How many nesting boxes?

[chrism]

At least I don't need to worry about roosting boards. I have bare earth coop floor.

 

[aart]

At least I don't need to worry about roosting boards. I have bare earth coop floor.

Any bedding on that dirt floor?
How do you manage the manure under the roosts from 30 birds?

 

[chrism]

It's not a dirt floor.
I'm using a hoop house covered in chicken wire and shade cloth.
The "floor" is the ground.
Should I still be managing the wast?
I was hoping that since it was grass and top soil, that it would self compost.
Am I being naive?

 

[aart]

It's not a dirt floor.
I'm using a hoop house covered in chicken wire and shade cloth.
The "floor" is the ground.
Should I still be managing the wast?
I was hoping that since it was grass and top soil, that it would self compost.
Am I being naive?

Oh Geez....floor.... ground.... whatever.... it's the surface in the coop that you and the chickens walk on.

 

[chrism]

Okay, I'm not trying to be difficult. I'm just trying to be clear on what my situation is. I just figured that your advice was based on me having a non-natural substrate.
So, are you suggesting that the waste won't self compost on the ground?

 

[aart]

Okay, I'm not trying to be difficult. I'm just trying to be clear on what my situation is. I just figured that your advice was based on me having a non-natural substrate.
So, are you suggesting that the waste won't self compost on the ground?

Not sure what it will do if just left on the ground in the environment you have there.

Many folks do a composting deep litter method in their coops that are on the ground like yours.
Where poops 'greens' are not picked up but a contingent of 'browns' ('browns' and 'greens' being composting material designations) is added to the coop floor to be mixed with the poops and actually begin to compost if the right macro and micro invertebrates move in to help out with the breakdown, along with the some moisture and the chickens stirring things up.

I think if you don't add any brown to the 'floor'....you might be over whelmed with ammonia issues....only time will tell.

I'm assuming your first flock is not laying just yet.....
.......and you will find that those cute little pullet poops will drastically change (like triple in size) once they start laying and eating more.

 

[paulscsxchicks]

how many hens do you have

 

[chrism]

I have 30 ranging 1-4 months plus mated pair of guard geese.
I have looked at deep litter a little when I was considering keeping the pullets indoors.
That would definitely make an improvement over time. Especially since the geese bed down in there too.
Can I assume that the waste buildup throughout their 1/2 acre of forage area won't need attention?

 

[aart]

I have 30 ranging 1-4 months plus mated pair of guard geese.
I have looked at deep litter a little when I was considering keeping the pullets indoors.
That would definitely make an improvement over time. Especially since the geese bed down in there too.
Can I assume that the waste buildup throughout their 1/2 acre of forage area won't need attention?

Hard to say, but I doubt it......could depend on your climate and weather.
Adding your location to your profile can help folks give better answers/suggestions.
I take it you're free ranging?
Do you also have a secure run in case of predation issues?

 

[chrism]

I'm in zone 7A Central Va.
I am free ranging. I have a semi secure coop, 2 geese and a 12 g.