Adventures Of Coop Cleaning

[Legacy Farms]

So yesterday what should have been an easy quick job turned into an all day project because my flock decided I needed their help! I went into strip & clean the coop. My flock had other ideas. I started out with the ducks following me around being extremely vocal because they wanted their morning shower. I hooked the hose up around the mini-run so they could self shower. Then the chickens all decided I needed their help to scoop up all the old shavings. Fill the wheelbarrow up after chasing chickens off the wheelbarrow, can't get out because two hens are sunning themselves. Finally, get wheelbarrow load 1 out. Repeat 4 times. I gave up making them a nice healthy lunch of strawberries, grapes, peas, salad & tomatoes. I had a protein shake. I was able to get the last two loads out in peace! These kids are more work than my horses.

 

[SamuelMcF]

They were trying to be so helpful hahaha. I love how clean your coop is. Mine is needing some deep attention too as I keep the floor clean but it is pretty dusty on the walls and what not.

I have a super high maintenance mare and even she doesn't take as much time as chickens

 

[Legacy Farms]

They were trying to be so helpful hahaha. I love how clean your coop is. Mine is needing some deep attention too as I keep the floor clean but it is pretty dusty on the walls and what not.

I have a super high maintenance mare and even she doesn't take as much time as chickens

Thanks! We turned an old 4 sided run in shelter into the coop. I try to keep it as clean as I can because it is right next to the barn. I also have 16 chickens & 6 ducks in there. Those ducks...man are they messy! I put arena sand in their run & part of the coop where the water is. The other half of the coop is DG covered with shavings. Makes it super easy to clean if the kids didn't want to help!

I have 5 high maintenance horses, two primadonnas that MUST be in the barn at night or when it is raining, snowing or otherwise unacceptable weather.

 

[SamuelMcF]

I am always amazed at how messy my ducks are. I only have 3 and they poop more than 10 chickens haha. Not to mention that if I don't keep their little pool full and clean they play in the waterers and just make the biggest messes. But we forgive them because they're so cute hahaha.

I am finally getting our orchard fenced in so the ducks can go roam out there and not make such a mess in the run.

My mare at least doesn't mind being outside but she's older and had a bad history of laminitis; we have to be very careful with what she eats and can't go out to pasture anymore. So I have to keep her well exercised.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Haha I love your adventures. I am always competing with egg laying hens for time to clean the coop. Silly birds.

 

[Legacy Farms]

I am always amazed at how messy my ducks are. I only have 3 and they poop more than 10 chickens haha. Not to mention that if I don't keep their little pool full and clean they play in the waterers and just make the biggest messes. But we forgive them because they're so cute hahaha.

I am finally getting our orchard fenced in so the ducks can go roam out there and not make such a mess in the run.

My mare at least doesn't mind being outside but she's older and had a bad history of laminitis; we have to be very careful with what she eats and can't go out to pasture anymore. So I have to keep her well exercised.

That is why I love the arena sand in the coop & runs, it is so easy to rake it right up. It dries or stays wet and cool for them if I soak it down.

Sadly our ducks & chickens will never be able to roam free here. We have too many predators in the sky & on the ground.

Laminits is awful. Too much green grass in her case? I have a 9 year old mare who was fed too dang much grain & complete horse feed pellets as a 2 year old. She has 2% rotation in her right front. Spring is awful for her, she pops abscesses like crazy no matter what we do. I really wish people would learn to feed properly and stop listening to feed stores that push high protein grains and filler feeds. Ugh!

 

[Legacy Farms]

Haha I love your adventures. I am always competing with egg laying hens for time to clean the coop. Silly birds.

It's always an adventure here!

 

[SamuelMcF]

That is why I love the arena sand in the coop & runs, it is so easy to rake it right up. It dries or stays wet and cool for them if I soak it down.

Sadly our ducks & chickens will never be able to roam free here. We have too many predators in the sky & on the ground.

Laminits is awful. Too much green grass in her case? I have a 9 year old mare who was fed too dang much grain & complete horse feed pellets as a 2 year old. She has 2% rotation in her right front. Spring is awful for her, she pops abscesses like crazy no matter what we do. I really wish people would learn to feed properly and stop listening to feed stores that push high protein grains and filler feeds. Ugh!

YES, it is the worst. For her it was green grass and the pastures she was on were next to an alfalfa field so had a lot of alfalfa that would sprout up. Of course she loved it, but it caused permanent damage, and the worst part is unless you are riding every day, which we weren't, it is hard to spot until it is so far along.

 

[Legacy Farms]

YES, it is the worst. For her it was green grass and the pastures she was on were next to an alfalfa field so had a lot of alfalfa that would sprout up. Of course she loved it, but it caused permanent damage, and the worst part is unless you are riding every day, which we weren't, it is hard to spot until it is so far along.

I bet she was in heaven! It is sad the way it sneaks upon them. I've learned to read the signs in their crest, weight, and gait. Unfortunately, some never show any signs and are dead lame one day. So frustrating! Luckily for me, a semi retired farrier moved in across the street last summer. He is awesome and has helped this little mare a lot this spring.
I'm an alfalfa feeder but my husband thinks they need extra feed when its cold, raining, snowing, windy, or simply because they look hungry. I've had to add bermuda into the feed regiment to keep this little mare from packing on the weight when she is too ouchy to work.