Minnesota!

[scandiafowl]

Yeah, Sunday I did a quick cleanup, removing poop and changing out the hay and droppings on the shelves that most of the group likes to roost on.  

I've learned if I put down fresh hay, the droppings kind of hold it together and it comes off in one big disgusting mat, which I then go lay down in the garden. By spring it has broken down.  I won't do that after February for fear of burning the plants.

Goldie was ready to come out of the kennel at 4 am when I turned on her tiny light.  I will be able to let her out tomorrow for some "recreational time".   

Do you use hay under the roosts? It seems easier to clean than wood chips.

It seems that Goldie is perking up more? Are you still keeping her separate from the flock?

 

[lalaland]

Yeah, I use hay everywhere. I have a bag of shavings left over from chicks, thats the only time I use shavings. Hay is my favorite. It is dusty, but....as you know, nothing beats chickens for making dust anyway.

Chickens like scratching in it, pecking at it, eating seeds/whatever. I think it smells great when new hay gets put out.

I usually have a couple of bales stored in the coop, and the hens really work at eating the leaves and small grasses from the bales.

 

[scandiafowl]

We had volleyball league last night plus trying to put finishing touches on homemade Christmas gifts before the weekend.

Our flock is nutty as ever. Inga is still trying to be broody so she is going to broody jail tonight. She seems to have convinced a BA to try it too though she seems to be inconsistent as I have only had to boot here 2 times with a whole day between them.

In other news I though would be able to wait until spring to muck out my deep litter in coop #1 but I don't think so now. It is breaking down so quickly (which is good in one way) that I can barely keep it from compacting and adding new bedding lasts almost no time before it is 'absorbed'. might be a Saturday morning task for me this weekend.

I'm wavering on the deep litter method. Still want to spot clean when it gets too smelly.

Treated the gals last night to fresh kale with scratch grain mixed in. They really liked it.

 

[FoxyChicken]

I've been busy getting ready for Christmas. I made my dad's gift this past weekend and am still trying to put finishing touches on that, plus making food for my office party which is today, and trying to get the house ready because all of my family is coming up on Christmas Eve. I did finally get a tree and got the house decorated on Sunday. The house has just been a disaster with all the projects going on, but hopefully I'll get a good start on cleaning it this afternoon. I'm going to leave work as soon as our party is over today and won't come back until next week.

 

[holm25]

Would any of you be interested in a pair of blue muscovys??

 

[KlopKlop]

I'm wavering on the deep litter method. Still want to spot clean when it gets too smelly.

Treated the gals last night to fresh kale with scratch grain mixed in. They really liked it.

I have had zero smell issues with deep litter. If I slack on scrapping the poop board that is the only gross thing I have to deal with in the summer.

 

[Minniechickmama]

I don't like using hay or straw in the indoor pens, it is too difficult to clean out with the floor I have and when it all starts freezing in winter. Lala is right, it makes a big mat, and if it gets wet enough, it is a real PITA to try getting out. I do use straw in the outdoor runs for two reasons 1) it gives them something to scratch around in and keep them moving when it is cold, I even toss cracked corn in it to keep them busy, and 2) it gives them something softer to walk in than the cold, hard ground.
Pine shavings are my litter of choice. I have learned that some breeds don't scratch around in it as much, so I have to go in with my long handled garden cultivating tool and stir things up in those pens.
Which leads to my usual daytime sign off. Time to go tackle more cleaning and moving around of birds. You all have a good day.
A light dusting of snow here today from overnight, but the temps are still decent.

 

[scandiafowl]

My somewhat creative gift for my family is a calendar with photos of my chickens and chicken riddles. It was fun deciding which photos to use and picking out riddles that were kid-safe. Waiting until now earned me a 50% off sale at Shutterfly

 

[KlopKlop]

So DW was feeling a little Scroogey after devoting so much effort to decorating the nursing home and having to handle all the Christmas planning at her nursing home. She had mentioned early this year that she has always wanted a real Christmas tree. We haven't done any decorating at home yet and weren't really planning to. Well here it comes! KlopKlop saves Christmas!!

I stopped in at lowes for some supplies and they had some real trees left. And I snagged one and she loves it!!

And it doubles down right here... Look what kind of bargain skills I have

 

[scandiafowl]

So DW was feeling a little Scroogey after devoting so much effort to decorating the nursing home and having to handle all the Christmas planning at her nursing home. She had mentioned early this year that she has always wanted a real Christmas tree. We haven't done any decorating at home yet and weren't really planning to. Well here it comes! KlopKlop saves Christmas!!

I stopped in at lowes for some supplies and they had some real trees left. And I snagged one and she loves it!!

And it doubles down right here... Look what kind of bargain skills I have

Well done!