New chick owner wondering about coop set up

[corthendo]

Hello all,
I’m a new chicken mama, they are two weeks old. We pick up our coop this week and I want to be prepared to have everything set up correctly. I’m curious what to use in the run itself. My husband excavated our yard so it’s just straight dirt right now. I’m planning on using hemp bedding in the coop itself. But I want to know everything I need to do as far as grit, dust bath, calcium source. Thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

As far as run, we really need a lot more information, like what's your general climate or location, how is drainage at the run location and does water pool there, is the run covered or uncovered.

Grit and calcium are simple, buy it and put it in a cup somewhere and the chickens can help themselves to it. I use parrot cups hung on the wall of the coop:

As far as grit, this should help you with sizing grit. Assuming you have all standard sized birds, chick grit is good for up to around 6-8 weeks or so. I then offer both grower and layer grit from 8 weeks+ so they can choose the sizes they like.

Dust bath, the birds can excavate their own holes to bathe in if you have suitable soil for them to access. Or you can provide a bath otherwise. Because I get a lot of rain I have a covered plastic sandbox for a dustbath, and I fill it with peat moss. Plain top soil can also be used. A little sand or wood ash are also possible mix ins.

 

[corthendo]

As far as run, we really need a lot more information, like what's your general climate or location, how is drainage at the run location and does water pool there, is the run covered or uncovered.

Grit and calcium are simple, buy it and put it in a cup somewhere and the chickens can help themselves to it. I use parrot cups hung on the wall of the coop:

View attachment 3517589

As far as grit, this should help you with sizing grit. Assuming you have all standard sized birds, chick grit is good for up to around 6-8 weeks or so. I then offer both grower and layer grit from 8 weeks+ so they can choose the sizes they like.
View attachment 3517591

Dust bath, the birds can excavate their own holes to bathe in if you have suitable soil for them to access. Or you can provide a bath otherwise. Because I get a lot of rain I have a covered plastic sandbox for a dustbath, and I fill it with peat moss. Plain top soil can also be used. A little sand or wood ash are also possible mix ins.
View attachment 3517597

Sorry I should have specified, we live in Washington so it’s extremely rainy. The run is uncovered for now but I’m assuming in the fall we will have to cover it to help combat the muddiness. It’ll be on a bit of downhill slope so I’m hoping that will help the drainage too.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Sorry I should have specified, we live in Washington so it’s extremely rainy. The run is uncovered for now but I’m assuming in the fall we will have to cover it to help combat the muddiness. It’ll be on a bit of downhill slope so I’m hoping that will help the drainage too.

Well you're in my neck of the woods. Yes the soil can easily turn to mud without some form of litter, and I previously had severe mud issues despite the fact that the soil drains well at my location. My run is netted over, but no other covering.

I use deep litter for my run. Ideally start with a base of coarse aged wood chips for aeration and drainage, and add in other organic matter like dried leaves, grass clippings, garden trimmings. It has the bonus of yielding compost if you like to garden.

 

[corthendo]

Well you're in my neck of the woods. Yes the soil can easily turn to mud without some form of litter, and I previously had severe mud issues despite the fact that the soil drains well at my location. My run is netted over, but no other covering.

I use deep litter for my run. Ideally start with a base of coarse aged wood chips for aeration and drainage, and add in other organic matter like dried leaves, grass clippings, garden trimmings. It has the bonus of yielding compost if you like to garden.

I’m in SW Washington, Camas I was thinking the deep litter method is probably the best way to go. I will go that route then, thank you.