Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: bee on August 12, 2009, 17:05

Title: soft wood chip or hard wood chip
Post by: bee on August 12, 2009, 17:05

My chickens are moving to a permanent run and I am having concrete slabs one end for food and water. The rest is soil but I plan to add wood chip. The question is, which is best?  I didn't know till today there were two types. I gather chipped bark is not a good idea, but which of these is preferable? Or should I consider something else. Their run will be covered at the top but rain will blow in from one side that is not next to a fence.

Thanks for any advice.

Title: Re: soft wood chip or hard wood chip
Post by: Foxy on August 13, 2009, 10:09

well I have a mixture of both, hardwood chips then a couple of inches of softwood on top. The soft wood chips I scrape of about twice a year and I find its an excellent fertiliser/mulch :)

Title: Re: soft wood chip or hard wood chip
Post by: bee on August 13, 2009, 11:20

Thanks. That is really helpful. Sounds like what I should go for. Now to find the hard wood chips - they're out of stock at my local B & Q.

Title: Re: soft wood chip or hard wood chip
Post by: grumpydad on August 13, 2009, 21:41

try ringing a local tree surgeon, and ask if he can supply some shreddings, the next time he is in the area, they are usually quite happy to get rid of them, they will have some leaf matter in, but that will rot down quickly, just make sure that it is not yew or laburnum, most of the other hardwoods and softwoods are ok.

martyn

Title: Re: soft wood chip or hard wood chip
Post by: bee on August 14, 2009, 08:39

I know a tree surgeon is coming to our street in a couple of weeks so I'll ask him in advance. Thanks for the advice.

Title: Re: soft wood chip or hard wood chip
Post by: Bruced on August 14, 2009, 12:18

I thought it had to be hardwood - doesn't softwood splinter? Or is that shavings? Duh...

Title: Re: soft wood chip or hard wood chip
Post by: hillfooter on August 14, 2009, 16:01

Check out this similar thread
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=42678.msg502595#msg502595

Regards