Changing to Sweet PDZ

[jthornton]

I'm thinking of removing the poop boards and just cover the whole floor (5'x4') with Sweet PDZ. My thought is to replace the pine chips in the middle first with Sweet PDZ to see how they react to it come bedtime. Then replace each poop board one at a time.

Well the closest place to get it for me is a TSC in Cape or Sikeston, they both have Sweet PDZ granules in 25 pound bags. How many should I get for a 5'x4' floor? It's a 1 1/2 hour drive each way to Cape so we have to do something interesting like treat the wife to a good lunch lol.



JT

 

[jreardon1918]

JT, have you considered trying the PDZ just in the poop boards. That is how we do it. The pine on the floor is dry, and relatively clean. I only scoop the boards every 5 or so days. 7 birds. I move the scooped poops to the run. It is Working great. I just bought two bags of pdz which will last for several months.

 

[sunflour]

I love PDZ in addition to whatever bedding you prefer, but would not recommend it for the entire coop - if that's what you mean. The granular type is thin, dusty. I add it to areas that get wet to help keep them fresh/dry. I use sand in my coop and run - and mix it in when needed.

IMO use your usual bedding preference and just toss some in when you need it.

 

[jthornton]

I love PDZ in addition to whatever bedding you prefer, but would not recommend it for the entire coop - if that's what you mean. The granular type is thin, dusty. I add it to areas that get wet to help keep them fresh/dry. I use sand in my coop and run - and mix it in when needed.

IMO use your usual bedding preference and just toss some in when you need it.

My Entire coop is outside the roost area...

JT

 

[jthornton]

JT, have you considered trying the PDZ just in the poop boards. That is how we do it. The pine on the floor is dry, and relatively clean. I only scoop the boards every 5 or so days. 7 birds. I move the scooped poops to the run. It is Working great. I just bought two bags of pdz which will last for several months.

The poop boards are not big enough to catch all the poop... they are growing lol. The roost area is 5' x 4'. Looks like Rural King in Farmington also has Sweet PDZ sounds like an early dinner for me and the misses at Waynos in Fredricktown... best Cajun food for miles

JT

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I'm currently using a blend of about 60/40 fine sawdust/pdz on poop boards. Very dry and odor free, way lighter weight than pdz alone which is likely as heavy as sand, so I'm guessing anyway. They love it, lay in it to sunbathe although I haven't seen any active dustbathing in it. Just sharing what I'm liking.
I'm going to say about 3 bags for that size. You could math this I guess.

 

[jreardon1918]

My poop boards are too narrow. There is some that misses. Yet, the floor of the coop is clean. Give PDZ in the boards a try. For me it is great.

 

[blackdog043]

I'm thinking of removing the poop boards and just cover the whole floor (5'x4') with Sweet PDZ. My thought is to replace the pine chips in the middle first with Sweet PDZ to see how they react to it come bedtime. Then replace each poop board one at a time.

Are you calling the roosting board (2 x 3) a poop board? I'm confused why you would remove them, then replace them one at a time. If that picture is your whole roosting area 5 x 4, just cover the whole floor with PDZ. You will need 2 - 3 bags to make it about 1/2 thick, which is enough. My poop board is 2' x 12' and I used 2 - 3 bags. Can't remember exactly, I bought bags that were reduced price, because they busted and not full. I'm not sure how you are going to reach inside to scoop the poop, unless you can access each side.

 

[jthornton]

Are you calling the roosting board (2 x 3) a poop board? I'm confused why you would remove them, then replace them one at a time. If that picture is your whole roosting area 5 x 4, just cover the whole floor with PDZ. You will need 2 - 3 bags to make it about 1/2 thick, which is enough. My poop board is 2' x 12' and I used 2 - 3 bags. Can't remember exactly, I bought bags that were reduced price, because they busted and not full. I'm not sure how you are going to reach inside to scoop the poop, unless you can access each side.

The arrows point to the OSB poop boards and the near one you can't see in this photo. So you have 24 square feet of poop board and my total area is 20 square feet. It is only $10 a bag so I'll get 4 bags today. As you can see both sides open up for easy cleaning although I've changed the far door to cabinet like doors and added what you see in the near side the OSB blocker board to keep the chips from fouling the door.



JT

 

[SueT]

I'm following this thread to learn more about PDZ. Just saw it for sale at an Atwood's store. I don't have poop boards, but will build a pen for chicks under one roosting area, and so the top will become a big poop board. What if baby chicks eat some of it? Any problem?