Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[Iridian]

subbing newbie here

 

[jeapa]

Wow, this thread is great. It is probably the best I have found on this site thus far. I have a ton of reading to do, but would like to run a few questions by the Old timers.

I have pine shavings in my coop and plan on using the deep litter method. My run is 80% dirt 20% small pea gravel with a little grass that probably won't be there for long. I keep reading about people using sand in their runs and even in their coops. What is the advantage over dirt in a covered run? My run stays dry for the most part and I plan on raking it when it looks like it needs it. I want compost for my garden so I am thinking sand just isn't a good idea. I would rather not scoop poop like people do for their cat litter boxes. What do the old timers use and prefer?

My dh is going to be making the roosting perches for my chicks today and I am wondering if there is any advantage to having just 1 long roost or having 2 at different heights?


If any of you have any thoughts on my thread regarding the two runty chicks that would be great.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/672824/runty-chicks


Thanks.

 

[stonykill]

Now I'm extremely curious, Stony.....why in the world did you think I am a male???? Just gotta know this.....

I have no idea. I don't recall reading anything that clearly stated you were a woman, and being I'm male, I made the jump in my mind I guess. No idea actually....

 

[ChickenCanoe]

IMO the advantage to 1 height for roosts is that dominant birds can't prevent the dociles from using that roost. The advantage of multiple heights is that big birds can hop their way up to higher roosts.
What goes in the coop and run depends largely on your climate.
In extreme humidity and cold I don't think sand is a good choice for the coop because it will harden.
I use pine with the deep litter method in the coop and use that for compost. I use straw or fresh cut grass in the run and that also goes in the compost.
Sand and dirt in the run will allow for dust baths which they want to do every day.

Make sure your roosts are higher than nest boxes to prevent roosting in the nests.
If you're in a cold climate, the roosts should be at least 2X4s so they can cover their toes preventing frostbite.

 

[Roxannemc]

SAw on Storage Wars where in the 50's someone came up with..yeah thats right...sunglasses for the chickens !
.Well they were red or rose so the chickens wouldnt kill each other but what a funny picture.!!
Said someone bought 2000 to put on ALL his chickens !!! Can you imagine?

 

[fowlman01]

SAw on Storage Wars where in the 50's someone came up with..yeah thats right...sunglasses for the chickens !
.Well they were red or rose so the chickens wouldnt kill each other but what a funny picture.!!
Said someone bought 2000 to put on ALL his chickens !!! Can you imagine?

Some people still use them and pheasant farmers use them all the time.

Walt

 

[Beekissed]

I have no idea. I don't recall reading anything that clearly stated you were a woman, and being I'm male, I made the jump in my mind I guess. No idea actually....

Go ahead...you can tell me the truth...you thought I was too crusty and hard-headed to be a woman, didn't you?

 

[chickletteSarge]

Idk aboot stony but I knew you was a woman! Lol not very many men would take on beekissed as a name...none that I know of atleast.... it just sounds feminene....
That and when I read your posts I hear a woman reading it.... lol
Doc sez its ok to hear the voices in my head I just can't talk back.....lmao

 

[stonykill]

Go ahead...you can tell me the truth...you thought I was too crusty and hard-headed to be a woman, didn't you?

lol. Could be

. You remind me of a few male farmers I know around here......... yeah, I'm stickin with that!

.

 

[jeapa]

Thanks chicken canoe. Do you think 7 foot of roosting is enough for 12 hens? That works out to about 7"of space per bird.

I am thinking 3 nest boxes out to be plenty.

I am loving the matter of fact advice found on this thread. I know everyone treats their chickens differently and for many here they are pets, but I just have to shake my head with some of the posts. I couldn't imagine having 8 week old chicks in my kitchen.