How to keep bedding clean and dry?

[citychicks99]

One of my hens hatched 5 baby chicks last week in the wild and I had to move them in a dog cage in the coop to keep them dry since it started raining a lot here. I sprinkled pine shavings in the corner where they sleep and I put some soil in the middle for mama to have a dust bath. In the front is where I have food and water and where I try not to have anything underneath. I used a shallow dish for water at first but they kept knocking the water over. So I made a homemade waterer for them. Since it's heavy they can't knock it over but they still manage to get dirt in it and the area is still a little wet. It's difficult for me to clean the cage because they freak out and hide in the corner. When I used a kitty litter scoop yesterday, the mama thought it was a predator and flared up. I'll have to just wear gloves and scoop out dirty bedding with my hands from now on. How can I keep the area by the water dry? I would use sweet PDZ but I read on a thread here to not use it around baby chicks.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

It's safe to say they're going to outgrow the cage fast, considering full grown Mom is in there. I just elevate my chick waterer's on a brick or wood block and I keep adding bricks and/or wood blocks as they get taller. I also use old tshirts alot with baby chicks cause I can just shake em out and toss in washer instead of dealing with constant bedding. Sounds fun, I bet they're adorable, ENJOY!!

 

[citychicks99]

It's safe to say they're going to outgrow the cage fast, considering full grown Mom is in there. I just elevate my chick waterer's on a brick or wood block and I keep adding bricks and/or wood blocks as they get taller. I also use old tshirts alot with baby chicks cause I can just shake em out and toss in washer instead of dealing with constant bedding. Sounds fun, I bet they're adorable, ENJOY!!

Old t-shirts is a great idea! I'm worried all the poo might stink up my washing machine. Maybe I'll do a quick rinse in another bucket outside...

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Old t-shirts is a great idea! I'm worried all the poo might stink up my washing machine. Maybe I'll do a quick rinse in another bucket outside...

If you have them in a dry area... ?? I found that the poo dries on the Tshirt so I just have to shake it off before putting in washer. If it was super wet/gross, yeah I'd rinse outside first too.

 

[3KillerBs]

Is there a particular reason you're not letting mama and her babies mingle with the flock?

 

[citychicks99]

Is there a particular reason you're not letting mama and her babies mingle with the flock?

Mama is still a pretty new addition. I kept her in the cage for two weeks when we first got her. Shortly after letting her out, she started brooding. The other chickens still pick on her, including the one she came with! I'm afraid they might still try and pick on her. Especially one of my hens, who gets territorial about food. I'm worried she might eat all their food. I made the mistake of buying two different feed for them and I want her to eat her designated feed. It's also raining constantly here.

 

[3KillerBs]

Mama is still a pretty new addition. I kept her in the cage for two weeks when we first got her. Shortly after letting her out, she started brooding. The other chickens still pick on her, including the one she came with! I'm afraid they might still try and pick on her. Especially one of my hens, who gets territorial about food. I'm worried she might eat all their food. I made the mistake of buying two different feed for them and I want her to eat her designated feed. It's also raining constantly here.

She and the babies are going to need space.

Any way to divide off a larger portion of the coop for them?

 

[citychicks99]

She and the babies are going to need space.

Any way to divide off a larger portion of the coop for them?

They're in the XL dog crate, which is 42.8" L X 28.7" W X 30.3" H.

I was planning on letting them out by week 3 or 4. If it wasn't for the weather, I'd let them out by week 2. Not sure how old they should be when out in the wet weather though.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I was planning on letting them out by week 3 or 4. If it wasn't for the weather, I'd let them out by week 2. Not sure how old they should be when out in the wet weather though.

Are there places where mom and babies can shelter from the rain? As long as chicks have options for places where they can go to stay dry, it should be fine. I brood outdoors and the brooder stays outside even with rains - my concession for that is to put up some plastic panels to sheet water away from the brooder.

 

[citychicks99]

Are there places where mom and babies can shelter from the rain? As long as chicks have options for places where they can go to stay dry, it should be fine. I brood outdoors and the brooder stays outside even with rains - my concession for that is to put up some plastic panels to sheet water away from the brooder.

Besides a tree, no. I think I will have to buy them a portable canopy.