The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Joseph on May 16, 2012, 02:06:02 pm

Title: Wood Mulch outdoor surface
Post by: Joseph on May 16, 2012, 02:06:02 pm: With a section of the paddock turned into a muddy quagmire in this relentless rain, I was thinking of putting tree surgeons wood mulch down to even out the surface and to absorb the moisture on the muddy sections. I really don't want to put concrete down. I just wonder what peoples thoughts about this are? The goats could eat some of the stuff I guess which might be a prohibiting problem.

Many Thanks.
Joseph
Title: Re: Wood Mulch outdoor surface
Post by: doganjo on May 16, 2012, 02:22:17 pm: I'm about to try the same thing at the entrance to my chicken run.. Will let you know if it works
Title: Re: Wood Mulch outdoor surface
Post by: poppy2012 on May 16, 2012, 09:20:42 pm: sounds like it would be a good thing to try, but having put down concrete this year for our goats after scald and having to trim feet every week, i would try not to be put off too much by concrete and think of the huge benefits...since putting it down and moving them in 5 weeks ago, no problems at all, and they are sooo happy.....just thought its an expensive but very useful thing to do :) let us know how the wood chip goes, it sounds like a good choice of alternatives!!
Title: Re: Wood Mulch outdoor surface
Post by: clydesdaleclopper on May 16, 2012, 09:30:55 pm: It has certainly helped with the mud in our hen and duck runs. Just make sure you check that the chips don't include any poisonous species.
Title: Re: Wood Mulch outdoor surface
Post by: Lesley Silvester on May 17, 2012, 12:21:31 am: When I had hens, I put down slabs from the gate to the henhouse. In days they were covered in mud. I suspect you would need a vast quantity of wood mulch to soak it up.
Title: Re: Wood Mulch outdoor surface
Post by: Joseph on May 17, 2012, 02:33:39 pm: Hmm, we will have to think about it further. I put a plastic roof on our chicken run. That solved that problem.
Title: Re: Wood Mulch outdoor surface
Post by: doganjo on May 17, 2012, 05:10:23 pm: I tried it yesterday and it has peed down all day, so just as bad as ever even with the bark chippings. :'( :'(
Title: Re: Wood Mulch outdoor surface
Post by: jaykay on May 17, 2012, 05:24:18 pm: I wondered about that 'car parking' plastic mesh, filled with gravel? Same problem here, a quagmire.
Title: Re: Wood Mulch outdoor surface
Post by: clydesdaleclopper on May 17, 2012, 06:18:15 pm: Quote from: jaykay on May 17, 2012, 05:24:18 pm
I wondered about that 'car parking' plastic mesh, filled with gravel? Same problem here, a quagmire.

We tried that - the mud just squelches up through the holes and it ends up covered. I think with that it needs to be in place a long time before the mud appears so that you can seed grass into it and then it will grow through the mat but not be worn down when everyone tramples on it.
Title: Re: Wood Mulch outdoor surface
Post by: jaykay on May 17, 2012, 06:42:46 pm: Oh well, that's that plan gone west.
Good to know though - thanks :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Wood Mulch outdoor surface
Post by: clydesdaleclopper on May 18, 2012, 06:13:01 pm: Oh I'm an expert on mud ::)
Title: Re: Wood Mulch outdoor surface
Post by: Lesley Silvester on May 19, 2012, 12:14:54 am: I suspect we all are this year.
Title: Re: Wood Mulch outdoor surface
Post by: ballingall on May 19, 2012, 01:03:22 pm: Yep, same here too. More of an issue with the hens for me than the goats as we keep the goats in if it's too wet.

Beth