[Fraggle]

We've had our 4 chickens 5 weeks now.
The run is covered and because of the recent dry weather the outside run has become so dry and dusty. The chickens seem happy and love it, but when I sweep out the "Poop", im also taking a layer of the soil/dust away, I can't keep this up forever, so now considering putting a layer of something on the ground...any suggestions?

I can't lay turf, it wont grow because of large trees around coop. I have read Hemcore is good? How oftain would I need to change it? Does it blow around in the wind like shavings and straw?
 

[JaK]

I can't get Hemcore here so instead I bought Miscanthus. So far the Miscanthus has been great stuff to use for the outside part of the run and like you say it really does aid the cleaning out. Our large run will also have a layer of this put down once it's in use.

[daisy1990]

We use Hemcore for our hens and rabbits.  It smells good and keeps clean and doesn't have spores that can cause respiratory problems in some hens.  We poo pick twice a week and change the hemcore completely every week.  It composts down but slowly

[Fraggle]

Just been to my local store, they can't get hold of Hemcore, but they do stock Rapport...anybody tried that?

[JaK]

Not heard of it before but it sounds ok. Found this link-
http://www.hemcore.co.uk/rapport.php

[darkbrowneggs]

Just been to my local store, they can't get hold of Hemcore, but they do stock Rapport...anybody tried that?

Yes - I used to use Hemcore for quite a few years, but Rapport is just as good and a bit cheaper round here, plus it is easily available.  I like it and wouldn't change back now

All the best
Sue

Don't know how Rapport or Hemcore would perform outdoors in the wet though!

[Honeysuckle]

I've used miscanthus, it's very good in the rain and it dries out really well 

[ManicMum]

Can I add a supplementary question, please?

I saw a hemp-based bedding with added eucalyptus advertised stating it helps to control red mite (current issue: yuk) but I wondered if that would taint the eggs as it does smell pretty powerful in human cold remedies.

Has anyone tried it or have opinions - yes, we've all got opinions which are always helpful?

We've tried hemp-based and woodshavings - both perform similarly in the coop (not the run) but we've not been going long enough to comment re which rots down quicker.

[darkbrowneggs]

Shavings definitely take longer to rot down, and they rob the soil of nitrogen so if you want to use on the garden they are a bad idea.