Newbie Questions: chickens making concrete garden a mess, how do I stop this?

[skywalker786]

Hi

I Recently I brought 2 chickens and have let them out on my concrete garden, half the garden has been partition with a gate so the chickens don't eat the vegetables.

I let them out recently in the large concrete area for two days, within two days the whole area has been covered with smelly droppings which has made it hard to walk in our garden. Their are droppings everywhere, we have to tip toe to get around the garden.

What can I do, Please advise?

Thanks
S

 

[wiredfrog10]

This will sound kinda funny but if you don't want them pooping everywhere you can buy chicken diapers. Or you can let them roam where you can allow them to fertilize.

 

[foreverlearning]

Hose the garden down to wash it away and don't give them access again.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

You can lay down sand or even wood shavings. All that poop around is not good for them to be in and cement will be hard on their foot pads and leg tendons. I love sand. It stays dry, keeps the poop from smelling, the flies don't come around, it is easy to clean and really good for their foot pads. Here is a great thread on sand...how it all works and where to get it...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/444759/got-sand-you-should

Good luck with your flock and welcome to ours!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! X2 chickens are just going to poop, unless you diaper them you are either going to have to keep them out of it, or put something down to help you deal with the poop.

 

[gander007]

 

[drumstick diva]

Where did you want them to potty? You could make them an enclosed area away from your concrete garden.

 

[MS Rooster Cogb]

Wow all that free fertilizer how blessed we chicken owner are. The only way to stop the chickens is to make them a separate run or fence in your garden. Don't think chickens can be potty trained.

 

[skywalker786]

Thank you for all your replies,

I had some further questions which I read in previous posts about adding sand
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/444759/got-sand-you-should/50:

Q1, The post suggests to add sand. Can this be replaced with the bedding which I use currently, see bedding link below:

http://www.molevalleyfarmers.com/mv...:39483422921&gclid=CJbkx6HNv70CFaoewwodK6UAVA

Q2. Can the sand be recycled, and used again & again by removing the poo? currently I was told by the farmer to replace the bedding once a week.

Q3. What type of sand do I use? can I use any normal cheap sand from B&Q?

Q4. I currently use chicken straw bedding in the nest box and under the perch is the advice to replace this with sand as well?

Q5. Also kind people on this forum are suggesting the chicken poo is a good fertiliser. Do I just chuck the chicken poo in the soil and the fertilisation takes care of itself?.

Thanks again
S

 

[foreverlearning]

Thank you for all your replies,

I had some further questions which I read in previous posts about adding sand
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/444759/got-sand-you-should/50:

Q1, The post suggests to add sand. Can this be replaced with the bedding which I use currently, see bedding link below:

http://www.molevalleyfarmers.com/mv...:39483422921&gclid=CJbkx6HNv70CFaoewwodK6UAVA

Q2. Can the sand be recycled, and used again & again by removing the poo? currently I was told by the farmer to replace the bedding once a week.

Q3. What type of sand do I use? can I use any normal cheap sand from B&Q?

Q4. I currently use chicken straw bedding in the nest box and under the perch is the advice to replace this with sand as well?

Q5. Also kind people on this forum are suggesting the chicken poo is a good fertiliser. Do I just chuck the chicken poo in the soil and the fertilisation takes care of itself?.

Thanks again
S

Sand, sand, I love sand! I use cheap play sand ($2usd for a 50# bag) and make sure it comes in a paper bag because the stuff in the plastic bag has too much moisture in it. Any sand really will work but remember the finer the sand the more the dust is in a dry area. If I could get it by the truck load from a query I would. I have 2 ways that I clean, one is a kitty litter scoop inside the coop and the other is a rake for around the outside of the coop. You don't have to change sand, just scoop the poop out. On average once every 6 months I have to add a bag or two to the entire area as a little comes out while scooping and them walking out of the area. I prefer sand for the nest boxes because sense I have started it there I have not gotten a dirty egg and the sand is easy to brush off if it sticks at all. Chicken poop needs to be composted because of it's high nitrogen level unless you are using it on something like banana plants (they require a lot of nitrogen).