Advice for Chicken Coop "floor"

[baglady456]

I am new at raising chickens. I have 3- 6 month old hens. We have built a raised hen house with an attached chicken run that is 5x8. The hens have the rub of the yard twice a day to forage as well. We have very sandy soil here on the Central Coast of California and I have not added anything to the bottom of the run. It is very dry here and I have redirected the sprinklers away from the run. The soil is very sandy and dry but after reading other posts I am wondering if I need to put something down? The hens dig holes and refill them all day long, constantly burying their poop. It is rare to see any standing poop in the run. I have never wormed my chickens either. Am I doing this right or wrong?

Thanks!

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Nope, whatcha got is just fine

I have never wormed my chickens either.

Most people on BYC do not worm unless there are actual *signs* of worms; a few worm annually during a period when they can afford to sacrifice the eggs.

What you're doing sounds fine to me

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​

 

[2txmedics]

I have a coop and a 10x10 run with sand I had put in ....my flock will dust bathe in the run....dig holes to lay in and even go under the coop that I made up high for that reason and sleep and dig holes and lay to cool off...this is normal...once a day I go in and Hoe it to soft and sift the dirt, they love it so much they follow me around when I Hoe, that Im afraid Im gonna pop one on the head!!! Its crazy, I can change positions and they rush to the other side. The love digging up once I do this for treasures.

Then every 2-3 days I put a mister on the run, and chickens,...I live in Texas and it gets hot....they love being out in the mister, and doing the moon walk on the run...once its wet, I again get the Hoe to soften up the sand for them and then the sand is now cool and they go crazy.

 

[gallusdomesticus]

If you want a worm preventative that allows you to continue to eat the eggs, Verm-X is one that I use. It's all natural but it is a preventative, and will not de-worm a bird that already has an infestation. It's always a good idea to keep an eye on your chickens droppings as it may be the first clue you have a worm problem.

 

[baglady456]

Thanks everyone for all of your advice. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever know enough. Thanks again!

 

[kathyinmo]

Sounds like what you have is perfect! Dry is good!

About worming, on the other hand, from hanging out in the "Emergencies," section, I see it is recommended to worm twice a year. All the instructions on that are available.

 

[2txmedics]

Verm-X can be given, even if they DO NOT have worms...to prevent, is that correct? Im assuming a feed store sells it???

and what age can you start it???

thanks!!!