My first Chicken Coop and I have a few questions....???

[Bethel3330]

Thanks for reposting that, thechickenflock. I had read that also but couldn't remember the details.

 

[Michael OShay]

Thanks for the tips! Today my husband put a type of chicken wire with holes about 1" x 1 1/2" and he made it a continuos loop so nothing can dig to get to them. Im just wondering if the holes are too big? The sand in there is play sand from when my kids used it. I assume they can go all night without food and water, they are 7 weeks? Sorry so many questions this is our first time

I would not use chicken wire as there are just too many predators that can either tear through chicken wire (raccoons, opossums, etc.) or go through the holes in chicken wire (weasels, rats, minks, etc.). You should use 1/2 inch hardware cloth.

 

[Michael OShay]

I would fill the sandbox with dirt. What an excellent ready made place for dustbaths!
I keep water inside and out, dry feed free choice outside and their meals outside in the morning, inside if I'm late or during bad weather in the evening.

Wood ash (in a big, flat box of some kind) makes excellent dust baths for the chickens.

 

[thechickenflock]

Wood ash (in a big, flat box of some kind) makes excellent dust baths for the chickens.

Especialy if you mix it with a little DE