I used straw after I cleaned my coop out. I guess straw and hay is a no no collects mold I have read,. But I also added about four inches of dry sawdust on top, I let them stir it up. My coop stays dry, guess I'm lucky. Wet and muddy everywhere else on my property. I also read DE isn't all that it is cracked up to be on chicken chick look it up
Never used it before, and now don't plan to. But I might use it in my garden as a slug preventive.
Gramma - I have used chopped straw in my coop for the last 4 years with no problem. I think if the coop has enough air circulating and it doesn't get too hot, it's just fine. Same with DE. There are arguments for/against. I do dust my birds with as needed, but I will use insecticidal dust on week #1, DE week #2 etc. - I also sprinkle liberally in the coop. I haven't had but one bird noticeable lice so everyone got the same treatment, so I think as with all things it's ok as long as you don't overdo it.
Well now here we go again with the DE stuff.
I go by experience. I've used DE from the beginning. I have never seen cooties on my birds.
I believe as with anything it's how things are administered.
Some folks may just dust their birds while the cooties are running havoc on the roosts, in nest boxes and elsewhere.
Some folks may have coops that are just the right conditions for cooties and other things to grow. What I call "Petri dishes" for disease.
Some folks may mix their own feed which is up to keeping birds alive but not nutritiously healthy.
Some folks like Sevin even though it's a carcinogen and has been banned in some countries. It's a bee killer.
Some folks think organic is a gimmick and Rachel Carson was full of hot air.
Some folks will believe what they want.
Some folks will always dispute the science of a matter if it mean dollars in their pockets.
I have my system of husbandry and so far it seems to work. I also believe that there are some here who push chemical feeds and put down natural and organic methods because they have an agenda. Point blank they work for the companies that make these poisons. I don't trust them. The chemical industry has been pushing its agenda since the early 1900's. I have an article an early Agricultural newspaper around 1919.
You see what you want to see and you hear what you want to hear. You dig? Rock Man (the land of point)
Beer I'm not sure what this
means, but you're entitled to believe what you want. It's okay. I respect that. If you're system of husbandry works for you and your birds I'm happy.
Peace,
Rancher
Sometimes it's a no just for Roos - the city of Albany allows hens but not roosters, out in the boonies where we are, anything goes, but the next village over recently passed ordinances against both chickens and goats. (Although they are still OK in the town)
