new to chickens . . . run floor & more questions

[Ollivander_Chicken]

thanks! I was planning on doing a sand/diatomaceous earth dust bath in a kitty litter bin is this ok?

 

[ShanasCastle]

I don't even spread it out. I dump a pile of leaves in the run, and they jump in and start scratching. By the end of the day, it's spread all over the place.

Well now THAT sounds even better! . Put the critters to work, right? Right now my coop and run are attached and portable so they are on the grass right now and I just pick up and move the coop every few days so they have fresh everything. Then I rake up where they were and put it into a big pile! Once we move into the big permanent coop I think I'm going to give this deep-pile thing a try!! Thanks

 

[townchicks]

Yes, better for them too! Keeps them active and occupied. Too busy to be bullies or feather pickers.

 

[Ollivander_Chicken]

how high do you put the nipple waterers above the ground with 3 standard size chickens and the dl system?

 

[MissChick@dee]

Hiya nice to meet you!
Not knowing your setup is kinda hard. PHOTOS would be awesome!! You’ll get better feedback that way. I know its HOT this time of year. Normally what I have done is to put my newbies inside the coop with their food and water for at least 2 days so they recognize it as “Home” I don’t let them out. With that being said if I had to do it in this heat I would put up chicken wire on all the openings to keep them in. Picking them up at dusk and putting them in at night is a good option too. Please send photos we’d love to see your coop & chickens!!!

 

[Ollivander_Chicken]

Where I live, it doesn't get hot in the summer or cold in the winter. I will try to get photos but I don't know if I can.

 

[Ollivander_Chicken]

11.5 sq ft coop with a 55 sq foot run. the coop is raised about 3 ft off the ground and the nipple feeder is under the coop. this is for 3 pet/egg chickens

 

[MissChick@dee]

Where I live, it doesn't get hot in the summer or cold in the winter. I will try to get photos but I don't know if I can.

WHAT!!!!
where do you live?? I want to move there!!

 

[Ollivander_Chicken]

I live in the SF bay area

 

[MissChick@dee]

LOL...SF is pricy! I’d have to live in the coop