NY chicken lover!!!!

[Tough Old Bird]

One more thought on the fox question.

Keep in mind that foxes have kits now. Unless the fox is a nuisance individual, I would hope you would consider avoiding trapping or shooting it this time of year. Just my 2 cents. I do understand the worry over your flock, but having kits starve seems inhumane.

TOB

 

[Tab's chicken obsession]

I've been running like crazy the past few days and will have to catch up later. Hope everyone had a good weekend and past few days.

Does anyone remember the correct dosage of eprinex for large fowl birds?

 

[Lynzi777]

TOB - if you had asked me last year if I kept my runs clean I probably would have said no seeing as how they all free range. This year? So far with all this rain? I've put mulch down in the bigger girls run because about 2 inches of mud was in there from all the rain. It's wet in there, but at least it's not muddy. I'm tempted to do the same with the Silkie coop/run soon.

 

[Tough Old Bird]

I do not think anyone is trying to tell you that you are not a good mom. People around here think with their fingers. And then the "problem" takes on a life of it's own and gets totally off the intent of the original poster's vent/rant/question. If you read the replies to ANYONE'S question or problem the discussion some how winds up how we wouldn't "do that" or "allow that" cuz yadda yadda yadda. Chicken problem, family problem, dog problem. We are just a chatty bunch who think with our fingers and no one is trying to say that you or your daughter did anything wrong. Please don't think that they are....and if it turns out they are? Tell me who. I'll go get them for you.

We are all here to support each other as we raise THINGS. (this thread doesn't seem to be limited to chickens....we are all raising things of all kinds)

(Please take a second to read and digest the replies to Jlaw's dog problem and you will see what I mean. Keep posting whatever you need feedback on and we'll make sure you get your fill. LOL)

As always, Cass shoots from the hip and speaks honestly. And if I offended with my opinion on youngsters and dating, then know that was not my intention. As a parent for 15 years, I have had many ups and downs and challenges. Parenting is a 24/7 job full of worry, angst and lots of new territory...but it's the best job on earth. I'm sure you are doing a great job with your own kids, and no one knows them better than you. Please don't feel like you can't share your personal concerns.

TOB

 

[Tough Old Bird]

TOB - if you had asked me last year if I kept my runs clean I probably would have said no seeing as how they all free range. This year? So far with all this rain? I've put mulch down in the bigger girls run because about 2 inches of mud was in there from all the rain. It's wet in there, but at least it's not muddy. I'm tempted to do the same with the Silkie coop/run soon.

Yeah, I'm considering mulch, but even with that, how do you keep it clean? Or do you just kind of do a deep litter thing in there and clean it all out once in a while? It's the accumulation of poop that I'm worried about, especially with the wet weather. Thx.

TOB

 

[Lynzi777]

Well again, mine are out all day. But even with it getting slightly messy, I plan on taking a rake to it and just moving it around and mixing it up. They go in there to eat and sleep. So it isn't too messy but I plan on stirring it up now and them.

 

[ChickPrincess]

I can never keep up with everyone here, just checking in once a day (as is all I've been able to do lately). My 85-year old mom had one cataract removed and a lens implant yesterday. She did well. I take her back in tomorrow for a check-up to check the eye, and also to her cancer specialist (she is a breast cancer survivor). I pray all goes well.

Going from memory on some of the posts I've been reading:

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBER MOUNTAIN DOG (Terry) & ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS JOINED OUR COOP!

This site is a great resource and we have such a friendly group willing to share info! They've helped me out tons.

Breella - your roof covering your run is great. I am planning on putting up some of that corrugated plastic sheeting myself. Just haven't gotten to it yet.

Lynzi - you did a good job teaching your daughter appropriate and gracious manners when receiving a gift.

Don't 2nd guess your mothering instincts and don't apologize for being strict. We need more loving yet firm moms and less of those trying to be their kids' best friends. I don't recognize this world we live in anymore, and part of the reason is lack of good parenting and parental examples.

County Boy - ohhh, that little Frizzle is too stinkin' CUTE!


Can't remember who started using a radio in or near their coop to deter predators, but we do this at the horse barn just to be safe. It's a relatively safe and inexpensive deterrent.



OK - NOW I HAVE A QUESTION. How do you folks keep your runs clean? Not the coop, but the run. Mine is on bare ground with just a little grass. Mostly dirt. Of course right now, that dirt is very wet! Luckily, it's not squishy mud, but nevertheless, it's messy. The chicken poop is very hard to clean from the ground. I try my best to rake it up every couple of days and dispose of it. Do you folks like to put bedding out in the run as well? Just trying to get a good routine down for healthy pen maintenance.

And lastly, a quick update on my chickies. All are well, but still separated. I'm getting down to a time when I will be forced to put them together, as we will start to make long weekend trips away and I can't expect a neighbor to be jockeying them around like I do now. I do try to get everyone rotated outside for fresh air and exercise.


TOB

We have our radio outside the coop/run area, but it's closeby. Our electric box sits up on a plastic wagon and I cover the box and the radio with a plastic rubbermaid box turned upside down to keep the rain out.
As for the run, when it gets too much poop in it I hose it down until it all dissipates. I use the power sprayer on the garden hose.

I have to add that my run is on slanted land, so there's no standing water. It's wet while it's raining, but even after a heavy rain it's dry and the poop is gone and run off into the grass which is outside of the run.

 

[ChickPrincess]

I've been running like crazy the past few days and will have to catch up later. Hope everyone had a good weekend and past few days.

Does anyone remember the correct dosage of eprinex for large fowl birds?

I used .5ml for my birds.

 

[armorfirelady]

Squish

Squish goes my lawn, runs & coops. I've had enough rain for the summer.

TOB I use shavings in my enclosed run and use the DL method. I just stir them up once a week or so. It has a roof over it so its pretty dry even with the rain. But the tots are able to get out of the run into a fenced area also so there is not a ton of poop in there. When the tots are big enough to go out with the big girls all the shavings/ DL will go in the compost pile

 

[miquwid]

and one of my wife and I

Love the costumes!!!

TOB I clean out the poop from my run and put it in my compost, it's so wet I've put down straw and the girls do great.

Jlaw I wish you well with the dog. I took in a dog recently and it definitely has its ups and downs. But that's usually how I get my animals. I have a helpful program in the city to help me with this third dog, and then we will find a trainer. She gets spayed Thursday so I'm excited about that.

Well my one slow growing chick has taken a turn for the worse and my ancona chick passed. My faverolle, brabanter, and welsummer chicks are the three remaining of the babies and they are doing great. So I hope all goes well after that. I understand the ups and downs when it comes to chickens. At least the weather is going to get better. I'm sad so I'm gonna finish my homework and go to bed.

Take care all and good night!