I agree but here is my 2 cents: I use sand always and in summer add a little PDZ for odor . I DO NOT EVER use diatomaceous earth because the directions and all my research says for humans to handel with a respirator on. Chickens have very sensitive lungs so I would not be spreading it daily...to...
My girls are 22 weeks. BPR had tail dropped, lethargic etc. Took her to vet did a CBC, vitamin shot, hydration. She perked right up. I suspect she has layed a few liquid eggs, she plopped one out while over night in the crate. . She also had dark green diarrhea. She is on antibiotics. So tonight...
My girls are 4.5 months, my Ameraucana started laying on the 15th and has only missed 1 day! Yesterday I got a second egg (brown) but no brown today...Just light Blue/Green...She is a little machine! The rest better get on board!
I kept the nesting boxes blocked off. Opened them up a couple weeks ago, saw Ruby go in once. She has laid an egg a day in there since Sunday! This pic is before I added sand and bedding.
I noticed my 16 week old Ameracauna was getting noisy and was a little more pushy, she is low in the pecking order of 4. I reached for her back to test and she gave me the submissive squat. a week later, last Sunday my first ever egg!!! Yes it is true!!
First egg and first time chicken keeper!
I got my first egg Fathers Day from Ruby my Ameraucauna. She has layed everyday since and as you can see they are bigger everyday. She is 17 weeks today, hope the others join in soon. She was submissive squatting so I knew she would be first.So EXCITED!!!!!
Below is from The Chicken Chick.com I use sand and have found all to be true. My 3 week olds were out of the Brooder and into the coop with 43 degree weather no problems. Now it is 95 plus and they love it. I have a shady spot and they just burrow in to the cool sand!
keeps coops cooler in...
As someone said what works for one person......I am in CA and based on information from the Chicken Chick who I feel has a very good grasp on urban chicken keeping, and various articles I have read, I decided sand made sense for me to try. Tried it in the Brooder, FANTASTIC held warmth very well...
Got a few pics today my girls are 10 weeks tomorrow. I am in CA and was able to move my girls out to the coop at 3-4 weeks and used the coop as the brooder for a week or so. Then out into the run, they go in the coop to bed every night, very fun to watch.