Coop Troubles

[aart]

What is the sand to PDZ ratio for the poop boards ?

What ever you want it to be.
I now use straight PDZ in a thin(<1/8") layer and sift all of it daily.

 

[blackdog043]

I use straight PDZ also, I never mixed it with sand. I start with 1/4 - 1/2" then add more when it needs it. I usually buy a couple bags when TSC has it on sale for $8.99. If I'm real lucky, it might be on sale and also 10% off with the neighbors club.

This is my scraping, scooping, sifting and leveling arsenal. The board has 1/2" eye hooks in the bottom, I tilt it as the PDZ gets less, to smooth it out. Sifting with the basket gets all the finer poops out.

 

[doublecrossranch]

The board has 1/2" eye hooks in the bottom, I tilt it as the PDZ gets less, to smooth it out.

What are the eye hooks for?

 

[doublecrossranch]

I use straight PDZ also, I never mixed it with sand. I start with 1/4 - 1/2" then add more when it needs it. I usually buy a couple bags when TSC has it on sale for $8.99. If I'm real lucky, it might be on sale and also 10% off with the neighbors club.

This is my scraping, scooping, sifting and leveling arsenal. The board has 1/2" eye hooks in the bottom, I tilt it as the PDZ gets less, to smooth it out. Sifting with the basket gets all the finer poops out.

View attachment 1907893

And where did you get the sifter

 

[blackdog043]

What are the eye hooks for?

My poop board is 24" x 12' I hold the top of the leveling board and run it over the PDZ, so it is smoothed out easily, after I scoop and sift. The eye hooks keep the board above the PDZ. The sifter is a wire basket, found in the office section at Walmart.

 

[aart]

My poop board is 24" x 12' I hold the top of the leveling board and run it over the PDZ, so it is smoothed out easily, after I scoop and sift. The eye hooks keep the board above the PDZ. The sifter is a wire basket, found in the office section at Walmart.

I do much the same.
At first, 5 years ago:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/6...raphic-gross-poop-pictures/1100#post_13179595
Then later:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...s-poop-pictures.621363/page-178#post-18966048

 

[rangehen]

I wouldn’t put straw bales around the base as that’s likely to end up attracting rodents looking for a comfy winter home.

 

[doublecrossranch]

I am revisiting this issue since it’s getting into the 40’s now. The metal coop was the same temp inside as outside. It’s fine now but what about when the windchill is -15?

 

[aart]

I am revisiting this issue since it’s getting into the 40’s now. The metal coop was the same temp inside as outside. It’s fine now but what about when the windchill is -15?

Windchill affects skin, not sure how it affects metal.

 

[doublecrossranch]

Windchill affects skin, not sure how it affects metal.

I’m just saying if it’s no warmer in the coop than outside shouldn’t I add interior walls or insulation or something