bedding

[PeepsNLadybugs]

To ChickyLaura...........I'm planning to build a couple of coops around 4' by 6' for each 10 or so chickens. Then I would get pine shavings for the coops. I'm new to this so I don't know if I should put them just in the coops or all over. My actual pen is 16' by 20' but I will probably divide it into two separate pens; one for the chickens I already have and one for the newer chicks I know I will get! We have a TSC here and I will go there tomorrow to see if they have any. Can you advise if I should just get enough for the coops or the whole Pen? Thanks

 

[patandchickens]

Generally you only want bedding (shavings) in the indoor coop. THere are a few situations where you might put it outside too, but mostly if you put it outside, half will blow away and the other will (in moderate or damp stretches of weather) get really wet and soggy and flyey and stinky and nasty. There *are* some things you can put on the ground in the run if you really want (see 'fixing muddy runs' link in my sig below) but shavings is not generally one of the choices you'd want.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[ducks4you]

We ALL use bedding for our critters that are housed inside any structure or barn. We also pay for our bedding, but most of us try to get it as inexpensively as possible, because you'll need to budget this into your costs for your animals. The preferred bedding is pine shavings with DE. Many of us use straw for the runs, and, if we have other livestock, sometimes we'll use hay. I think, in a pinch, I'd also substitute shredded newspaper, that is sold at Lowe's for insulation, IF I was out of shavings and straw and the stores were out of shavings.

If you have a Farm Supply store anywhere within an hour's drive, you will probably get pine shavings and DE there. If you are close to a Pet Store, you can start with a few bags from them, BUT, it WILL be more expensive, because they usually offer smaller packaging. If you live near any farms that grow wheat or oat straw, you'll be able to buy from them--they don't charge you tax.
IF your birds are over, let's say, 5-6 months old, you could get shavings and sawdust from a mill, and go cheaper, but you'll make your birds sick if there is any hardwood sawdust in it.

THE POINT IS, use the Net and your phone and list:
1) who carries what
2) price shopping (including gas to drive there)
3) is it seasonal, or available all year round? (grocery stores sell off straw after Halloween--okay if it hasn't been rained on)

You are making an investment in your animals, and "yes, Virginia" it does cost you.

 

[ducks4you]

ALMOST FORGET - - Countrypunk92 & PeepsNLadybugs

 

[PeepsNLadybugs]

Thanks to all who replied. I'm having so much fun taking care of my chickens every day and I can't wait for my first eggs. I found out early on this is not the cheapest (cheep, cheep!) of hobbies but it's all worth it if it makes you happy. And right now I'm addicted.

Later on I want to try my hand at hatching. I just love new born chicks. (and kittens and puppies and ducks) You get the picture!!

 

[PeepsNLadybugs]

And thanks for the warm welcome...ducks4you

 

[ducks4you]

Eggs are about to jump in price--I think you'll be $ ahead by the Fall. AND...you KNOW what's been going into your eggs!

 

[valentinebaby]

Quote:
I'm just curious - where have you read that eggs will jump in price?

 

[ducks4you]

I'm speculating (have you ever looked up the word in a dictionary?!?)--I don't know how a stick that goes into the mouth (speculum) can be related...

A N Y W A Y, last year when gas when up, eggs and a lot of other food prices went up, too. Plus, I've been grocery shopping for 30 years (oldey--51 yrs old, born 1957) and I can tell you what everything I buy is going to cost before I go to the store.

When eggs cost ,$1.00/doz. at the store, the feeding/caring for the chickens makes your eggs more expensive.

When eggs cost $1.50 or more/doz., it costs less (at least, for me) to feed birds and collect from the nest.

I can't taste much difference myself, but EVERYBODY else that samples my bird's eggs says that they can. SSOOOO, our own eggs are more esthetically pleasing, regardless of cost.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Or spectacles (glasses) for that matter -- the root refers to contemplating, looking-at

When eggs cost $1.50 or more/doz., it costs less (at least, for me) to feed birds and collect from the nest.

Unfortunately it is not that simple, because feed costs are typically correlated with the price increases you cite, so it can easily cost as much or more for your own eggs, unless your chickens are surviving solely on foraging and kitchen scraps (which few do)

Just sayin',

Pat​