How to make a pen ready for youngsters...

[SharW75]

I have four 16 week old peachicks that are going outside for the first time. The pen they are moving to has had only peafowl (and one guinea) in it for a couple years. The pen was built new for the peas, so there have never been chickens in it. The peas that were in it have been moved to a larger pen, but the ground has no grass. Is there anything I can do to "clean" the pen to make sure the babies stay healthy? I have diatomaceous earth, but I've heard that's bad for their lungs. I've raked it and cleaned all perches, etc. Anything else I can do? I do have meds on hand in case...

I should add that none of the peas I moved out ever had any kind of disease. All have been healthy, other than needing an occasional additional deworming.

 

[peafowl_Lover]

I would put a good layer of woodchips down on the ground if you are worried if there could be something in the ground. Once you routinely medicate them and they have enough space, they should be fine.

 

[SnackMeat]

I don't know if peacocks are like chickens or ducks, but I know chicks and ducklings can have a hard time if their bedding/brooder ground is only wood shavings. As they learn their environment, and put everything in their mouth, impacted crops can be more of an issue because they are young and don't know they shouldn't be eating wood chips. So, I sprinkle sand on my bedding. Not a lot but just enough to know they'll be getting some sand.


Though, I have also had ducklings be dumb enough to eat huge mouthfuls of sand directly out of the sand bag and have to take it away after they wouldnt stop.

If Peachicks have that similarity it might be something to consider.