Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[wingstone]

Dhetzel, you know the saying, pics or it didn't happen

I don't make a habit of skulking around the farm looking for photo ops like that.

The free ranging roos that don't have what it takes to interest a hen are a sad and lonely bunch. Periodically, I go grab the biggest and ugliest ones for eating, giving the younger ones a chance to move up the "romance ladder". Just haven't done that for a while.

It is always those unexpected moments that make the best pics,
I wish I could free range like that, between the road and the father in law that is impossible

 

[wingstone]

So had a bad day at work... came home this morning and things got better... having rain so am able to start burning the scrap wood pile.

The meaties figured out how to get out of the rain on their own in the chicken wagon.

Made arrangements to pick up hatching eggs for our two setting broodies on Thursday...

Spent some time watching chicks of all ages in the coop and yard.

And I am now sitting in the back of my suv with the hatch up while it rains, keeping an eye on the fire with the dogs...who aren't doing much to keep me company!!

I see good wood in that pile
Love the look of the sand in the coop, wish I could make that work but I rely on straw for insulation in the winter

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Speaking of sand, how many of you use it for bedding? I definitely like the idea better than stinky shavings and straw.

 

[GR Chicks]

Speaking of sand, how many of you use it for bedding? I definitely like the idea better than stinky shavings and straw.

I am interested in knowing that also....I use pine and would love to know who likes sand better, and why?

 

[fisherlady]

I see good wood in that pile
Love the look of the sand in the coop, wish I could make that work but I rely on straw for insulation in the winter

Sorted through 4 piles of building materials, new and used... some of the used had just too much wrong when I did a close inspection for me to trust it for a structure, unfortunately I don't have room to store 10 foot boards with 2 or 3 good feet of wood for small projects or I would.

My coop is elevated and the floor is insulated...otherwise I wouldn't be able to use sand either, but I do love it, so future coops will be built the same so I can still use it.

 

[fisherlady]

It is awesome but the floor has to be dry. So won't really work if floor isn't at least elevated on a 2x4 framework with plywood or something similar.
It doesn't provide any warmth or insulation value so insulation in the floor is a big plus in our cold weather.

I find it very easy to clean and the birds love being able to dust in it even on the worst weather days. And I can toss scratch out for the broodies and chicks also.
I think it is why no cocci or pasty butt in any broody hatches also. And our birds get no vaccines or medicated food either.

 

[wingstone]

I see good wood in that pile
Love the look of the sand in the coop, wish I could make that work but I rely on straw for insulation in the winter

Sorted through 4 piles of building materials, new and used... some of the used had just too much wrong when I did a close inspection for me to trust it for a structure, unfortunately I don't have room to store 10 foot boards with 2 or 3 good feet of wood for small projects or I would.

My coop is elevated and the floor is insulated...otherwise I wouldn't be able to use sand either, but I do love it, so future coops will be built the same so I can still use it.

I tried the sand in the past, the insulation in the floor might be the key,,,I loved within the summer but had to remove it and go back to straw for winter, my coops are not heated and with the birds body heat and straw I can keep water thawed better, wasn't working with the sand.

It does look and smell so much better with the sand

 

[dheltzel]

I tried the sand in the past, the insulation in the floor might be the key,,,I loved within the summer but had to remove it and go back to straw for winter, my coops are not heated and with the birds body heat and straw I can keep water thawed better, wasn't working with the sand.

It does look and smell so much better with the sand

I like sand for the outdoor runs and deep litter for inside. Well, as deep as I can make it, it's not always deep enough, but I try.

 

[wingstone]

I tried the sand in the past, the insulation in the floor might be the key,,,I loved within the summer but had to remove it and go back to straw for winter, my coops are not heated and with the birds body heat and straw I can keep water thawed better, wasn't working with the sand.


It does look and smell so much better with the sand

I like sand for the outdoor runs and deep litter for inside. Well, as deep as I can make it, it's not always deep enough, but I try.

I need to leave for work but we must talk more on this subject, the only time I tried sand outside it turned into one big cement pile...

 

[OneMountainAcres]

I'd like to know about the sand also. I was planning on doing deep litter in the coop and run but what makes sand a good choice and how often do you have to clean it and how?