Carport coop

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:16 pm

Wood shavings (non toxic) are more absorbent than straw or hay which tend to retain moisture and therefore promote mould growth.
It is hard to get the non toxic woodshvings in our parts, it is a fair drive to the next township, so we use what is available at our local stock feed, straw or hay, if we can't drive down the line.

Thanks for the advice Ian, about the peat moss. Will try that out next time we can get some.

Thought this website will help in regards to peat moss explanation, and probably available at the local nursery, Bunnings etc
http://www.brunnings.com.au/mulches.html

Ian Clayton · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:27 pm

Hi

Hay and straw will tend to go mouldy and is bulky. You will need to turn your litter every now and then and wood shavings/peat are easy to turn with a garden fork. Also by feeding scratch mix in the litter the chooks will turn over the litter for you. Peatmoss is dried peat you can buy in Garden/Nursery stores. Do not allow the litter to become compacted it must be loose and dry for it to work.

Ian

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:38 pm

Thanks again, Ian, for the advice about keeping the litter loose. What would be the best place to find non toxic wood shavings? Poultry keeping is all very new and we appreciate your experience.

If we go down into the next big township, the hay and straw come in compressed bales, they are sort of like gigantic Weetbix packed together and easy to store.

Ian Clayton · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:39 pm

Hi

None toxic wood shaving are availble from East Coast Wood Shavings in Brisbane 07 3271 6311 http://www.ecw.com.au
They come in a compressed pack that weighs 17kg or 70-80 lt.
I used to buy them by the pallet and sell them in our feed shed in Malanda try and get your local feed shed to get them in.

Ian

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:52 pm

We're further down south, but will ask the local stock feed AGAIN, they are only small and reluctant to do "special orders". It takes so long for travelling if we don't have too and petrol is so expensive.

Salterspoint · **Joined:** Tue Sep 06, 2011 3:20 pm **Posts:** 1

With a carport being so close to the house do you get much smell? I like the idea and may do something similar but the smell worries me?

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

Salterspoint wrote:

With a carport being so close to the house do you get much smell? I like the idea and may do something similar but the smell worries me?

It would depend how close your carport is, some councils have regulations about how far chook coops can be kept from your house or your neighbour's best to check first.

The organic smell is something you get used to! It's the flies in summer that drive you crazy buzzing around... [smilie=new_silly.gif]

I collect the poop regularly as it is quite large and easy to pick up, especially the rooster's and it goes around the garden, in the compost, or to anyonewho wants it.

wickedwings · **Posted:** Wed Sep 07, 2011 8:20 am

Salterspoint wrote:

With a carport being so close to the house do you get much smell? I like the idea and may do something similar but the smell worries me?

I don't think the smell from the house will worry the chooks too much. :lol:

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Wed Sep 07, 2011 8:37 am

wickedwings wrote:

Salterspoint wrote:

With a carport being so close to the house do you get much smell? I like the idea and may do something similar but the smell worries me?

I don't think the smell from the house will worry the chooks too much. :lol:

You're

shaun · **Joined:** Mon Jul 18, 2011 2:45 pm **Posts:** 21

The carport is in the far corner of the yard, about 20 metres from the house. We live on a small block in town (600m2). & 1/2 the backyard is concrete. I intend to put the litter in this weekend & once that's done we'll get the chooks. I thought that the deep litter method is meant to keep the smells down.

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