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Coop Troubles

Discussion in 'Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance' started by doublecrossranch, Sep 11, 2019.

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  1. Sep 14, 2019 Post #21 of 32
    aart

    aart Chicken Juggler!

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    What ever you want it to be.
    I now use straight PDZ in a thin(<1/8") layer and sift all of it daily.
     
  2. Sep 14, 2019 Post #22 of 32
    blackdog043

    blackdog043 Crowing

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    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.

    poop board tools.jpg
     
    jthornton, aart and doublecrossranch like this.
  3. Sep 14, 2019 Post #23 of 32
    doublecrossranch

    doublecrossranch Songster

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    Smithville, MO
    What are the eye hooks for?
     
  4. Sep 14, 2019 Post #24 of 32
    doublecrossranch

    doublecrossranch Songster

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    And where did you get the sifter
     
  5. Sep 14, 2019 Post #25 of 32
    blackdog043

    blackdog043 Crowing

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    Charlotte, NC
    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.
     
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  6. Sep 14, 2019 Post #26 of 32
    aart

    aart Chicken Juggler!

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    Nov 27, 2012
    SW Michigan
    My Coop
    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
     
    doublecrossranch likes this.
  7. Sep 14, 2019 Post #27 of 32
    rangehen

    rangehen Chirping

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    I wouldn’t put straw bales around the base as that’s likely to end up attracting rodents looking for a comfy winter home.
     
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  8. Oct 4, 2019 Post #28 of 32
    doublecrossranch

    doublecrossranch Songster

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    Smithville, MO
    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?
     
  9. Oct 4, 2019 Post #29 of 32
    aart

    aart Chicken Juggler!

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    Nov 27, 2012
    SW Michigan
    My Coop
    Windchill affects skin, not sure how it affects metal.
     
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  10. Oct 4, 2019 Post #30 of 32
    doublecrossranch

    doublecrossranch Songster

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