Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: squidgy on September 28, 2009, 17:52

Title: confused about what to put on the run floor
Post by: squidgy on September 28, 2009, 17:52

I have been told that using bark from a garden center is no good for my hens and that wood chips are best.but i am confused on what type to use hardwood chips or softwood chips? can someone please help me out  :)

Title: Re: confused about what to put on the run floor
Post by: dizzylizzie on September 28, 2009, 18:04

Hi, i use the bark thats on offer in Homeb**e or any other D.I.Y or garden centre. ours have been fine with that, but they also free range in the garden from lunchtime , i dont know what they would be like if they were only in the run :)

Title: Re: confused about what to put on the run floor
Post by: Aunt Sally on September 28, 2009, 18:20

I use bark !  As long as it's play grade it's fine for hens  :D

Title: Re: confused about what to put on the run floor
Post by: janet12000 on September 28, 2009, 19:33

Hi squidgy.
Mine have Lidl bark chippings and they are ok! :D

Title: Re: confused about what to put on the run floor
Post by: grumpydad on September 28, 2009, 19:40

play bark is better as it is generally free from any treatments.
wood chip will last longer, but as per a thread on the practical poultry website, it can run the risk of bringing in mites, either one will be better with the roof to the run covered to keep it dry, and easier to keep clean, i sprinkle with stanoslan f every week and rake it in, poop scoop what you can.

martyn

Title: Re: confused about what to put on the run floor
Post by: squidgy on September 29, 2009, 09:45

might sound a silly question but what is stanoslan f and where can i get if from ?

Title: Re: confused about what to put on the run floor
Post by: Roll Roll on September 29, 2009, 16:32

Ours are on slabs with cushion bed on top. they have a dirt area as well just for a change of texture. This is as well as free ranging.

Title: Re: confused about what to put on the run floor
Post by: grumpydad on September 29, 2009, 21:27

stanoslan f is a disinfectant powder, and vikron s is a bacterial liquid disinfectant, and good online poultry store, or good farm-equine store should sell them

Title: Re: confused about what to put on the run floor
Post by: parsleypig on September 30, 2009, 10:11

We hired a big shredder last year as we had tonnes of pruning to do.  It created two huge piles which we have used in the run over the bare soil.  The girls loved spreading it out for us and we don't have any problems with flies or smells it all seems to compost down.

This winter I will probably scrape it all out, have a bonfire and burn the old stuff a put down some more.