Thank you! Feels good to make progress!
Thank you! This is wonderful!leslea ~ Here's some basic info: Natural Chicken Keeping: Deep Litter Method
My coop/run has a dirt floor with rocks. I added fresh mulch (from my neighbor's tree that had to be removed), occasional pine shavings, and coarse sand.
As far as cleaning, it's not a big deal as long as you wear a mask and gloves. I do a complete cleaning in the fall and spring. I took a few photos as requested.
This is the part of the coop/run that I especially wanted to clean because I moved my five chicks there after I cleaned it, and I sectioned it off from the rest of the coop with screens.The hardware cloth "windows" are usually open during warm months, but they are still covered with clear vinyl (and there's some of my supplies leaning up against the coop). My coop is bolted to the back of the garage, so that's what the brick wall is (and there's even a real window between the garage and coop).
I used a snow shovel to remove large amounts of litter, which I put in garbage bags to transport to my compost.
I removed the perch and scrubbed it with vinegar, water, and a little Dawn. Rinsed it and put in the sun to dry.
I used a garden rake to dig up some new dirt from the bottom, which I mixed in with the old litter that I was keeping.
I also took a brush and a soft duster to clean off dust, cobwebs, and dirt from walls, rafters, hardware wire, etc.
I used a handheld steamer to go over all of the parts that I dusted and cleaned. It's not necessary to do that, but I had bought one when Tweedy had scaly leg mites.
I added some fresh pine shavings-- more than usual since the chicks were going to start sleeping there.
Sweet PDZ is mixed in as needed for odor control.
I plan to add more coarse sand, and I'm wondering about using sand pebbles. Does anyone who uses sand solely as deep litter or as an addition to deep litter have any insights/comments? I googled some options:
Tip: It is much less expensive per pound if purchased at a crushed stone quarry type of business, but I didn't need a huge quantity. CRSelvey purchased some from a quarry if anyone is interested in her experience.
So, here are my three Silkies and English Orpington Roo and Pullet after their new "bedroom" was ready. My DH and I have checked on them numerous times, and they are always standing up like, "We're ready to go back to our nice bedroom in the house. These accommodations are a bit rustic." I hope they decide to get some sleep!
Btw, I had to use a clamp light in that space, but it is wrapped with wire to hold all of the components together and the wire is wrapped around to secure it to a cross beam, plus I have wire wrapped around the guard to ensure that the bulb can't fall out. I have so much wire wrapped around that it looks like some kind of modern art sculpture. haha Meanwhile, my six hens are in the box part of the coop, and they didn't seem to care about the chicks, but they commented amongst themselves about the screens blocking that section. Not sure what they said, but they usually don't care for my redecorating ideas.
Thanks, I hadn't thought about that.
Thanks!that all sounds great to me I cant wait to go to my first Chicken Fest, we need T-shirts made up. maybe someone can have them made and sell thm to help cover cost of the barn rental or something???
I'm still new to the different breeds but the dark one looks like a BR to me?? And I have no ideal on the other. They are cute, as all chicks are, IMO.
Congrats.
I know but like you still upsets me, I got 2 pasty butts in the bunch, DH says he cant take me any where without coming home with sick or injured critters..Just cant help it. Have 2 ( not the pasty butt ones ) that I just don't know if they are going to make it. VERY tiny and I have not seen them move from the spot I put them in? Or maybe I just put them in a real good spot. but all they have done is sleep and the 1 keeps peeping, loudly. DH wants to grip about it ( we have not got a wink of sleep ) but its 1 that he picked out... lol It is 4:16 am right now, not unusual for me to be up checking on critters or feeding baby goat, but DH normally sleeps through the night. and he will be a Grumpy Gus all day now. and we re going to pick up 7 Does and 4 kids and buck today and 3 of them are said to be wild, so this is not going to be a fun day...
but just think your birds will love it and the coop it going up fast. When you start something you finish it that's for sure. Congrats you are doing a great job.
lol he picked out " 2 " and 1 of them is keeping us both up... this makes me 31 chicks and 8 adults and BCM on order from last winter due in 3 weeks OMG where am I going to put them all... lol but I do have to rehome some. Too many Roo's.
WelcomeBLRW are beautiful birds, good luck.
great job, and thanks for the steamer ideal, wish I could have thought of that when I was striping my coop and sanitizing everything. oh well now I know.
pretty birds
1 of my wish list birds,. I think they are Awesome.
My garden hose is always out, too much to roll and unroll every other day. I have a long way to get water to horses, goats and chickens... and my dogs when they are outside. Just less work if I just leave it out. I'm just lazy I guess.
We have been working on our yards too so know the feeling. Congrats on your eggs and good luck with your Hatch
Sorry to hear that, good luck at finding a replacement
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