Deep Litter...For Babies?

[gryeyes]

I only use the "regular" waterer, up on a raised platform, for the first week, because it's what they're used to in the feed store. After that, I change over to a nipple waterer in a plastic quart milk bottle (or other container). NO SPILLED WATER, no poop or shavings in it!

I went to the local Goodwill Store and picked up some heavier plastic "travel" drink bottles for really cheap and put poultry nipples in the bottom of them, so I have a few on hand all the time. The Big Chickens use nipple waterers, too. Chicks learn how to use 'em really quickly, too.

 

[eggseroneous]

I've been using pine shavings, and when I see little poops here and there, I layer another bit of pine shavings on top. I keep my waterers up on overturned dinner plates and it works great! Hardly any shavings get into the water and the shavings stay drier. I intend to DLM with pine and DE when they get to the Big Girl/Boy house.

I have 28 chicks and they went from the two big rubbermaid containers to an 8 by 5 pen I made out of cardboard REAL quick. This is SO much easier to keep clean and they were so crowded! I was emptying the containers every day. We have a chair in there so we can sit and play with them (they like to untie our shoes!)

 

[ElioraImmanuel]

The hay is working wonderfully! Thanks for the heads up on the mold. We have other livestock that we must purchase orchard grass hay for eating. So, we're very familiar with water content. I'm doing things the Amish way. I'm cutting the grass, drying it, turning it, drying it...until it's proper hay. This fall we'll re-seed our pastures with the orchard grass...so we'll have to buy a lot less. Thankfully, I'll still have more than enough acreage to cut and dry for the chicken. Boy! Are my hands blistered!

I have all my waterers up on metal shelving in the totes. So, the chicks can't tip it. They love jumping up there and underneath is just like the underside of a proper coop! They love hanging out under there.