Update: I've been using sand in my coop and run and I LOVE how easy it is to clean up! That, and the sand and poop together are a great addition to my compost pile of kelp and kitchen grounds.
Items I had laying about. Cost: $0.00
The watering station (like the feeding station and nesting boxes) is accessed through my workshop. The white plastic sheet is in the tray because my girls were used to drinking out of a white container and didn't seem to notice the water in just the...
My homemade automatic watering station for inside the coop from stuff I had laying about. Total cost: $0.00
I figure next winter (if need be) I'll put one on my seed warming mats underneath to keep it from freezing! The bay that the waterer is in is accessed from inside my workshop... just...
Ah yes! Cold is indeed a subjective term when it comes to how it feels to an individual.... but not for painting which is what I need to do on the hen house! ;-)
It was too cold today to work on the henhouse/coop so I decided to build a tractor coop. Will add some partial covering so the girls can get out of the sun/rain if they want to.
Question: Please excuse my ignorance but I'm receiving several 6-9 week old juvenile birds (from Murray-McMurrays) and am not sure what to feed them and when to switch feeds. I've tried searching all the forums but couldn't find an answer. Should I (pardon the pun) start them on "starter...
On another thread it was suggested I use 4-6" of sand. Right now I have a base layer of rocks topped with several inches of cobble stones. Next I'll place a layer of pebbles on the cobble and wash them into the interstices. Eventually I'll top it all off with the suggested 4-6" of sand.
I've got rocks then cobble as a base and was wondering how deep the sand should be... the 4-6" helps. Good thing the doors I've built are all set higher than that! Thanks! ~ Keith
Thanks... I was wondering if the coarser sand (with the bigger bits of clams shells) might be too "pokey and stabby." Since I'll be sifting all the sand anyways, I'll just make sure to use a finer mesh. The wonderful thing(besides the eggs I hope to get) is that the sand and poop when...
Question: I have three types/sizes of sand readily (and freely) available to use in my coop and run. All contain bits of clam shells. Since I've never done this before I'm wondering which size/texture would be the best to use. The fine, medium, or coarse? Any and all input will be greatly...
Yes... the upper left is what I called the medium sized sand... the taking care of the three things (grit, calcium, and flooring) is what I'm hoping before. This will be my first ever attempt at raising chickens which is why I'm seeking advice. Thanks!
For those of you who've used (or are using) clam shells, I'm wondering if I use one of the types of sand that I have readily (and freely) available in my coop will the hens get any benefit from having the bits of clams shells mixed in... or would I still have to supplement their feed. Thanks!
OK... here's a question to those of you who are already using sand in your coops. I live on a small island in Alaska and there's basically three types of sand that's readily (and freely) available to me: fine, medium, coarse. As you can see there's bits of clam shells already mixed in. What...