This was my first winter with chickens, and we had one of the coldest winters in a long time. That said...I closed all windows and 2 of the 3 pop holes. Everyone did great. I was a lil worried because my coop is so big...22ft x 6ft and only 6 chickens. I asked so many old timers this winter...
When I add new chickens, I always go out at dark and check where everyone is. If I find one not on the poop board roost....I take it from where it isn't suppose to be and put it where I want it. After a couple times of moving them.....they are where they belong!
i have nesting boxes just about your size there. I made my poop tray above my nesting boxes and it hung over the top of the row of nests' and I just added some support legs to hold up the hangover part. I did not want to rebuild the nests' I like the poop board over the nesting row...makes...
I go out every night and close the pop holes, then I go inside.....I put everyone on the roost myself that isnt already there. I have a few stinkers that insist on sleeping in the nest box and several that lay on the dividing wall. Went out today and fixed the wall where they cant get up there...
Weather I read it on this thread or another.....someone said 8 ft of roost per 10 chickens, I wrote it down so I wouldnt forget it. If this isn't correct please let me know
I was told 2x4 layed flat. that way they can sit on their feet better in the winter to keep toes from freezing. I too, made the 24" poop boards and you really do need that room if you dont want them pooping on the 1x4 frames
So, pdz on the poop boards. and sprinkle some DE on the floors and in nest boxes for mites and such? My husband said his grandpa use to dust his chickens with seven dust. but I dont like that idea?????
does the Stall Dri or Sweet PDZ do the same thing as the DE? And whats the name of the stuff that I read somewhere on here that you can toss on the floor and in nesting boxes for mites and such....is that the DE also?