Search results for query: *

What @kusanar said... A problem with straw is that it has a waxy coating and therefore doesn't absorb well. If you layer it deep enough the top will remain dry but beneath, it will be soaked with standing moisture for just that reason (and feel spongy). Hay is little better but at least it will...

sorry, responded and noticed the Q had already been answered

If it's higher ground than surrounding, then yes, were it me I'd dig it out a little... at least to start. Once you get the DL going, you want it to build up over time as the stuff under the "top coat" will be glorious composted brown, rich, "gold" for your gardens. If you loosen the soil a...

Isn't THAT the truth! The only pallets I seem to be able to find (free) are nasty, busted up, years old pieces that would require complete re-work. However, the wood used to build them (at least here) is hard red oak, and those boards are strong!

Hi Kristy. Have you ever heard of "cob" or Cob houses? OK, so "cob" is a mixture of straw with mud and cow patties/dung that hardens into/like brick and is used in many 3rd world areas to build homes with. The "back to earth" faction here in the states has also gone down that road. So, when you...

OK... one more "minor" suggestion... I know, I understand.... If you are already planning a 4x4 coop, plywood, OSB, 2x4s, and just about all dimensional lumber comes ready made in 8 foot (by 4 foot in panels) lengths/widths. You could save yourself a LOT of time/effort/issues/bucks if you just...

I believe what Ed was saying is you don't need any wire on the ground "inside" the run... Let the earth do what it's been doing for an eternity. The chickens will mix all of that "stuff" into the soil in their day to day scratching and dust bathing. All you have to do is occasionally add more...

I would think in the summer, if you drive into many subdivisions on trash day you'll find bags of grass clippings by the curb. In the fall, drive through and you'll find bags of leaves. You could also contact any tree service near you and ask if you can have their chipper stuff. Most of them pay...

I had to order the horizontals from EBay.

I have horizontal nipples and have had 1 or 2 "break" and leak... they broke at the pin area though, not around the seal. I just removed/replaced them. Other than that I've never had a leak problem. If the hole was drilled sloppily, it may be leaking around the thread area. I guess you could...

If I remember from what I learned/read at the "back to eden" site, I believe he said wood chips from live trees. The kind you get from tree pruning places and the like. He had several tree services that would drive their trucks to his property and dump out. So it would have been whatever they...

If you start out and keep it deep, that normally won't be an issue. It will get wet (that's desirable) but the moisture should wick down. If it's a puddle (too wet), you add more dry stuff (leaves, wood chips) to absorb it.

Hey there @layne517 and the thread! Throwing my 2 cents in: I hope it IS a "hot" bed for bacteria... that's what breaks down the carbon based materials and gives you that beautiful compost! Without the bacteria, you'd have nothing but a big pile of "stuff". The thing is, in a compost...

Just to add a note to what Bee and Talk said. There IS such a thing as "too dry". If the litter is too dry, it can't compost and will create dust instead. When it's too wet, you can add dry stuff to fix it, but if it's too dry, don't be afraid to hose it down and add moisture or add a LOT of...

I live on the front range of Colorado. It's semi desert here and having the coop raised gives the birds a nice cool place to hide from the sun, rain, snow, aerial predators, dust bathe, and relax. I agree that raising a coop can cause rodent problems if it's NOT raised sufficiently to allow free...

Greetings Elaine and and the thread! Lots of great information here to assimilate (My big word for the day). I would highly recommend that you remove that tarp as it will trap that 99% humidity under it and despite the stair paint, it will eventually cause wood rot in the floor. You need the...

Just one comment... if you are doing DL on a wood floor, you REALLY need to seal that wood against any moisture BEFORE doing DL on it. I am using, and highly recommend Blackjack #57 from Lowes as it's a water based (easy clean up after application) rubberized (flexible for temp swings) roofing...

First, time to put up a fence! A pet peeve of mine is folks wandering around on my property uninvited and unaccompanied! That doesn't happen much and will happen a lot less when my LGD is mature and on duty. Second, good job w/the deep litter! It is a fantastic way to handle the waste/smell...

Hey there @Jeanette39042 ! and the thread. You can absolutely use deep litter in the run as well. Just throw in the weeds, grass clippings, and the used wood chips and such.