First Time Chick Parents, Spring 2016

What are some examples of raccoon proof latches? Right now there is a big turn latch on the shed doors, it is designed for a lock to be in it but we don't, and it's semi rusted so it takes good force to get it unlatched lol.

We want to add a "screen door" made of wire cloth to put inside the shed door as a second layer of protection.

We are putting chicken wire over the vents/Windows and there are two cents at the top of the shed that were there structurally but we are thinking of taking them out and just putting chicken wire over those.

I know the squirrels once thought the shed was there home but we've cleaned their crap/nests/acorn stash up and kicked them out. Do you think they will disturb the chickens when they're out there?

For bedding we are going with deep litter method. So hay at the bottom with some sprinkled DE and then about 6inches of pine shavings.

Just a piece of advice. The deep litter method is meant to use small, natural microorganisms to break down manure and other bedding into soil (that you could then use in your garden, yum). However, DE will kill lots of those good microorganisms that you want and need to have around. I had originally planned on using DE, but upon further studying, changed my mind. I now use Sweet PDZ granules under my roosts, and scoop out the manure that piles up underneath them once a week, throw it out into the run, and the manure and granules break down naturally. Sweet PDZ is a zeolite mineral and is natural/won't kill microorganisms. Just my take on it all. :)
 
Just a piece of advice.  The deep litter method is meant to use small, natural microorganisms to break down manure and other bedding into soil (that you could then use in your garden, yum).  However, DE will kill lots of those good microorganisms that you want and need to have around.  I had originally planned on using DE, but upon further studying, changed my mind.  I now use Sweet PDZ granules under my roosts, and scoop out the manure that piles up underneath them once a week, throw it out into the run, and the manure and granules break down naturally.  Sweet PDZ is a zeolite mineral and is natural/won't kill microorganisms.  Just my take on it all.  :)

That is fantastic advice. I actually did some research on DE too and I didn't like the controversy surrounding it, so I decided to discontinue using it except maybe if I add it to their eventual dust bath areas.

Thank you for the Sweet PDZ advice.

So for the deep bedding method we have in the coop with a linoleum floor we could just scoop poop piles out and put them in the run around for composting? And then add fresh shavings to the scooped area. How often do you scoop piles of poop out?
 
The chicks did well last night! It got down to the mid 40s and we almost put the heat lamp in. Turns out or long extension cord has some fried wires and needs to be wired at the plug. It started smoking!
1f633.png


But this morning when I quickly checked on them they were running around the coop and were very ansty to get outside when I opened the door. Though I didn't let them out just yet. I wait until my oldest wakes up to give them their morning free ranging. When they are older their free ranging won't be so time intensive. I babysit them while they are out because im afraid of Hawks coming and snatching them.
 
That is fantastic advice. I actually did some research on DE too and I didn't like the controversy surrounding it, so I decided to discontinue using it except maybe if I add it to their eventual dust bath areas.

Thank you for the Sweet PDZ advice.

So for the deep bedding method we have in the coop with a linoleum floor we could just scoop poop piles out and put them in the run around for composting? And then add fresh shavings to the scooped area. How often do you scoop piles of poop out?


I am using the deep bedding method in the coop and the deep litter method in tge run...so when the coop litter needs to be replaced, I just scoop/sweep the old stuff into the run! Plus grass clippings, leaves, etc can be added to the run for the chickens to compost for me. I figure that next spring I will use the run material to give my garden a massive boost...
 
I am using the deep bedding method in the coop and the deep litter method in tge run...so when the coop litter needs to be replaced, I just scoop/sweep the old stuff into the run! Plus grass clippings, leaves, etc can be added to the run for the chickens to compost for me. I figure that next spring I will use the run material to give my garden a massive boost...

Same here! And I scoop and add to run as needed. Right now, about twice a week is plenty, but I know it could change. I check the hen house just about every day and if it smells fresh, looks fresh, then I wait. I think the PDZ helps with that because it neutralizes the ammonia smell.
 
Updated pics of the chicks, littles and bigs.

Sophia, EE, 4 weeks old:


Izzie, CM, 4 weeks old:


Betty, BA, 4 weeks old:


Blanche, LB, 5 weeks old:


Dorothy, EE, 5 weeks old:


Mrs. McGillicuddy, GSL, 5 weeks old: (and a face only a mother could love)


The big chicks, 12 weeks old, Lacey the SLW, Lucy the BO, Ethel the BR, and Rose the EE.


And because she is just GORGEOUS, Rose again...


They are all doing great, all healthy, completely integrated together, and even the little girls have learned to put themselves into the coop at dusk. It took them 3 nights of me putting them inside, and on the 4th night, they did it themselves. I was a proud mama.
 
Hi. My ten chicks are 10 and 12 days old, and I've had them for just under a week. One of them is already trying to hop out of the brooder box. I am wondering if I created a "pen" of sorts and moved them to our garage, and kept the brooder box, but cut down one side of it so that they can get out and wonder but then go back into the box for food and water and warmth, if that's okay. Or if I should just keep them in the brooder box? Or maybe I could put the pen around the box in case they get out of the box? Is there such a thing as too much space for these little suckers??
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom