Advice re run flooring please?

[Eco-Chic]

The house and integral covered run are currently on earth. It isn't in bad nick considering the amount of rain we've had.

That won't last however.

Tomorrow, I collect some ugly paving slabs to lay unmortared in the run and can cover them with shavings and/or straw. Which is best?

Alternatively, I can move the house and run on to the decking which will be slightly more sheltered from rain and prevailing wind by the garden wall and lay the slabs on top of the decking and cover with slabs and shavings/straw.

This second option would also have the benefit of allowing the ground to sweeten for the winter months.

What do people advise?

The chooks are let out to free range 4/5 hours minimum every day.

[Suechooks]

I think I'd go with the straw option. I've never actually tried shavings in the run but am thinking of it if things get desperate over winter as I have a spare bale as I've gone on to Hemcore in the huts. Have you got a covered area in the run? You could use shavings there if you have them anyway but if you've got to go out and get stuff then I think straw. Also put them wherever it's driest and most sheltered if you have a choice.
Mine wouldn't come out of the run today when I went to the lottie at lunchtime! Just took one look outside and retreated!

[Bramble-Poultry]

i tried the same experiment last week in my runs. One i covered with straw the other with shavings. Whilst the straw looks dirty quite quickly, it is being turned over very regularily by the birds (especially when you chuck a sprinkling of grain on it) but the shavings look cleaner, but they pack down tightly very quickly creating an anearobic environment which makes me worry about fungus spores etc forming.

Therefore i would prefer to use straw. Plus at the end of the day when you clean out the run, straw composts easiler than wood shavings.

[Hilary B]

I'd go with the better drainage, especially if also better sheltered. The snag with putting them on 'decking' is that even with slabs, some chicken poo will get onto the decking beneath, and it won't be good for the decking......

[Eco-Chic]

Right then, Straw it is for the run and I shall move the run to the decking in the next few days.

Hilary the decking will have to take its chances - my ladies won't look at all good with muddy knickers and toes Thanks for the warning though, I'll lay some cardboard boxes underneath the slabs to add some protection

Off to purchase some straw for my princesses Thank you all.

[Bramble-Poultry]

when buying straw, try and get "proper" straw not the chopped straw as this is very short and will bog down very quickly. If possible (not easy in london i fear) try and get a whole bale as this will only cost you around £1.50, whereas a "bale" in pets at home will cost a small mortgage!

I am sure its possible to get, i mean they have stables at Hyde Park so it must come from somewhere!

[Eco-Chic]

Aww thanks Bramble. The full straw bales cost about £2.39 but I had so much stuff in the car I didn't have room for it and paid £4.05 for a midi bale of dust extracted longer length barley straw.

When I can empty the car I shall go back and get a big bale of straw so the laydees can have nice dry tootsies and fluffy bums

On the other hand I got a litre of Solvitax R~A Omega 3 for the dogs @ £14.49 whereas it's £5.75 for 170ml in my local pet shop

[dexterdoglancashire]

when buying straw, try and get "proper" straw not the chopped straw as this is very short and will bog down very quickly. If possible (not easy in london i fear) try and get a whole bale as this will only cost you around £1.50, whereas a "bale" in pets at home will cost a small mortgage!

I am sure its possible to get, i mean they have stables at Hyde Park so it must come from somewhere!

Blimey! and I thought I got a good deal at around £4.00 a whole bale!

[dexterdoglancashire]

Aww thanks Bramble. The full straw bales cost about £2.39 but I had so much stuff in the car I didn't have room for it and paid £4.05 for a midi bale of dust extracted longer length barley straw.

When I can empty the car I shall go back and get a big bale of straw so the laydees can have nice dry tootsies and fluffy bums

On the other hand I got a litre of Solvitax R~A Omega 3 for the dogs @ £14.49 whereas it's £5.75 for 170ml in my local pet shop

As you say, its well worth shopping around. Ive found a super supplier in Croston, Croston Mill to be exact, an absolute treasure as far as animal supplies are concerned............anyone in Preston/South Ribble, its well worth a visit!

[Eco-Chic]

I buy the dog's kibble and frozen tripes from my local pet shop because I can walk there and take the 'dangerous brothers' with me. I would like to buy all the dog's stuff there but the joint oil will only last for 17 doses so I bought in bulk from the horsey section.

Tina and her staff in the pet shop give excellent advice, sometimes figuring out things the vet (also excellent) hasn't arrived at, so I do try to patronise their shop frequently.

[RichmondHens]

If you live anywhere near a farm go and bang on their door! My farming neighbour in Suffolk used to charge me just £1 a bale, and she would deliver it too. I can't believe you paid £4 a bale Dexterdog, that is outrageous!

[dexterdoglancashire]

If you live anywhere near a farm go and bang on their door! My farming neighbour in Suffolk used to charge me just £1 a bale, and she would deliver it too. I can't believe you paid £4 a bale Dexterdog, that is outrageous!

I'll have to call at a local farm and ask......

[Bramble-Poultry]

our local farm / feed store sells bales of straw at £1.50 standard rate, £2.00 for barley straw (makes no difference to the chooks. They poo on it just the same) or occasionally he will sell you a bale or two for a £1 each if they are last years harvets and looking a bit tired.

He also sells Whole Barley (20kg) £3.00, Whole Oats(25kg) £4.00, Wheat(25kg) £3.75 and mixed corn(20kg) £6.50 per bag.

For maintenance over the winter (and for fattening the turkeys up) it makes sense to make a mix up of pelleted feeds and straights like this as it saves a fortune. i.e Turkey Finisher £9.75 per sack for 25kg, or i can batch one up using straights and pellets for £6.00 for 20kg abd the birds love it and pile on the weight - great when you consider they go off to teh slaughter house in 5 weeks time!

[Eco-Chic]

The tired looking bales tied with orange twine will cost me £2.39. There are actually many farms within 6 miles radius of me so I shall check out some other sources, including Trent Park Stables, where I hope to get a load of manure.

[tlck9]

ok here is a very silly question: how big is a bale

I mentioned a straw bale to my OH and his it would take up my entire run...I have an 8 by 8 foot run, but then I have a door wide enough for me to get through

I bought a bag of straw, but its smaller shredded and I do worry that Omlet will eat it again and get a problem with her crop