Kit · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Warrington, Cheshire

mojo · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:27 pm Post subject:

disinfectant made to makers dilution ......watered on weekly at bed time.......rake level next morning before chooks get out................dettol/savlon are my favorites...........every six months do above using jeyes fluid but dont let chickens walk on it wet

Liseloo1965 · Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Cambridge

I am very new to chicken keeping, only had our girls just over 1 week, we use hemcore found a local supplier just outside us in cambridge who sells at £7.50 per bale, if you search for hemcore distributors you should find supplies local to you.

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1322 Location: Dublin, Ireland

I've just spread hemcore in the coop and outside in an uncovered run. I don't know how it copes with rain but will keep you posted. Smells lovely though as it's citronella-treated.

Yolky · Joined: 16 Aug 2008 Posts: 35

Egirl you really need a covered run for hemcore, it is ok if it gets a little damp but if it gets really wet it goes very smelly.

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1322 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Oh, well I'll keep an eye on it. We had very heavy showers last night, enough to wake me, and I'm delighted that it dried off quickly, much better than the straw I've used previously. Though how it would cope with successive days of rain I will have to see. Shouldn't have to wait long though, being Ireland. We've had more than 450% of normal August rain this year, most in living memory they say!!!