The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: ScotsGirl on July 01, 2013, 01:03:07 pm
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I have a large penned area where I have approx 4 hen houses sited. Originally they all opened into the field so hens went straight out but now I have a big shed that houses most if my hens. They tend to stay in the penned area and only some venture into the paddock so the ground is quite poached and covered in poo.
Is there any way to cleanse this as I am worried about disease. It's dry at moment but no grass just dirt. It's not practical to move house.
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Stalosan F-or you could lime it if you can keep them off it until well rained in. I have one permanent pen and worm regularly and use Stalosan regularly, seems to work. I do move them out onto grass for the summer and lime it -then dig it over.
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I would rake the top off and put a layer of woodchip down ( many tree surgeons will supply virtually FOC saves them the bother of taking to a dump and paying). Gives the hens a good scratch around place looking for creepies. Stalosan is a good product, keeps odours too.
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Another vote for Stalosan - so easy just sprinkle around and you don't have to keep the hens off. They'll love some woodchip to scratch around in but you might have to rake it off and replace it after a while
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What is the ground?
When mine were in a big run, part was paving slabs (hose down), part was soil. I used to dig over the soil every week - good exercise for me and it made the chooks very happy hunting for worms.
Stalosan and lime are both good options for keeping it sweet.
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I would rake the top off and put a layer of woodchip down ( many tree surgeons will supply virtually FOC saves them the bother of taking to a dump and paying). Gives the hens a good scratch around place looking for creepies. Stalosan is a good product, keeps odours too.
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HAHA I missed a word out I meant to say Stalosan keeps odours DOWN
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ours was overstocked and got sour. its been resting a year and now looks fine.
iv seen rubber chips or pea gravel used which are hosed down thoroughly.
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Where do I get stalls an from? I have something called Staldren F but not sure it can be used outside. I might try woodchip once goats get too big to crawl through the chicken house!
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Stalosan can be bought from some equestrian suppliers as its used to keep stable yards fresh too, otherwise of the 'net -think I got it from ebay