I'll try one more time.

[gendwk]

So you just let nature take it corse, and the dropping become fertilizer for the grass? I didnt know if that was sanitary enough...thanks for that info...

 

[J3172]

yea it should be good enough that's a lot of space foe each bird. I think if you put plant in the pen with that much space, and the right plants I would think the hens might even go broody. But they might not do what ever you think looks nice, and have fun with it. Good Luck

 

[JJMR794]

dig out the botom of the pen about 4 inches deep and replace with play sand--- drains better, harder for parasites to be persistant in, and can be easily raked (turned over) to clean. there are several bird specific sprays for sanitizing their housing/ pen areas. these can be used with the play sand pen floor.

once on the ground they will need to be started on a regular worming schedule as well.

 

[gendwk]

Quote:
Great advice thanks...what do you suggest to deworm how often ?? and and what do you suggest for disinfecting? What do you think about using Diatomatious Earth???

 

[J3172]

I asked the same thing put no one would answer me.

 

[JJMR794]

DE will clog up the play sand and instead of having nice drainage it will become a swamp. Deworming most recomend a schedule of every 3 months. any commercial chicken wormer will do or plain raw (unprocessed) pumpkin--- seeds peel and all. The premises sprays i would do the same time as worming. YOu can also use bleach water 1 cup/ gal of water and a pump sprayer--- allow to completely air dry before placing the birds back in. Cleaning the play sand is accomplished by a vigorous raking with a garden rake...

To be perfectly frank and honest, suspended up on wire is way easier than all this....


Send a pm to charlie (wilds of pa) --- He has several ground pens and extensive knowledge of keeping quail on the ground and ask him what the best course is!