NY chicken lover!!!!

[rancher hicks]

We're having the same problem with our waterer. Last year, I did raise it up with a wooden platform, but this year, the smallest chick (silkie) is a LOT smaller than the biggest chick and the minimum I would need to raise the waterer would be too tall for the silkie.

I saw on here once...I can't remember where though...somebody had built a brood box that was set up in such a way that the waterer and feed trough were not on the shavings. They were on chicken wire, I think, or something like that...so the chicks could eat and spill food to their little hearts content and it would just fall underneath the wire...and no shavings could be kicked in.

I wish I could find that setup again. Because when I design my next brood box, it will totally be set up that way.

I put a flat rock on one side next to my waterers for my Frenchy to climb up on since she's smaller than the others. In the brooder you could do the same thing.

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Morning all. Looks to be another beautiful day. Enjoyed some chicken therapy last night. Always good for the mind and soul. Brats were antzy to get out. Little monsters were racing all over this morning. One of the boys thought it would be cool to grab the skin on my hand and yank. He wasnt expecting a good rap on the head for his efforts. Ran away screaming like I tried to kill him or something. Silly babies. Have some coops to clean today to freshen them up. Always something to do.

Ta for now

 

[wny egger]

So sorry about your hens. I had a baby fox hanging around this morning. No mom or other babies in sight. This was around 10 am. Needless to say the gun is standing by and the trap is going out.

wow that is either a really big log or a very small fox..lol..i had a neighbor tell me i had a fox tracking back and forth in front of the coop last week ..i guess its been hanging around a feww weeks now ..waiting for the neighbors to tell me ever since i got chickens ,that its causing the wild life to come around..they would b--ch about anything i do ..so i smooshed her over with some eggs ..and thank her for the heads up ..

 

[Sally8]

Have heavy ceramic pot ? it raises it so not as many shavings , etc get in the water

What a great idea! I had a horrible migraine yesterday and missed everyones visits. I try to keep all holidays (except Christmas and Easter) down to a dull roar. Way too much money is put into gift giving. A simple Happy Birthday, Mothers Day, etc said is just fine with me. With all that being said, Why do i always get excited hatching chicks and now that i'm at the end, i can't wait to get them all out in pens. The dust from the babies in the bathroom is awful and the juvi's need to be off the back porch. The switch needs to happen this week for my sanity. Today is turning out to be another beautiful day!

 

[Sally8]

Now that spring/summer is here does anyone hose their coops out? Or any better idesa other than sweeping the coops out? This year the Silky coop has been very dusty. Only 7 chickens in a 8x10 coop and another 8x10 run attached. Its not too small for that many. What do you all do?

I leave the deep litter in and i take most out but not all so hosing really would'nt work but its really bad. Even with sweeping a few times.

 

[rancher hicks]

Now that spring/summer is here does anyone hose their coops out? Or any better idesa other than sweeping the coops out? This year the Silky coop has been very dusty. Only 7 chickens in a 8x10 coop and another 8x10 run attached. Its not too small for that many. What do you all do?

I leave the deep litter in and i take most out but not all so hosing really would'nt work but its really bad. Even with sweeping a few times.

While I would like to do it, I just can't see it being dried by nighttime. Even on a 90* day it seems to me it would take some time to dry in all the crooks and grannies.

 

[horsekeeper]

Now that spring/summer is here does anyone hose their coops out? Or any better idesa other than sweeping the coops out? This year the Silky coop has been very dusty. Only 7 chickens in a 8x10 coop and another 8x10 run attached. Its not too small for that many. What do you all do?

I leave the deep litter in and i take most out but not all so hosing really would'nt work but its really bad. Even with sweeping a few times.

I have an old broom that retired to the coops and I dip it into a bucket of water to help gather the dust off the ceiling and walls. That way you are not saturating the wood. Also have a little hand brush to get into the corners and cracks that can be wet and rinsed in the bucket.

 

[Aria]

Sally, We have 10 Silkie Chickens and one Silkie Rooster. AND we are hatching. Miss Blue
our Silkie hatched 5 new chicks.

We do deep hay litter and once or twice a year we take all the hay out and use it as a mulch
on our flowers. Then we hose it down. Wash and scrub with broom the whole Coop. Let it dry with doors and windows open. Try to select a day that is warm and sunny (like today) and
then put all new hay.

Our Silkies are healthy and happy. Regards, Aria

 

[dragonlord483]

Might be borrowing an incubator to rebuild my flock hope I can and hope not to many Roosevelt if I can

 

[Gramma Chick]

Might be borrowing an incubator to rebuild my flock hope I can and hope not to many Roosevelt if I can

Are you coming to the picnic ...chicks will be there

Now that spring/summer is here does anyone hose their coops out? Or any better idesa other than sweeping the coops out? This year the Silky coop has been very dusty. Only 7 chickens in a 8x10 coop and another 8x10 run attached. Its not too small for that many. What do you all do?

I leave the deep litter in and i take most out but not all so hosing really would'nt work but its really bad. Even with sweeping a few times.

I have never hosed ...as my coop /run is all deep litter . doesnt get dusty ...does get cobwebs , though
When I take out deep litter I let it air dry a bit before adding more fresh litter