![]() The run included with wooden coops is often far too small to be used on an ongoing basis - although they are rarely advertised as such. In the end, this makes removing the trays impossible, defeating their entire purpose. Steel pull-out trays seem great in principle but are made of flimsy material which is prone to warping and rusting. The panels ‘blow’ in the wind which wrecks the structural integrity of the coops, meaning they quickly fall apart. Not Solid WoodĬheap wooden coops are often made from thin, poorly laminated wood that de-laminates in a cold, wet climate. This causes deforestation, habitat loss, and an increased risk of landslides and flooding - not to mention the loss of CO2 conversion. DeforestationĬhicken coops imported from Asia don’t use FSC timber, so the trees used to manufacture them aren’t replaced. Here’s 8 reasons why you might want to rethink that plan: 1. Many new chicken keepers err on the side of caution and unwittingly choose something ‘cheap and cheerful’. But when starting out, most people discover there are lots of different coops to choose from. Sprinkle wood ash around the base of your plants to deter slugs and snails from attacking them.This year, lots of people will embark on their dream of keeping chickens. ![]() With its high calcium levels, wood ash is a wonderful soil additive for those plants that like extra calcium such as beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, lettuce, peas, potatoes, spinach and tomatoes. Just be sure not to use it on azaleas, berries, cilantro, cucumbers, garlic, parsley, pumpkins, rhododendron, squash, strawberries, sweet potatoes and others plants that prefer acidic soil. Lavender, rosemary and thyme also like "sweet" soil, meaning non-acidic. Great for all your non-acid loving crops like beets and melons. W ood ash has properties similar to agricultural lime as a fertilizer. Since it's alkaline in nature, it will neutralize acidic soil in your garden. Most vegetables like a pH of 6.8 - 7.2 and wood ash will raise the soil alkalinity. Note: It's a good idea to have your soil tested before broadcasting ash over your entire garden. Wood ash works well on blooming shrubs flowering vines such as clematis, lilacs and nasturtium and flowers such as peonies, phlox and sweet peas. If wood ash were packaged and sold commercially as fertilizer, it would have an N-P-K value of 0-1-3. Wood ash is roughly 10-25% calcium, 1-4% magnesium, 5-15% potassium and 1-3% phosphorus, depending on type of wood burned. ![]() Since w ood ash is a plant-based substance, it contains most of the essential nutrients that soil needs for optimal plant growth. Studies have found that it's effective in absorbing the ammonia and preventing fumes from forming.Īdding a chunk of charcoal to your waterer can help keep algae and other bacteria from forming and help absorb and filter out other impurities, while adding minerals to the water. To reduce the ammonia in your chickens' manure |Īdding charcoal in a ratio of 1-2% to your chicken feed can help prevent the creation of ammonia, leading to a more ammonia-free output from your chickens. It will also help reduce the humidity levels in your coop. Like baking soda, wood ash is alkaline and therefore will absorb and help neutralize bad smells. Sprinkling wood ash on your coop floor can help reduce odors. When ingested, the Vitamin K in the wood ash works to help blood clot and can reverse the effects of the coumadin in rat poison, for instance. Wood ash possesses antibacterial qualities which can prevent an open wound from becoming infected and also works to stop bleeding quickly, much like cornstarch, when applied topically to a wound. ![]()
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