[Chookiechook]

I have been given use of a spare stable at the yard where I keep my horse . . .  Great timing as one of the neighbours sons has started to make a bit of a fuss about the cockerel crowing

Anyway.... there is a new straw bed in there which is my straw..... but I am unsure as to whether it is suitable or not.

I have only ever kept mine on shavings (coop) but this is such a large area, and the straw looks very cozy??

Some articles say yes.... others say deffo no(mites)..... So what are your views.

There will be my quartet of silkies going in for now... and then when the new ones arrive they will join them.

[colliebird]

After the problems I've just had with mites, mine are now on newspaper/carton from boxes.
They've just laid 3 eggs on the newspapers, so obviously they don't mind.  I've scattered Diatom on the newspapers, also round their coop

[littlewitch]

Hi there chookiechook, welcome, welcome - as you're in a stable why not try one of the horsey type bedding that are suitable for chooks - such as aubiose or similar natural hemp products - composts easily, reasonable price and some even come treated with that lemony stuff that stops flies (sorry  having a senior moment - can't remember what that lemon scented stuff is called) but you should find these suitable.

[RichardH]

Hemcore's the citronella stuff - I tried toget that but our nearest place does aubiose instead, so went for that instead.

[joyfull]

straw can get wrapped around young chicks legs etc.

[Chookiechook]

Thanks guys, shavings it is 

[chickengeorgina]

We have aubiose/hemcore and love it for our chooks, so much easier to keep clean than shavings and the citronella keeps the flies away. Last for ages 

We've never had a problem with mites (fingers crossed!) using that either. 
Best wishes
Lucy

[Kate and her Ducks]

I use hemcore now and would never go back to shavings. Better smell, more absorbant, composts down in a fraction of the time.

[wilson5]

I am new to this game but have been using a mixture of shavings and shredded paper(that will stop anyone going through my bin for my personal details if its covered in chicken poo!)  but only got three chooks at the moment and will compost down ok.My prob is that my chooks, how are not laying yet are using their nesting boxes to sleep in and as a toilet they do not use the perches only to  occasionaly sunbathe.  Have read that blocking the box off at night is the trick.  Also can any one help with advice about letting my chooks run free in the garden, they have not had their wings clipped yet.  Have Hilda light sussex and Ancona/Arucana/Maran banty hen cross not sure.  Have been told that banties tend to fly?

[lucylou]

hi! my little banties can fly (in a rather clumsy fashion) accross the garden - i keep meaning to clip their wings but havent got around to it.  At the moment i just have to keep an eye on them if they are free ranging as a couple did get ontop of the fence one eveing to roost & thats 6 foot! ive got RIR, sussex, araucana & a wellsummer absolutely love them!! (love them more if they all strated to lay eggs though! - got 6 banties and get 2 eggs every other day!

[woodside farm]

Hi,
I have always used straw, I move my chicks at around 5 - 6 weeks old into a shed with straw on the floor for about a week to get them used to it before moving them outside. (as there are on woodshavings upto this age)
I have not had any problems with mites and straw, but I do clean them out every week.

Michelle xx

[AmandaH]

I can't speak highly enough of Cozy Coop:

http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000001.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2eflytesofancy%2eco%2euk%2f&WD=coop%20cozy&PN=Cozy_Coop_Poultry_Bedding__50_litres_%2ehtml%23aCOZY#aCOZY

It smells lovely, is highly absorbent and it's easy to just clean out the mucky bits and then top up.

[Lynda_T]

Just reading up on Hempcore, ive read that u would sprinkle water on it to start it of is this necessary for chickens? :blink:

[joyfull]

No think that is just for horses 

[Foxy]

I use chopped straw with chicks and their mums outside, older chooks and ducks I use easibed.