[pink-chicken]

In our ignorance we layed a lovely bit of turf for our new girls in their larger enclosure. Well needless to say it didn't last long but much fun and chomping was enjoyed by all four ladies. Now it's just a scratched up patch of soil. Any well proven ideas for a good over Winter subsitute would be very welcome. Maybe tree bark, but if so any special kind, as in any types to avoid as it might be harmful? They do love a bit of straw but this is going to get soggy during the long damp Winter.

Jan.

[tode]

Imo the most important is that the floor is well drained, with provision for run-off of heavy rain. 
As you've seen, grass doesn't last long    but looks good while it lasts.

[woodside farm]

Most of my chickens still have grass, but they have very large areas.
A friend of mine with a smaller space uses bark chippings, her pen is covered and she changes it every six months, hosing it down every two weeks.

Michelle xx

[oborne27]

Hi,
Our 3 bantams have bark and a paving slab area (where the food and water is kept - it makes the food area easy to clean).
The best bark that we have found is a small chip, with little wood in it. The one we use is Homebase own. It comes in 60lt bags and is usually on some ort of an offer. The other one that we have had some good success with is J. Arthur Bowers Play Bark.

I have heard that rubber chips are good but haven't tried them.

I hope this helps

[pink-chicken]

Thank you 'Tode' I'll remember that as it's important with the amount of rain we get here. Will talk over with the digger in the family and ask him to possibly make the patch higher at its centre giving more run off for water. I hate muddy pools as the girls are attracted to them like moths to a flame. Even seem to eat their fair share of soil too but maybe that's normal for hens. Oh yes the poor grass didn't last long at all and a lesson learned 

Jan.

[pink-chicken]

Thank you Michelle and Osborne27 and whoops I was typing when your replies came in 

Osborne27, I'll get some of that bark then as it sounds ideal. I imagine very good for attracting crawlies too which the girls love to eat. Thank you too for the tip about rubber bark as every idea that keeps the girls safe and happy is so welcome 

Michelle, again the tree bark sounds fab and an idea of how often to change it and clean it helps so much when new to keeping hens. It the tips that seem obvious, but aren't always, which are as important as any information we gather and thank you  I imagine too that the grass would have a chance of regrowth in a larger area but with our greedy little girls it doesn't stand much chance even though their outer pen is fairly large. Also taken up by coop, dust bathing room etc 

Jan.

[chickenlady]

My run is under two big laurel trees so gets some protection from the rain but it is a mix of soil, large gravel and bark chippings! It never smells (i do lime every 6 months and sprinkle stalosan f down once a month to keep it sweet), doesn't get water logged and the girls love scratching around in it! in fact since adding more bark etc, Roastie my long suffering feather pecker no longer needs her beak ring as she spends so much time scratching around for her food she never gets bored!  

Debbie

[pink-chicken]

Debbie that sounds like a fantastic mix of cover and anything that keeps them happily scratching away has to be good. I will definately add lime and Stalosan f to the shopping list too as our girls certainly produce copious amounts of poop. Sometimes I feel as if I'm scooping all day, be doing it in my dreams soon.  

Jan.

[chickenlady]

I never have to poo pick either as the girls (7 of them) are like mini rotivators! and turn it all over for me! When i lime (get it from garden centres) i shut the girls in the house or let them free range in the garden, rake back all the bark chips and sprinkle the lime on the soil/gravel. i then rake the bark chips back over and hose over thoroughly, leave to dry then let the girls back in the run.

Debbie

[pink-chicken]

Thanks again Debbie  I'm jotting all this down in word (knowing that I might mislay it otherwise) I'd lose my head if it wasn't screwed on lol.  I've been googling for stalosan f and it seems like a mail order job although we do have a huge farm suppliers not far away I might ask if they'll order it in for us.

Jan.

[chickenlady]

Thanks again Debbie  I'm jotting all this down in word (knowing that I might mislay it otherwise) I'd lose my head if it wasn't screwed on lol.  I've been googling for stalosan f and it seems like a mail order job although we do have a huge farm suppliers not far away I might ask if they'll order it in for us.

Jan.

I got my stalosan from my tiny feed/pet shop it is a huge tub (about the size of a big ice cream tub!) and it cost about £15 but it will last for ages and ages! 

Debbie