Investing More In American Dominiques

[centrarchid]

Currently 2 inch gravel. A wooden frame and mat of some sort will be placed below pens. I am considering the use of sand over the mat. The pens will not be in direct contact with gravel or the matrix over the gravel. This is intended to make cleaning easier.

 

[Mrs. K]

oh, good, I was wondering if they would get sore footed on that.

 

[centrarchid]

I have seen chickens kept basically on gravel with no ill effects. They are to light to suffer same problems we do. Problems more a function of organic matter and bacteria buildup.

 

[donrae]

 

[aart]

I Know, Right!?!?!

 

[donrae]

I know you're not supposed to covet, but man that's nice!

 

[centrarchid]

First group of birds goes in tonight. They will have to roost on aw horses for first few nights until I can get better roosts in.

 

[Mrs. K]

Good luck!

 

[aart]

I know you're not supposed to covet, but man that's nice!

Well, we can admire without coveting. ;-)

First group of birds goes in tonight. They will have to roost on aw horses for first few nights until I can get better roosts in.

I'm sure your bird will be fine on sawhorses....tho they might kinda 'clash' with the new digs..haha!
But, hey, function over form.

 

[smorris]

Congratulations on having such a beautiful new barn for your chickens. I have a suggestion if you are debating what to put on the floor of your coops. I have been using washed construction sand in my coops and it was one of the best decisions I made when building my coop. Because it is washed you won't have the dust issue and it is really easy to keep clean. The waste from the chickens will ball up almost like cat litter. I just go in twice a day with a small rake and a dog pooper scooper and pick up the poop in the same way you would cat litter. It works really well and I am able to keep my coops very clean for the birds and it is a really easy clean up. Good luck!