Coop Confusion From a NOOB!

Bekkythehen said:

I too was thinking of this problem. I am new to chickens and all I have left is a bare muddy area. Plus they have managed to dig up half of my small Acer tree. I was wondering if I sprinkle some more grass seed down, would it grow or would they just eat the grass seed?

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I'm thinking sand....I think it seems to be the most practical. Their run is tiny and impossible to access. I think sand would be easier to scoop out of there than pine bedding. I bet in all that muck. the bedding would get sticky and gross. but sand would be something we could scoop and rake and as long as it stays clean, I don't see how it could harbor more bacteria than the shavings when they get poopy or wet. Don't know if you live where it gets cold but I'm thinking, for me, in the winter, I will simply put layers of straw over the sand to keep them warm. I hope this works!

On the poop board, I use straight Sweet PDZ. It's whitish granules, like sand, but it is a stall refresher. It kills the ammonia, is edible and compostable.

And yes, on my opinion, the sand is a much easier way
to keep the coop and run clean.

jonalisa said:

On the poop board, I use straight Sweet PDZ. It's whitish granules, like sand, but it is a stall refresher. It kills the ammonia, is edible and compostable.

And yes, on my opinion, the sand is a much easier way
to keep the coop and run clean.

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I'm assuming you scoop it like cat litter? How often do you change out the whole pan and replace it?

Yes I use a kitty litter scoop from the dollar store.
Scooping the poop doesn't leave any moisture so it scoops clean. The remaining PDZ is dry and clean. Since I don't mix it with sand, the only thing that sifts through the scoop is clean PDZ.
I would think that over time, I would need to add more, but after 2 months, I don't see a need to replace it. I did read a post from someone who used this system long term and she said she replaced it about once a year. Another said they never replaced but just freshened it by adding more from time to time.

I should add that my poop board is 2ft deep and 10ft long. So the sweet PDZ is about 2in deep.http://www.pbase.com/jonalisa/image/156504932

jonalisa said:

Yes I use a kitty litter scoop from the dollar store.
Scooping the poop doesn't leave any moisture so it scoops clean. The remaining PDZ is dry and clean. Since I don't mix it with sand, the only thing that sifts through the scoop is clean PDZ.
I would think that over time, I would need to add more, but after 2 months, I don't see a need to replace it. I did read a post from someone who used this system long term and she said she replaced it about once a year. Another said they never replaced but just freshened it by adding more from time to time.

I should add that my poop board is 2ft deep and 10ft long. So the sweet PDZ is about 2in deep.http://www.pbase.com/jonalisa/image/156504932

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For now, I am keeping their poop pans filled with shavings but I have put sand and DE in their run. I will likely scoop the run once a week, as it is difficult to access (its under the coop). But I free-range them so much of the day, there isn't much mess there. I looked for PDZ but that doesn't exist in Ontario

Use Sweet PDZ instead of sand on the poop board.
Easier to scoop, dries out the poop, removes the ammonia smell, is edible (for chickens, not you) and compostable.

jonalisa said:

Use Sweet PDZ instead of sand on the poop board.
Easier to scoop, dries out the poop, removes the ammonia smell, is edible (for chickens, not you) and compostable.

Click to expand...

Can't use sweet pdz because I can't get it here in Ontario. I am using play sand and DE, as that's what I have to work with for now. I was looking for a Canadian alternative to sweet PDZ but so far, everyone at every farm-related store has just looked at me sideways!