"Louisiana "La-yers" Peeps"

[foreverlearning]

Christmas shopping is complete now that I have found a sonic screwdriver that will last with a 5 year old. My son asked me if the Doctor can visit Santa and give him a sonic screwdriver so that he can get it from Santa for Christmas. Do you know how long it takes to watch all of the new series of Doctor Who back to back? I do! Six 18 hour days! He has played them all over and over! Now he wants to start collecting the old series.

 

[foreverlearning]

I have been having the same troubles! It seems half like it one way and half like it another way. I have considered using those reusable/washable mats. But the sand sounds like a cheaper option. And if anyone drops a different kind of "present" I could just use a cat litter scoop, right? I have been trying to get this straightened out!!! If we don't collect eggs at least 2 times a day then we end up with some broken

But at least mine are laying the eggs IN the box and I am not having to play egg hunt like you.

Thanks for the sand suggestion kuntrygirl. Maybe I will try sand in one half and the wood shavings in the other half.

Yuppers! Plus, lice and mites hate sand!

 

[CackedNut]

I have sand in mine and they love it. I have to brush off a little sand every now and then but the eggs are clean otherwise. Plus, if you have any lip like I do on my nest boxes, they can't push it out. They can make that divit that they like and I no longer have to deal with broken eggs because they pushed all the shavings out before it dropped. If you buy sand, play sand is fine and make sure you get the stuff in paper bags not the plastic. It costs $2-3 for a 50# bag. The sand in the plastic tends to still be wet and requires drying out before placing in the nest box whereas the stuff in the paper bag is already dry and ready to go.

Thank you! Some days, I'm VERY special. I am embarrassed to admit this, but I have sand EVERYWHERE but in the nesting boxes.

Sometimes, I just seem to "have a moment" or a few moments... I will try putting sand in there. My husband keeps bringing me leftover river sand from his jobsites. I personally think he just enjoys dumping a tractor full into the coop and listening to the hens fuss at him. Then the girls play "king of the hill" until I get it spread out.

 

[CackedNut]

Yuppers! Plus, lice and mites hate sand!

SOLD!!! You said the L word!!

 

[CackedNut]

I have been having the same troubles! It seems half like it one way and half like it another way. I have considered using those reusable/washable mats. But the sand sounds like a cheaper option. And if anyone drops a different kind of "present" I could just use a cat litter scoop, right? I have been trying to get this straightened out!!! If we don't collect eggs at least 2 times a day then we end up with some broken

But at least mine are laying the eggs IN the box and I am not having to play egg hunt like you.

Thanks for the sand suggestion kuntrygirl. Maybe I will try sand in one half and the wood shavings in the other half.

I'm having the cracked eggs too. They even get crushed oyster shells. I think mine are from the fall into the wooden box. My one dog, Millie, gets so excited when I collect eggs, because she knows she's going to probably get one.

I also got to play "hunt the d*mn chicken" yesterday. Nobody wanted to go up yesterday, so I left them out until I had to go get the kids from school. Well, I got everyone up EXCEPT one (my EE Edna). She can be a real pip sometimes. Everyone HATES hay in the nesting box, but I guess it's different in the hay stall. I looked around, called and shook the treat container for 30 FREAKING MINUTES without a sound out of her!! I started looking for feather spots, because a hawk had to have gotten her?? One last look around the barn, I checked every corner of the hay stall and she had nested down in this REALLY tiny space between extra empty feed tubs and plywood for my next project. She was in there so tight I had to nudge her out. SHE was fussing at me as she FINALLY marched herself to the coop. I could just see having to explain to my 8 yr old that I had lost his chicken. But, all is well...THANK GOODNESS!

 

[bugglesmommy]

Christmas shopping is complete now that I have found a sonic screwdriver that will last with a 5 year old. My son asked me if the Doctor can visit Santa and give him a sonic screwdriver so that he can get it from Santa for Christmas. Do you know how long it takes to watch all of the new series of Doctor Who back to back? I do! Six 18 hour days! He has played them all over and over! Now he wants to start collecting the old series.

That's parenting done right there!

 

[kuntrygirl]

I feel your pain. I almost cried last week when I saw the same thing and heard all of the honking. I am NOT ready for pea season.

Is there a season at your place? I thought they breed all year 'round there.

You are so right. I'm still trying to recuperate from 2013 and now it's time to start all over again.

And don't forget the 100 broilers that will be arriving on January 8, 2014.

 

[kuntrygirl]

 
I've got a problem I need help with.  It's nothing major, but is very annoying!
I put pine shavings in the nesting box.  This seems to have put their world on its side!  A couple seem to like the shavings, and there are others that have pulled the shavings all out of the box.  They don't like hay either.  The big problem is that they have started laying eggs "around".  I am finding eggs on the floor of their run and in their coop on the floor.  Some of these eggs I am simply throwing away because I don't like the looks of them once I find them.

Does anyone have any suggestions?  All help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Laurie

I have been having the same troubles!  It seems half like it one way and half like it another way.   I have considered using those reusable/washable mats.  But the sand sounds like a cheaper option.  And if anyone drops a different kind of "present" I could just use a cat litter scoop, right?  I have been trying to get this straightened out!!!  If we don't collect eggs at least 2 times a day then we end up with some broken    But at least mine are laying the eggs IN the box and I am not having to play egg hunt like you.

Thanks for the sand suggestion kuntrygirl.  Maybe I will try sand in one half and the wood shavings in the other half.

You are welcome. I love sand. It's time for me to get more in the next few weeks.

 

[kuntrygirl]

 


I have sand in mine and they love it. I have to brush off a little sand every now and then but the eggs are clean otherwise. Plus, if you have any lip like I do on my nest boxes, they can't push it out. They can make that divit that they like and I no longer have to deal with broken eggs because they pushed all the shavings out before it dropped. If you buy sand, play sand is fine and make sure you get the stuff in paper bags not the plastic. It costs $2-3 for a 50# bag. The sand in the plastic tends to still be wet and requires drying out before placing in the nest box whereas the stuff in the paper bag is already dry and ready to go.

Thank you!  Some days, I'm VERY special.  I am embarrassed to admit this, but I have sand EVERYWHERE but in the nesting boxes.    Sometimes, I just seem to "have a moment" or a few moments... I will try putting sand in there.  My husband keeps bringing me leftover river sand from his jobsites.  I personally think he just enjoys dumping a  tractor full into the coop and listening to the hens fuss at him.  Then the girls play "king of the hill" until I get it spread out.

Don't feel bad. I'm embarrassed with you. Sand is ALL OVER THE PLACE in my chicken yard. It looks like the beach at my house. I tried putting sand in the nesting boxes but they hated it, so I had to take it out. :/

 

[CackedNut]

Don't feel bad. I'm embarrassed with you. Sand is ALL OVER THE PLACE in my chicken yard. It looks like the beach at my house. I tried putting sand in the nesting boxes but they hated it, so I had to take it out. :/

I know you have a lot of chickens, but is there a certain breed that you have more of? Or a favorite? We need to have a field trip to your place! The setup looks pretty neat.