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mbcarson

mbcarson

Hatching
6 Years
Oct 31, 2013
7
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7
I love this site! I have inherited 2 roosters, 12 hens and 3 ducks. I get approx 11 eggs per day. That's alot! I have a question on their yard/run. We have a heate lamp heated coop that has a chicken door to a dog run size yard. It is MUD right now. We have it partially covered and partially open for sunshine. What can we use in the run to prevent the mud? I was told DG, is that safe for them? Also, the ducks and chickens all get along great but is it ok to have them together? We are wanting to allow them to free range but I have fear of the coyotes out here.

Thank you:)
 
mbcarson said:
I love this site! I have inherited 2 roosters, 12 hens and 3 ducks. I get approx 11 eggs per day. That's alot! I have a question on their yard/run. We have a heate lamp heated coop that has a chicken door to a dog run size yard. It is MUD right now. We have it partially covered and partially open for sunshine. What can we use in the run to prevent the mud? I was told DG, is that safe for them? Also, the ducks and chickens all get along great but is it ok to have them together? We are wanting to allow them to free range but I have fear of the coyotes out here.

Thank you:)
Click to expand...
I won't be too much help, but I can say that SAND in the coop and run is the way to go! There are many links and discussions about using sand, and most people love it. I started with grass, started turning to mud, and brought in sand. It is the only thing I will use now.
Good luck!
 
mbcarson said:
I love this site! I have inherited 2 roosters, 12 hens and 3 ducks. I get approx 11 eggs per day. That's alot! I have a question on their yard/run. We have a heate lamp heated coop that has a chicken door to a dog run size yard. It is MUD right now. We have it partially covered and partially open for sunshine. What can we use in the run to prevent the mud? I was told DG, is that safe for them? Also, the ducks and chickens all get along great but is it ok to have them together? We are wanting to allow them to free range but I have fear of the coyotes out here.

Thank you:)
Click to expand...

I use a tarp with a pitch to it. We cover when it rains and pull back when it's dry. Works well for us and mud has not been an issue since we put it up.
 
Welcome to BYC!
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Happy you joined us!
 
Hello :frow and Welcome to BYC! X2 on the sand esp if you can't cover it, not sure what DG is? With the ducks and chickens, you might want to check the Managing Your Flock or the Duck boards.
 
Welcome! If one thing stresses me out, it is my birds being in wet muddy conditions! When visiting a "chicken lady" I noted immediately (upon exiting my car) that she had A LOOOOTTTT of birds, the second thing I noticed was it did NOT smell. Very deceiving!! :) As I toured her farm, I was able to ask many questions, and one was HOW does she keep it so clean and nice and not smelly with so many birds??? I assumed she must do a LOT of shoveling, daily. The answer was "no, no shoveling, except right under roosts". Her answer:

PINE STALL BEDDING (like for horses) is what she uses.

I have since learned it is the "Deep Litter Method", and I have been using it for over a year. WONDERFUL!!! Dry, happy pretty birds, no smelly yucky, and eh-hem, pretty easy. :)

My local feed store informed me that CLEAN BURN (as in for pellet stoves) is the same product but more for the money, has anyone else looked into that??
 

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