Newbie - with many questions

[rfeyer]

Good morning all,
Have been reading through BYC and theChickenChick for about 2 + weeks now and am amazed at the amount of information given, and the pleasantry in which it was supplied.

I do have MANY questions (maybe 6 or so), but my first would have to be on this forums rules and regs/ preferences:

Should I make a new thread for each question or just let loose in 1 thread?

My questions have to do with ventilation, sand, entry holes mainly

TY all in advance,

BTW - were we live, we still have some snow on the ground!

Rainer

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

You can make new threads for each question if you like! Welcome to BYC!

I use sand and love it. Make sure you use a mask when sifting with kitty litter scoop. I sift daily.

 

[rfeyer]

Howdy,TYVM for your reply - so, would you say it is preferred by the forum to make separate threads or combine? I actually would like to combine, but do not wish to offend

Rainer

 

[SwedishDude99]

When I first joined, I had a ton and I mean a TON of questions. When I had a couple of questions, I'd make a thread about it. Then when I had new questions, I'd make a different thread. You will want to go by category too. For example, if you have a question on coop entry holes and ventilation, you will want to post in the "coop and run - design, construction, and maintenance" section. If you have a question about your birds fighting, you would go to the "managing your flock section". This will just help you get answers quicker.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Howdy,TYVM for your reply - so, would you say it is preferred by the forum to make separate threads or combine? I actually would like to combine, but do not wish to offend

Rainer

You can put your questions in one thread if you want...if the list is too long though people might not address all the questions, is all!

 

[ronmauldin]

Welcome! I use pine shavings inside the coop and run (deep litter method). Better at odor control, I find than sand. I have a large plastic tub in the run filled with sand and diatamaceous earth for dust bathing (holes drilled in bottom for drainage).

 

[ducklucky]

I too find pine shavings are the best. Hay does not absorb as well and the droppings just sit there. Chickens seem to like it just fine, the ducks prefer hay for some reason, but I also always use fresh hay in the chickens nest boxes. When it gets dirty, you can just pick it up and toss it in a corner of the pen, nature takes care of it, or throw it between rows in the garden (never directly around the plants). The birds have a way of providing and giving us recyclable material, even the shavings when cleaning are fine to use between garden rows. Have not tried sand yet, I don't know, if I were a chicken, not sure if I would like it, but you will find out which they prefer. They will definitely let you know.

 

[ronmauldin]

Good point. I use straw on top of a little bit of pine shavings in the nest boxes. When I clean out the coop each week, I just move the shavings/straw and poop to one of my composers and from there to the garden or flower beds when ready. Recycling at it's best.

 

[rfeyer]

Wow, already I have answers - this is a great site - Thanks!!!

As for sand - I was going to use backyard sand as our land is literally almost all sand. But, as I was thinking (while stacking wood outside): probably too much mycelia/ fungi in there - could probably leave it above ground to sun dry. Other choice: buy it all clean - better choice, yes?
Sand versus organic/ compost pine: Hmmm - I am going to keep digging on this one. I have not really found much negative on either, and I usually look at (-) before (+) sides.

Again, you all are the best!

I will make a separate thread on my venting questions

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Wow, already I have answers - this is a great site - Thanks!!!

As for sand - I was going to use backyard sand as our land is literally almost all sand. But, as I was thinking (while stacking wood outside): probably too much mycelia/ fungi in there - could probably leave it above ground to sun dry. Other choice: buy it all clean - better choice, yes?
Sand versus organic/ compost pine: Hmmm - I am going to keep digging on this one. I have not really found much negative on either, and I usually look at (-) before (+) sides.

Again, you all are the best!

I will make a separate thread on my venting questions

I get a truckload of sand delivered. But I do buy small bags of very dry play sand at Home Depot to use in my nest boxes as I cannot have even a little moisture in there or it gets moldy.The washed sand that I buy is I think construction sand??? I am not sure. It lasts a very long time- the pile of it- I keep it covered with a tarp and sprinkle just a little bit on the floor in my shed coop every day (I keep a bucket handy)- rake daily and use kitty litter scoop to get solids out. In my bantam coop I use a 2-3 inch layer and just sift that with the kitty litter scoop.

If it is a bit moist it tends to dry out when used in a thin layer. You will have to experiment to find out what is best for you. But wear a mask when sifting sand- it is VERY bad to get in your lungs.