Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[Lelanae]

Thanks everyone. Still here but eye infection, bronchitis, hoof rot, neither is castrated.

You need to report her for the sake of her other animals. Leave it to the investigating agency to figure out what the problem and solutions are. You will regret it if you don't.
I am speaking from experience--I visited a cattery in 1980--sweet little old lady--gorgeous cats--bad conditions. The cats haunt me still--I remember a red Persian named Drusilla who miscarried on the floor in front of me. We are talkng a long time ago and I remember that kitty's name.

 

[yoopergirl1211]

Glad you have them on the road to recovery...what information did you get about the lady you bought them from?

Not much I told them about it and that I was worried about the other animals. The receptionist is supposed to email me info to report her. I'm going to call her tonight and give her the list of things that wrong. Let's see eye infection a bad one, bronchitis, hoof rot, not castrated, and I'm guessing some kind of worm because they started eating like crazy after I wormed them. I liked the vet and my boys were so good. There was a great Dane and a St. Bernard there and they didn't even flinch.

 

[fisherlady]

Ok, before I go out and buy sand this weekend for the new run--is it really a good idea?  Right now the new run is straight mud, and is about 4' wide x 28' long.  It has ok drainage (because it's on a slight slope that runs down to the area where I have ponding), but no roof, and is very sloppy right now after all the work to put in the fence.  I am thinking of putting down about an inch of sand on top off the mud to start, just to soak up some of that moisture and improve drainage.  I want to get the chickens out there to start using the run, and don't want wait to order a truckload of sand for delivery, so I was just going to buy some bags from Home Depot.  But now I have been reading comments on BYC where some people say their sand never dries and gets stinky, and other people saying that if it mixes with the dirt then when it does dry it turns hard like a rock.  It seemed to depend a lot on climate--the people in hot dry places seemed to love sand, but people in cold, wet places had more mixed reviews.  I know some of you fellow Pennsylvanians have done sand in the run.  Will I regret it?    

I don't recommend sand in the run...it is great in a dry coop but all it does in a run is change mud to a sandy mud, unfortunately. I suggest investing in a fine gravel instead. Outline the base of the run with rot resistant wood such as treated 2×4s on their edges, landscape timbers or railroad ties, then fill in run with a couple inches of a fine (pea size chips) gravel.
This isn't the cheapest solution but for long term drainage and usability it is hard to beat.

 

[hyzenthlay]

I don't recommend sand in the run...it is great in a dry coop but all it does in a run is change mud to a sandy mud, unfortunately. I suggest investing in a fine gravel instead. Outline the base of the run with rot resistant wood such as treated 2×4s on their edges, landscape timbers or railroad ties, then fill in run with a couple inches of a fine (pea size chips) gravel.
This isn't the cheapest solution but for long term drainage and usability it is hard to beat.

Thanks, fisherlady! Would something like pea gravel work? I'm thinking of getting a load of that soon anyway, for some walkways. Maybe I could just put some leaf mulch down so they can use it in the meantime, then rake it out and put gravel.

 

[fisherlady]

All full of eggs . . . Lovely Lavender Ladies

These are gorgeous birds, one of my absolute favorite colors and those fluffy faces are just adorable! I just wish they were large fowl. I really don't need more broodies, either! Lol

 

[dheltzel]

Ok, before I go out and buy sand this weekend for the new run--is it really a good idea? Right now the new run is straight mud, and is about 4' wide x 28' long. It has ok drainage (because it's on a slight slope that runs down to the area where I have ponding), but no roof, and is very sloppy right now after all the work to put in the fence. I am thinking of putting down about an inch of sand on top off the mud to start, just to soak up some of that moisture and improve drainage. I want to get the chickens out there to start using the run, and don't want wait to order a truckload of sand for delivery, so I was just going to buy some bags from Home Depot. But now I have been reading comments on BYC where some people say their sand never dries and gets stinky, and other people saying that if it mixes with the dirt then when it does dry it turns hard like a rock. It seemed to depend a lot on climate--the people in hot dry places seemed to love sand, but people in cold, wet places had more mixed reviews. I know some of you fellow Pennsylvanians have done sand in the run. Will I regret it?

@dheltzel , I seem to recall you were a proponent of sand. Do you only have it in covered runs, where it can stay relatively dry?

If I don't do sand, I am thinking of throwing down some chopped leaves and mulch in there--we have plenty of both of those on hand....

I did leaves in an outdoor run and regretted it, I have pallets all over that run now until the leaves ar4e totally gone. Sand is good in uncovered runs, but it doesn't magically make a run "puddle free" and adding it to existing mud is probably a fool's errand, I think it just sinks into the mire. I put it down over dry soil and it is not perfect, but better than anything else I've tried.

The best covering is living grass, but unless you keep moving the run, that doesn't last long at all.

 

[dheltzel]

These are gorgeous birds, one of my absolute favorite colors and those fluffy faces are just adorable! I just wish they were large fowl. I really don't need more broodies, either! Lol

Not a very good pic, but a LF Am in Lavender.

 

[fisherlady]

Thanks, fisherlady!  Would something like pea gravel work?  I'm thinking of getting a load of that soon anyway, for some walkways.  Maybe I could just put some leaf mulch down so they can use it in the meantime, then rake it out and put gravel.

That would be the route I would take. I got 10 ton of fine granite chips delivered for the driveway and split it between gravel and run. Works great.

 

[hyzenthlay]

Ok, thanks @fisherlady and @dheltzel ! That is extremely helpful. It will also save me hauling 50 lb bags from the hardware store only to regret it later. I think I will throw down a minimal temporary mulch cover now, and plan to include the run in my pea gravel delivery soon.

Beautiful birds, dheltzel!!

 

[BullChick]

Thanks everyone. Still here but eye infection, bronchitis, hoof rot, neither is castrated.

Okay does anyone know what game bird conditioner is? I'm trying to get off the layer and go to an all flock? food with calcium on the side. I tried to explain that to the guys at feed store but not sure if they understood. Will this work? And loving the FF! So far everyone likes it. Trying to do chicks too but they eat too fast lol.

I don't know about "conditioner", but I assume it's another name for the growth feed. All Flock is a good choice.
Chicks (and chickens) will wolf down the FF at first, then slow down.