INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[itsjustme]

Can someone tell me if it would be ok to put all my hens that have babies in a tractor together? I have 1 that has babies who are about 3 weeks now. 1 hatched hers 2 days ago but refuses to come off the nest. And the 3 rd started hatching yesterday and she is still sitting also. The hens had always been together so they are use to each other. If I can't put them together I will have to brood the babies and turn the hens back out which I hate to do that to them. My only other option is kick everyone else out of the coop so they can have it. Im worried about my roos injuring or killing the babies or even the moms. I have 4 roos and theu were plucking my big hens bald so I caged them so they coukd have a brwak and hopefully grow some feathers back. I don't want alk 4 of them going after my 2 banty hens. Anyone have any suggestions? Or need a couple roos? Lol

 

[Crafty chick]

This is looking fantastic!!! We also put down some linoleum and I went with shavings. Going to try out the deep litter method and if I don't like that I may switch to sand at a later date.

.IMO don't use sand... once it's wet it's a mess. Use PDZ, it's siftable and takes the amonia smell right away. Also, they eat it and it strengthens their egg shells.

 

[Crafty chick]

I think Iwould only have the onne that just hatched hers out and the one that started yesterday together... that way they are all about the same age. They may share parenting responsibilities that way

 

[animallover2202]

I havve a chick that's very lathargic will electrolyte work she didn't absorb all of the yolk in her egg she seems alert she peeping and all but she's not walking she's falling to sleep if you have any info on how to help her please let me know

 

[CRSelvey]

.IMO don't use sand... once it's wet it's a mess. Use PDZ, it's siftable and takes the amonia smell right away. Also, they eat it and it strengthens their egg shells.

PDZ?? Can you tell me what that is?

 

[CRSelvey]

This is looking fantastic!!! We also put down some linoleum and I went with shavings. Going to try out the deep litter method and if I don't like that I may switch to sand at a later date.

I think your coop is looking really good too! I can't wait to have the inside finished like yours is. The day my chicks get out of the basement will be a joyful day.

CCCCCCCCHICKENS~ Thank you! I'm still debating. I was also thinking of painting the floor with a deck stain called Restore that is really grainy, so it won't be slippery but it might not be as easy to clean. Its what we are using on the walkway and all the posts for the coop and run and garden fence.

Pipd~ Thank you. I think I will go with the playground sand then. I am filling my kids sand box at the same time, so it will make the job more simple. Also, your little Rangi is just so cute.

Danand & Kiniska~ Thank you on behalf of my husband.

jchny2000~ Thank you. I think my son is having a really good time. My husband is just doing everything to get the two cockerels in the basement outside so that they can't crow while he's working. I'm pretty sure he wants to be in his hammock or on the golf course more, lol. I've been told that if I bring home one more chicken, we will be having a neighborhood barbeque.

Guess I will have to wait till next year, lol.

Mother2Hens~ Its a little drafty still, but she's welcome. Our 14 year old is trying to convince us its just her size. Also, thank you for the suggestions. I've been looking for the small litter boxes, but haven't found any in our town yet. I might have to wait till I go to Indy next time.

Those duck pics sure are cute. My son has been begging for them, but I don't know if they can live with the chickens.

 

[vickichicki]

PDZ?? Can you tell me what that is?

It is a sandy looking product that soaks up moisture and helps control ammonia..
Here is a link to the PDZ website..http://sweetpdz.com/
And also the link to TSC where you can buy it. http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...ory_rn=&top_category=&urlLangId=&cm_vc=-10005

I use it on my poop board. Although the girls like to bathe in it.
It helps dry up the poop and make it nice and scoopable. It can run expensive depending on how much you need. Do I think it is worth the money... I do

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

I've never had a problem with the sand in my coop getting wet... I guess it depends on how sheltered it is?


CRSelvey, Sweet PDZ is a bedding additive for horses that neutralizes ammonia, gets rid of the poo smell, and absorbs moisture. It's more expensive than sand, so I just add some to the sand in my coop and it works for me.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

I think your coop is looking really good too! I can't wait to have the inside finished like yours is. The day my chicks get out of the basement will be a joyful day.

CCCCCCCCHICKENS~ Thank you! I'm still debating. I was also thinking of painting the floor with a deck stain called Restore that is really grainy, so it won't be slippery but it might not be as easy to clean. Its what we are using on the walkway and all the posts for the coop and run and garden fence.

Pipd~ Thank you. I think I will go with the playground sand then. I am filling my kids sand box at the same time, so it will make the job more simple. Also, your little Rangi is just so cute.

Danand & Kiniska~ Thank you on behalf of my husband.

jchny2000~ Thank you. I think my son is having a really good time. My husband is just doing everything to get the two cockerels in the basement outside so that they can't crow while he's working. I'm pretty sure he wants to be in his hammock or on the golf course more, lol. I've been told that if I bring home one more chicken, we will be having a neighborhood barbeque.

Guess I will have to wait till next year, lol.

Mother2Hens~ Its a little drafty still, but she's welcome. Our 14 year old is trying to convince us its just her size. Also, thank you for the suggestions. I've been looking for the small litter boxes, but haven't found any in our town yet. I might have to wait till I go to Indy next time.

Those duck pics sure are cute. My son has been begging for them, but I don't know if they can live with the chickens.

Well I hope whatever you choose makes for an easy clean up, because I know sometimes cleaning the coop is a pain in the butt. I actually dont have a floor in my coop. Mine sits oon the ground and it just like a humongus box. It has a dirt floor and is covered in sawdust. But the horse stalls that I am converting into growout pens and breeder ens have concrete floors. I know the cincrete floorwill be a lot easier to clean or at least it was when I had horses.

 

[CRSelvey]

I've never had a problem with the sand in my coop getting wet... I guess it depends on how sheltered it is?


CRSelvey, Sweet PDZ is a bedding additive for horses that neutralizes ammonia, gets rid of the poo smell, and absorbs moisture. It's more expensive than sand, so I just add some to the sand in my coop and it works for me.

Do you have a waterer in the coop and if so is it the nipple kind? I'm just asking because you said you don't have a problem with wet sand. My chicks tip their hanging waterer all the time! I clean out thier mess daily now and am looking at alternatives. I think one was called the chicken fountain?