|
Post by scrambled on Jan 12, 2010 14:42:54 GMT 8
I am unsure of what bedding to put down in our new chook house. I don't want to put in hay as I am soooo paranoid about mites (eeewwww!!) I like the sound of tee trea mulch but can't seem to find a source in Perth. Would welcome advice and ideas. Thanks
|
|
|
Post by Duck Diva on Jan 12, 2010 16:51:30 GMT 8
Hi there, I have deep litter of straw in my chook houses. I find this works really well. I havent had a problem with mites at all touch wood, so I cant comment on that. Cheers, Wendy
|
|
|
Post by ashley on Jan 12, 2010 18:10:34 GMT 8
I usualy use the pine shaving you can buy at City Farmers in a bale. It's easy to shovel out the messy bit under the roost each week and give the rest a quick rake. Recently I swapped to straw because I was worried about my new chicks eating the shavings but I'll change back once they are a bit bigger and know better.
|
|
|
Post by quambie on Jan 13, 2010 15:00:19 GMT 8
I use straw, I cant get shavings, when I go to Perth "not often"I always look for shavings as I like to put them in the brooder. I like soft if I can get them Harde to find them . If you guys run out of hay i have a shed full when I go to Perth if you would like any just shout out "ORGANIC" No nasties the strongest thing I use is Rhubarb spray trev
|
|
|
Post by ikbokchook on Jan 13, 2010 15:34:45 GMT 8
I also use straw. Easy, cheap and makes a great mulch or compost when you're done with it! Ashley, I've always used pine shavings for my littlies and never had a problem They do peck at it a bit, but if they're eating it it's never caused a problem What sort of hay have you got Trev? I'm always on the lookout for good oaten hay for my horse!
|
|
|
Post by ashley on Jan 13, 2010 18:06:39 GMT 8
I'm probably just being paranoid, this is by first batch of chicks, I saw them pecking at it a lot in the first day and read 'somewhere on the internet' (not sure where) that it can clog them up so I swapped. Maybe I don't need to bother next time.
|
|
|
Post by Duck Diva on Jan 13, 2010 20:59:04 GMT 8
Hi Ashley, I put the straw straight onto the vege patch as mulch or into the worm farm or compost heap. I havent noticed any problems with chicks pecking at it. Cheers, Wendy
|
|
|
Post by fluffychook on Jan 14, 2010 7:49:13 GMT 8
Great offer Trev, I would love some next time you come to Perth. Where do you stay when you come down?
|
|
|
Post by annieyokie on Jan 14, 2010 8:01:30 GMT 8
Trevor ,can you tell us about rhubarb spray? always looking for something safe & new for the garden
|
|
|
Post by quambie on Jan 14, 2010 10:29:30 GMT 8
HI All Ok The hay first, It is Oaten hay, from heavy country but there is a bit of Rye grass in it but my mates horses seem to love the stuff he has harnes racers it was bailed and stored Dry. The Rhubarb spray I take a load of leaves fill the pan with them, put in just over 5 litres of water, boil for abut 5 minuets, leave to cool strain keep in a plastic container. When you want to use the stuff in a 5 litre spray pack put one inch in the bottom of it fill it up and spray. I have not found anything it will not kill yet better still its renewable. I only get to Perth every 6/7 months " I hate the place " but if you want any hay next time I am on my way I will post a note on line, put a load in the trailer. We stay in Nedlands when we are in Perth so close to all burbs. I am still getting the land back to what it used to be It was not worked for 20 odd years until I took it on so its sad and it was full of all kinds of stuff I did nnot want Trev
|
|
|
Post by fluffychook on Jan 14, 2010 10:40:34 GMT 8
Just wondering how big are the bales and how much do you want for them? The rhubarb spray sounds fantastic stuff.
|
|
|
Post by quambie on Jan 14, 2010 11:57:18 GMT 8
Hi Fluffychook There small squares $ 3- each how's that sound I bailed up about 570 of them I have got only 4 sheep at this time so it will last a long time Trev
|
|
|
Post by fluffychook on Jan 14, 2010 12:06:32 GMT 8
Sounds good to me, I would certainly have some next time you are down.
|
|