Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

We could have an entire thread going about this weather and the absolute mess it is making:barnie...
we started to use mulch in our runs 2 years now, to help keep the :sick factor to a minimum. It has help greatly. They still dig down under and make holes, but over all it is great. As it breaks down it helps keep the dirt from being completely dead & compacted.. There are actually worms under it. The girls enjoy digging around and finding them.
We are still working getting the run covered too, with the way things are going, don't think it is going to be drying out anytime soon.
Your gutter system idea sound promising!:thumbsup

I always wondered about Mulch!
I have been using hay in the run, but have been wanting to try mulch--straw gets too slimy and the poor girls need something dry to walk on . Does cheap mulch work, or do you use root mulch?
 
We could have an entire thread going about this weather and the absolute mess it is making:barnie...
we started to use mulch in our runs 2 years now, to help keep the :sick factor to a minimum. It has help greatly. They still dig down under and make holes, but over all it is great. As it breaks down it helps keep the dirt from being completely dead & compacted.. There are actually worms under it. The girls enjoy digging around and finding them.
We are still working getting the run covered too, with the way things are going, don't think it is going to be drying out anytime soon.
Your gutter system idea sound promising!:thumbsup

I think I'll try mulch this spring. Ive been using straw and they love scratching around in it but the ground compacts. They are always digging in the mulch around my bushes. We will give it a try.
 
Ooooo Mulch! I didn't even think about that! Is there anything in particular to get or avoid? And yeah we'll see how well the roof/gutter idea does if we actually ever get the time to do it! :gig



:welcome Welcome from Berks County!



Congratulations!! :celebrate
I always wondered about Mulch!
I have been using hay in the run, but have been wanting to try mulch--straw gets too slimy and the poor girls need something dry to walk on . Does cheap mulch work, or do you use root mulch?
I think I'll try mulch this spring. Ive been using straw and they love scratching around in it but the ground compacts. They are always digging in the mulch around my bushes. We will give it a try.

To all those who asked about the mulch..
LOVE Permaculture!!
Our neighbor has a VERY large area, she allows the tree trimmers to dump their mulched up wood.
They have been doing this for a couple years now.
She invites some people to get as much as they want, for free..because she got it for free and it also helped out the tree service.
We barter with her so as a way to "pay" her on a regular basis. She is generous for inviting us to use as much mulch as we want, so we thought it right to repay her generosity..whether or not she got it for free is not the point.
The tree trimmers are always around this area.
We are in the mountains so it makes sense. There are always downed tree & branches & not just small things either.
There is a mixture of all kinds of woods, hard & soft trees.
We collect from the oldest areas because it has "seasoned" a bit and has allowed any pest that where in it to find a new place to be. At least that is our theory.
It does break down quickly, it is mulched more fine than the cheaper stuff you can get in the bags. It is awesome!.
We usually add mulch every-other year to the beds/garden,(NO WEEDING!) ,And the chicken run gets mulched every year, they more it around more.
We put this stuff everywhere, we have TONS of beds around here. There are so many worms in our beds/gardens now, it is wonderful.
It takes less than a full season for the worms to appear!!
When we make a new bed now, we just remove the sod, we use it in areas that need better grass or that needs built-up, then just add the mulch..a lot of it!! Instant raised bed.
*So, flag down one of those tree service trucks in your area and let them know you are interested in having them dump a load of mulch in your yard! Or..if you have a good relationship with your neighbor that has extra space, convince them this is an awesome idea..free mulch for all!!
 
Both of my incubators and 2 brooders are in my bedroom lol. I'm glad DH is a good sport!
I made a feeder for the quail yesterday. I wanted to see how it worked out before switching it to water. Last night before bed, I thought they were just pecking around in the box ( rather than switch them to a cardboard box to hold them while I clean their brooder, I just made a cardboard box into a brooder for the next few days), but in reality, one had its head stuck, and was flopping around! :th I was glad I checked, because it was not coming out!
 
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