Breeding Pens for Birds with Feathered Feet

[Celtic Hill]

I keep my D'uccles in Pairs and Trios and i want to create a small pen/tractor for them but i don't want it to ruin their foot feathering. Does anyone have any ideas/planns?

 

[bigspringshatchery]

I was wondering the same thing. I got some silkies and hatching some bcm. I was think maybe sand would work. It would help to not get as muddy. But maybe ppl that raise em will chime in

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

I'm sure you'll get alot of different opinions....but I'm partial to shavings. The pooh seems to "clump" in the shavings instead of getting embedded in the feet feathers, and even if it does, it's easier to pull out.

Also, I haven't noticed any foot feather breakage with the shavings; which is an added bonus.

Plus, my birds are still able to take "dust bathes" in the shavings.

In small areas with the shavings, I can use a kitty litter scoop to do a daily clean up

 

[bigspringshatchery]

I also thought of shavings. Do you shavings get wet when it rains? I just heard that shavings will get mold on them.

 

[Louieandthecrew]

Well, I didn't do anything special but I have two fancy roos at the moment along with three un fancy roos and two unfancy hens (i know, I know) but, here is my coop!

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

bigsprings~~I've never noticed mold developing in the shavings when they get damp or rained on. Maybe it's because the girls stir the shaving around so much....I don't know.

 

[bigspringshatchery]

Ok thanks. I'll give shavings a go

 

[Candiss]

I am by no means a expert, but I think it depends, are you conditioning them for show? If so most people keep them off the ground on thick shavings (4-6 inches). If they are just pets, I dont think foot feathering is that important. I think you can go to www.silkiesbygeorge.com and look under coop, there are some pens on there. Hope it helps.

Candace