Hi! I'm new to the forum. I've had only a single hen, one at a time for the last 5 years. I did purchase a clutch of 6 Rhode Island Red chicks 2 years ago, and sold the 5 roosters when they got to be 7 months old. They were gorgeous!...and really mean. It took my dog, Rose, who was then still a puppy, to drag them each by the tail and help me load them up to take to the auction. I kept their sister, who is currently on an egg laying strike! (I don't use extra lights in the winter. Don't worry about her--she's fat and sassy!!)
I just ordered 10 Rhode Island Red chicks, expected to be in by March 25th. Here's my dilemma: In researching plans to plan a coop and a tractor, I came across the following article about painting the coop with lime.
http://tinyfarmblog.com/liming-the-chickenhouse/
What do you'll think? Should I lime the inside...and the outside? Not at all?
The article suggests re-liming every year. My chicken, Fanny, is happy in her converted 3 x 4 x 4 rabbit hutch, which sits in the middle of my horse barn. I inherited it with an unwanted rabbit. When he died I took the time to cover any dangerous (to chickens) rabbit wire, and painted it with 3 coats of exterior paint, including an extra coat to the feet.
I'm torn and need some advice. How about it, BYCers?
I just ordered 10 Rhode Island Red chicks, expected to be in by March 25th. Here's my dilemma: In researching plans to plan a coop and a tractor, I came across the following article about painting the coop with lime.
http://tinyfarmblog.com/liming-the-chickenhouse/
What do you'll think? Should I lime the inside...and the outside? Not at all?
The article suggests re-liming every year. My chicken, Fanny, is happy in her converted 3 x 4 x 4 rabbit hutch, which sits in the middle of my horse barn. I inherited it with an unwanted rabbit. When he died I took the time to cover any dangerous (to chickens) rabbit wire, and painted it with 3 coats of exterior paint, including an extra coat to the feet.
I'm torn and need some advice. How about it, BYCers?
