[rosie14]

We are now thinking about hard wood chippings for the chickens run this winter with some hardstanding (paving slabs) at either end. The trouble is we don't know where to source it! We are in Kent. thanks

[8doubles]

Your friendly local tree surgeon is a good bet. They keep the good burning wood and chip the branches so have lots to dispose of.

Make sure it is a non toxic hardwood as some species can be quite nasty .

[JaK]

Anywhere like b&q would stock it too.

[arugula]

Hardwood chippings might be difficult whilst you will source, quite easily, softwood shavings such as Bedmax. People use this sort of thing for horses (obviously), chickens, pheasant poults etc...

Cheaper unbranded and just as good alternatives are available.

Equestrian outlets, agricultural merchants, farm shops....

[rosie14]

thanks all my husband just pointed out what about red mite and hard wood - would this be considered a problem?

[andy46]

I have read about putting pea shingle down instead (have not tryed it thought it my be to hard for their feet) you can get it from any builders merchants and can be washed and put back down. if you try it let me know 

[rosie14]

lol how about you try it and let ME know 

[DoubleDigger]

Have tried the 'gravel' thing......the "wash it clean" idea.  I didn't think that one through.  Equate volume of 'dung / smell / weight dry, weight wet / space needed to move muck gravel to / means of drawing of muck / water.....I won't go on. 

Wood chips - soft or hard, have a dubious press.....they don't compost very well & you can get trouble, ie. chicken health trouble with fungal spores. 

I now use, following trial & error, baled, chopped "Rape" straw....it has Eucalyptus in it.  The main 'plus point' from my point of view is that, because it is just dried crushed & chopped brassica stems,  it composts easily & quickly - particularly when mixed with chicken manure.  I don't use the one with wheat straw blended in as that does not compost as well.  It does not like being very wet for very long, so does have to be cleaned up more regularly than some substrates when really wet/mucky, but it is cheap & easily available from Agricultural Suppliers & Equestrian Outlets.   It will 'dry out' given the chance.     

[JaK]

I use miscanthus in the chicken runs. It costs just over £6 a bale and will last a long time.

[splash101]

i too tried the gravel - epic failure! All of the reasons below and alo as the chicken poop on it then walk it all in, when you try to poop pick, you are picking up a giant ball of poop and shingle. It did wash down very well but then we were left with stagnant water

i really want to try miscanthus but i am struggling to find anywhere around here that supplies it

[rosie14]

I use miscanthus in the chicken runs. It costs just over £6 a bale and will last a long time.

thanks all we tried the pebbles option...nightmare still digging it up from the veg patch! 

Jak this stuff looks great but we suffer from a muddy run when wet and we have now almost out of compost area! This is really absorbant so heavy? How often do you replace it. I suppose I am looking for something that will not create alot of smell, something that I do not replace often (because getting rid of it is a problem we have a small urban garden) but keeps our few ladies comfy over wetter months (maybe I should write all year with our weather!)

Our run is approx 20 foot long x 4 foot in width. With both ends only partially covered,. I am trying to get my hubby to put some extra plastic roofing panels up for winter. We have one hen and 3 chicks just now we will have 3 hens max really 4 if we go down the bantam route if our current chicks are cocks!

Anyones thoughts welcome

[jhub]

I use hardwood chips in a covered run and they don't seem prone to mould. I replace twice a year and use the old ones as a mulch for the  flower beds.
My local  B&Q superstore has stopped stocking them is need to find a new supplier.

[symonep]

Where abouts in Kent Rosie? We have speedgate down the road and I get 2 bags of comfibed which is small wood chips for £12 I only used 1 bag as it overed a huge area. Will use the other bag in a month or two to top it up. Really helped stop the mud today!

[rosie14]

Our local B&Q have stopped stocking also. I am more SE Kent closest to Ashford. Speedgate isn't that Bexley way ish? I remember my friend from Bexley Heath working there a decade or 2 ago lol!

[symonep]

it is in Longfield not far from Dartford.
Do you have a local horse riding suppliers that does horse bedding as cosibed is a horse bedding. brilliant stuff, soaked up all the water and reduces smell