Deep Litter in dry chicken run

[jreardon1918]

We are just down just down the road from Bridgewater,MA in Mansfield. Our property backs up to a wetland, in the past six months we have seen coyotes, fox, fisher cat. We went with a fortress style run. I am slowing filling it with grass, clippings... the coop has a ridge vent, gable vents, two windows. I am considering replacing the pop door in the summer months with a board with hardware clothwhere most of the current wood is. I think that should be nice.

 

[ally512]

We are just down just down the road from Bridgewater,MA in Mansfield. Our property backs up to a wetland, in the past six months we have seen coyotes, fox, fisher cat. We went with a fortress style run. I am slowing filling it with grass, clippings... the coop has a ridge vent, gable vents, two windows. I am considering replacing the pop door in the summer months with a board with hardware clothwhere most of the current wood is. I think that should be nice.[/QUOTE

We are just down just down the road from Bridgewater,MA in Mansfield. Our property backs up to a wetland, in the past six months we have seen coyotes, fox, fisher cat. We went with a fortress style run. I am slowing filling it with grass, clippings... the coop has a ridge vent, gable vents, two windows. I am considering replacing the pop door in the summer months with a board with hardware clothwhere most of the current wood is. I think that should be nice.

we have same problem but I haven't said end Fisher cats yet,this is why I'm worried were going to put up an electric fence in ground too so they can't dig but my husband put a sun roof a window and one vent on eaither side we used house vent from floor board, and there outside pen will have netting on top along with electric fence but I'm worried more about the hawks cuz we have about 5 nest in the woods are land is verry big so I can't fence whole yard

 

[ally512]

this is the coop it has vents on eaither side sun roof and window,it'll be hooked up to the outside pen tomorrow with the netting on top of fence with electric around and in dirt

 

[blackdog043]

If you use sweet pdz in your coop, it will help with odors. Tractor supply has it in the horse section. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/sweet-pdz-stall-refresher-25-lb
Your chickens huddled together is normal, it's a new place for them and it takes time for them to get used to change. Also the one with the red comb, could be a roo.

 

[ally512]

If you use sweet pdz in your coop, it will help with odors. Tractor supply has it in the horse section. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/sweet-pdz-stall-refresher-25-lb
Your chickens huddled together is normal, it's a new place for them and it takes time for them to get used to change. Also the one with the red comb, could be a roo.

great, a rooster hopefully he stays quiet he's pretty quiet and keeps to himslef,but I was woundering is like 64-65 ok weather for them at night,I don't want to add a light unless really have too it's pretty warm in there coop,we live in Massachusetts west bridgewater so it's a little cool but they found there food one less thing to worry bout

 

[cholland]

If it's not drafty, chickens are okay into negative temps a bit. 65 is great. They can get overheated above 90. They are basically wearing a down jacket.
Baby chicks need a warmer area, but once they are 6-8 weeks and all feathers, they are good to go.

 

[ally512]

If it's not drafty, chickens are okay into negative temps a bit. 65 is great. They can get overheated above 90. They are basically wearing a down jacket.
Baby chicks need a warmer area, but once they are 6-8 weeks and all feathers, they are good to go.

 

[ally512]

Can I use hay for inside the coop or just pine shaveings,I put some dry grass so I'm not sure what to use

 

[ally512]

Also do I put hay in there pen outside or just leave it ,it's not Mudd it's actually all like leave mulch from years of sitting it used to be a pen for my dogs 10 years ago but it's big

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Can I use hay for inside the coop or just pine shaveings,I put some dry grass so I'm not sure what to use

You can use hay.....there are many options for breeding, it will come down to what you have available and want to use. I have bedded with hay, straw and shavings at different times.

Also do I put hay in there pen outside or just leave it ,it's not Mudd it's actually all like leave mulch from years of sitting it used to be a pen for my dogs 10 years ago but it's big

I would suggest search in "deep litter method" (dlm) here in BYC and reading up on it, as it sounds like a very viable option for you.