American serama thread!

[Carolynspeeps]

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So sorry to hear about your DH. I am sure this has been a very difficult time. Enjoy your Serama, they will help with the stress!

 

[justtoni44]

Thank you everyone.
For sure these little guys are giving me a lot of
pleasure and a nice rest for my mind......
They are so different from my LF layers......
I just love them.They are so curious about everything
When I talk to them, they cock thier little heads like they
understand every word.....

Or if I am working in thier room.they line up and watch me.
They make me laugh........
Hard to feel bad with a Serama in the house.
Later......................

 

[Chicklette 1]

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I ordered 3 small bags of shredded hemp from Canada. It is just like shavings but it is supposed to have less dust and be healthier for the birds (and horses) respiration. It is used all over the UK as horse bedding but I guess because it is hemp, we cannot grow it here........anyone know about this? I have not tried it yet but it looks just like shavings. I was thinking of using it in the nests and nest area since the birds in the lower nests sit so close to the ground for so many days. It is not so bad cost wise except for having to ship it.

 

[Chicklette 1]

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I use sand in all my cages and even for newly hatched chicks too, its best for you to use the playsand due to the smaller pieces of poop food and shaving from the nest. To keep the sand sanitize, I switch it out every 3 months, soak it with bleach then rinse it throughly with water and leave it out to dry in the sun. The long handle reptile sand strainer works best with the playsand...yes, there will be dust but I always take my birds out and wear a mask or wrap my shirt around my nose for precautionary protection when ever I clean my cages. To prevent from having a wet spot from water spill, you need to mix up the sand every time after you clean it.
I have not encountered pasty but ever since I use sand along with the correct temperature the chicks need, the down size to it is your chicks might get some dry dust built up on their nails/claws and if you don't get that off it will make their toes/nail crooked. These are pics of my cages & birds;

one day old with mom, she has 2 more eggs under her that is why I put a little shaving on top of the sand.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/34472_jp1_08_08_11_005.jpg

almost 8 weeks old, these chicks are on all purpose sand (I started out with it but now using playsand).
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/34472_jp1_08_02_11_005.jpg

week old with mom in my lager cage.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/34472_jp5_06_11_11_006.jpg

incubator hatched chicks raise on sand with feather duster as shelter.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/34472_jp1_015.jpg

my breeders in a cage with sandbox bottom.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/34472_jp5_015.jpg
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/34472_jp5_016.jpg

my cages
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/34472_jp3_007.jpg

I hope this help you on your decision....let me know if you need more info.

I LOVE the feather duster idea..........very clever and it seems to work!

 

[Memphisjourney2seramas]

Toni- I am really sorry about your husband. Hang in there and know that we are thinking about you!

 

[Chickenaddict]

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X2

 

[Chicklette 1]

So sorry for your misfortune. Speedy recovery!!

 

[ZooMummzy]

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Toni, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. I'm glad he is improving. You are both in my thoughts.

 

[ZooMummzy]

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I ordered 3 small bags of shredded hemp from Canada. It is just like shavings but it is supposed to have less dust and be healthier for the birds (and horses) respiration. It is used all over the UK as horse bedding but I guess because it is hemp, we cannot grow it here........anyone know about this? I have not tried it yet but it looks just like shavings. I was thinking of using it in the nests and nest area since the birds in the lower nests sit so close to the ground for so many days. It is not so bad cost wise except for having to ship it.

I have never heard of it but that is interesting. There are so many uses for hemp. I'll have to look into it. My adopted daughter just moved to Canada, maybe I'll have her check it out for me. I also have some friends in Canada and the UK with chickens so maybe I'll ask them about it too. I'll let you know what I find out. I'm going to give the sand a try even though the other thread I was following had very bad reviews about using it due to the respiratory issues it causes. I don't know, it seems like just having chickens (their dander and dust) is bad for breathing lol so what's a bit more? We are having 3 yards of sand delivered for the outdoor covered bathing pit my husband is building for my layer flock this week...I think I'll snag a few wheelbarrows full!

 

[Chicklette 1]

I've used both the shavings and the sand. I am currently using the sand with shavings in the nests. I think the sand is a little less dusty. Either of those beddings I load up with DE and that is dusty and can be harmful. My chickens are only a year and a half old so I would not be able to tell long term effects but so far, so good. I think it is a little easier to clean the sand. I very occasionally also sift it through a wire basket to get extra debris out of it. I have it in my 2 coops. I just put down what is called class I sand not class one but class 'eye' sand as it is called here in KY. I put it in my 20X20 pen. It packs down a lot and give you a more solid base to clean up from but still has some loose stone on the top. It may be called something else also. It is white and when you add water, it runs off white. I do not have the birds in there yet because I am still cleaning and trying to "sterilize " the coop.

I purchased the hemp on line and can look up the name and pricing if you are interested.........just do not have it at my fingertips.