California - Northern

[ronott1]

How deep do you make it? And what type do you use?

Construction sand from home depot but you can get it for less from a sand and gravel place.

a couple of inches and fill in the low spots.

 

[Happy Chooks]

 
Yes...we definitely need it!  But it is keeping me from finishing the quail coop!  BTW....how do you all deal with soggy ground in your pens?   Last year I was able to free range my flock in the back yard and just locked them up at night  Since they competely destroyed all of the grass we had anc are now confined to a good sized pen, the ground has nothing to keep it from becoming a mud pit.  All the little pockets they turned into dust bathes are now puddles and the whole place is pretty slippery when I have to walk in certain areas.  The secure part of the pen stays pretty dry because is has a sloped polycarbonate panel roof over it.    Is there something I can put on the ground theat will help keep it from being so muddy?

Sand works for me. It makes a big difference in the mud.

I.use muck boots from tractor supply. They are plastic rain style type boots with good tread on the bottom. They keep me from slipping.

 

[FoxholeFarm]

Woohoo! We had a block party here yesterday during which we opened our garden for coop-tours. It was great to get to do some chicken education and to get feedback from neighbors about the rooster crowing (all positive!!!). Kids from the neighborhood had lots of fun holding the chickens and feeding them lots of treats. My two PQ d'uccle hens were the favorites of all the kids because they were totally unafraid, calm, and gentle. The Polish and silkies were the favorites with most of the adults, as well as our sweet cochin roo who loves being held for as long as we are willing.

We wont ever win over the two terrible neighbors that keep tying to force us to get rid of our roosters, but I have won over their children, friends, and girlfriends so I will take that as score one for the good guys,

and if it ever comes down to it, I know I have the support of the rest of the neighborhood. Its great to feel like my community supports my eccentricity!

 

[ronott1]

Woohoo! We had a block party here yesterday during which we opened our garden for coop-tours. It was great to get to do some chicken education and to get feedback from neighbors about the rooster crowing (all positive!!!). Kids from the neighborhood had lots of fun holding the chickens and feeding them lots of treats. My two PQ d'uccle hens were the favorites of all the kids because they were totally unafraid, calm, and gentle. The Polish and silkies were the favorites with most of the adults, as well as our sweet cochin roo who loves being held for as long as we are willing.

We wont ever win over the two terrible neighbors that keep tying to force us to get rid of our roosters, but I have won over their children, friends, and girlfriends so I will take that as score one for the good guys,

and if it ever comes down to it, I know I have the support of the rest of the neighborhood. Its great to feel like my community supports my eccentricity!

That is great!

I hope the ones that are causing problems leave you alone. My problem neighbor moved and the new family buys eggs from me now.

 

[ronott1]

I.use muck boots from tractor supply. They are plastic rain style type boots with good tread on the bottom. They keep me from slipping.

I use crocks--black ones. They can go right into the sink to be washed. They do slip a bit but not too bad.

 

[chiqita]

Ok i was looking around for aanswe to why some things are iron ok and some are not. The answer is a lot of animal products (including red cell which is what started this inquiry) use chealated iron. This you will ekiminate excess. Poly vi sol is NOT chealated and has waay to much of everythjng in a drop for a chick but the iron is the only thing that can easily be toxic amounts. Im coming to the conclusion poly is a bit like sulmet. Better then nothing but the worst choice for chickens.

Im gonna rry red cell since it has great selenium content and its easier and cheaper then a lot of the other vits around. I can deal with more expensive but its hard to turn down easier...

 

[casportpony]

Ok i was looking around for aanswe to why some things are iron ok and some are not. The answer is a lot of animal products (including red cell which is what started this inquiry) use chealated iron. This you will ekiminate excess. Poly vi sol is NOT chealated and has waay to much of everythjng in a drop for a chick but the iron is the only thing that can easily be toxic amounts. Im coming to the conclusion poly is a bit like sulmet. Better then nothing but the worst choice for chickens.

Im gonna rry red cell since it has great selenium content and its easier and cheaper then a lot of the other vits around. I can deal with more expensive but its hard to turn down easier...

What about Rooster Booster Poultry Cell?






-Kathy

Edited to add: I use about 0.1ml per 100 grams when treating a sick bird that I think might benefit from vitamins. I do not use it daily.

 

[tommysgirl]

Darling pics of happy girls..Human and Avian

Woohoo! We had a block party here yesterday during which we opened our garden for coop-tours. It was great to get to do some chicken education and to get feedback from neighbors about the rooster crowing (all positive!!!). Kids from the neighborhood had lots of fun holding the chickens and feeding them lots of treats. My two PQ d'uccle hens were the favorites of all the kids because they were totally unafraid, calm, and gentle. The Polish and silkies were the favorites with most of the adults, as well as our sweet cochin roo who loves being held for as long as we are willing.

We wont ever win over the two terrible neighbors that keep tying to force us to get rid of our roosters, but I have won over their children, friends, and girlfriends so I will take that as score one for the good guys,

and if it ever comes down to it, I know I have the support of the rest of the neighborhood. Its great to feel like my community supports my eccentricity!

What a great proactive idea! Nice job!

@Audio51 Thank you I think she is a beauty too. I am willing to bet that your mottled AM will get more white with her molts.

 

[tommysgirl]

Attention Duck People!

Do Ducks need a buddy? My uncle had two, lost one to a predator and now the remaining duck hangs out with a goat. It is cute they really have developed a dependency thing but I was wondering if we should get him a friend or two. I assume he is a drake. They were getting eggs until they lost the one but no eggs since.

Also how long and frequently do ducks lay?

Do you free range them? The current boy is in a nice sized pen with the goat but my uncle doesn't let him get out to range. We live a block from the lake. How do we keep them from hearing the call of the wild and joining a wild flock or am I worrying about something I don't need to be worrying about?

Is there such a thing as a sex-link duck or can I get an adult female or two? I don't want to deal with the mess of brooding them.

Is integration a problem like it can be for chickens or are ducks more chill about life in general?

Thanks!

 

[chiqita]

What about Rooster Booster Poultry Cell? -Kathy Edited to add: I use about 0.1ml per 100 grams when treating a sick bird that I think might benefit from vitamins. I do not use it daily.

i was going to say tats an ease of use issue. Red cell is very concentrated so its once a week in the water small enough amounts i can give it to mArio in little cups for the 5 gallon buckets. That needs to be done individually and daily. Too much effort for every bird. I don't know if bio iron is chelated. Since i have your attention do you think its better for healthy birds/egg hatchablity then red cell? Let me get pic.