Poop board convert *warning-graphic/gross poop pictures*

[Thespoiledchicken]

so how long is your roost board?? mine is like a ladder so am not sure how to make a poop board. Maybe I will post a pic and some one can give me suggestions!
I am also overwhenlmed wih the amount of POOOOO can build up in a week YUK
Ayda

Not sure the exact length but the coop is 10 x 10 and they run almost the whole length so maybe 9 ft each? Plenty of room because they all like to squeeze together- even though there is plenty of open spaces.
I have seen people with the ladder set up but it always seemed like someone would get pooped on if a chicken faced backwards. Also, I wanted open floor space underneath for ease of cleaning and to feed and water.

Trish

 

[Wyogirl]

Not sure the exact length but the coop is 10 x 10 and they run almost the whole length so maybe 9 ft each? Plenty of room because they all like to squeeze together- even though there is plenty of open spaces.
I have seen people with the ladder set up but it always seemed like someone would get pooped on if a chicken faced backwards. Also, I wanted open floor space underneath for ease of cleaning and to feed and water.

Trish

OK mine is 8x16 so will re-evaluate my whole set up and re-build as soon as it gets warmer---MAY?? lol. I hope it's next week!!
Ayda

 

[gale65]

What a great idea. I wish we had room for poop boards. Our coop is only 5' wide and I'm afraid poop boards would get in the way.

 

[JanetfromDayton]

Love your idea of making the board wider with the ledge. Mine is just a 12" board and they sometimes miss. I have sand on the floor and sift some on the board to make cleaning it easier. I'll be changing it to a wider board in the spring with a ledge.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

What a great idea. I wish we had room for poop boards. Our coop is only 5' wide and I'm afraid poop boards would get in the way.

Some people on BYC have posted pics of their setup where they use small trays underneath as "poop boards" but they just take them out one by one and scoop/dump. Some have tall edges around them...like pans.

 

[hjewell]

May I ask dimensions of your set-up? From wall to roost, and from roost to edge of board? I've seen 18" from the wall recommended, but it seems like a lot ... could eat up space quickly. Thanks!

 

[Momoflilgs]

I think this thread regarding using Sweet PDZ under the roosts might be the most exciting chicken-related thing I've read all year. I have a chicken tractor and it moves around our yard. I am thinking of replacing the pine shavings with the Sweet PDZ but I'm wondering if it would hurt the grass. I have smart chickens but they've been known to kick out shavings. Should I use the granular or the powder form? I found this info. on the Sweet PDZ website mentioning chickens:

"Chickens
Chickens have a lot of benefits, but they are by no means the neatest of barnyard animals. In fact their coops, hen houses and pens can get really stinky. Sweet PDZ is the answer to your smelly, dropping filled coops. Sprinkle Sweet PDZ liberally where the birds make their mess. Reapply regularly on the most frequently used roosting areas, and you’ll be well on your way to a healthy, safe and pleasant smelling chicken house. Sweet PDZ also makes it much easier to remove the droppings when cleaning out the chicken’s house. As an added benefit Granular Sweet PDZ can be safely eaten by the birds and used by them to grind their food. Clean smelling chickens = healthy chickens."

We are still in the middle of winter so I wonder if keeping the pine shavings and just adding a little Sweet PDZ is a better way to go. The pine shavings just look fluffier and warmer to me! Does anyone have suggestions for my girls?

 

[Wyogirl]

I LOVE PDZ! I cleaned out under my roost YUK and added PDZ to the floor and then added my wood chips, this was Saturday, went out today, no smell and no moisture build up. It is working great. I will scoop out the poo on thursday(my day off) and continue using it. I am so glad I read this post!
Ayda

 

[crystal195655]

I loved your idea so much that I went out and bought some of the Sweet PDZ granular....added a board under the roosts to hold in the layer of PDZ on the floor which is directly under the roosts. I will have to bend over to scoop it out but should still be easier than having to clean the whole coop out every couple of weeks. One question I have is: How long will the Sweet PDZ be good for, will I have to replace it periodically?

 

[Thespoiledchicken]

May I ask dimensions of your set-up? From wall to roost, and from roost to edge of board? I've seen 18" from the wall recommended, but it seems like a lot ... could eat up space quickly. Thanks!

Hi. My poop boards are 24" deep from the wall and the perch is centered. Roosting chickens have 12" behind them and 12" in front. This is a little larger than most BUT I find that it catches ALL the poops and gives the girls plenty of room to walk around on so they can perch where they want. Our coop is 10x10 and this set up works very nicely, we use the open space underneath the boards to feed and water (stays clean!) and we may even set up a chicky brooder under there

I don't find that it takes up room, just kinda adds a second level. Chickens absolutely love it and I even find some of my silkies up there

I think this thread regarding using Sweet PDZ under the roosts might be the most exciting chicken-related thing I've read all year. I have a chicken tractor and it moves around our yard. I am thinking of replacing the pine shavings with the Sweet PDZ but I'm wondering if it would hurt the grass. I have smart chickens but they've been known to kick out shavings. Should I use the granular or the powder form? I found this info. on the Sweet PDZ website mentioning chickens:


We are still in the middle of winter so I wonder if keeping the pine shavings and just adding a little Sweet PDZ is a better way to go. The pine shavings just look fluffier and warmer to me! Does anyone have suggestions for my girls?

Hmmm.... I think you may have to experiment. So far I have only used the powder form with excellent results but I may try the granule also. As far as pine shavings go I use them on the bottom of the coop too but I would not say they are any warmer. Mine get poopy and that freezes pretty quickly in winter. I can feel frozen shavings through my shoes when I am in there

I say experiment and let us know how it goes

I LOVE PDZ! I cleaned out under my roost YUK and added PDZ to the floor and then added my wood chips, this was Saturday, went out today, no smell and no moisture build up. It is working great. I will scoop out the poo on thursday(my day off) and continue using it. I am so glad I read this post!
Ayda

I loved your idea so much that I went out and bought some of the Sweet PDZ granular....added a board under the roosts to hold in the layer of PDZ on the floor which is directly under the roosts. I will have to bend over to scoop it out but should still be easier than having to clean the whole coop out every couple of weeks. One question I have is: How long will the Sweet PDZ be good for, will I have to replace it periodically?

I never replace mine, the used stuff gets stuck to the poop and thrown out. The remainder stays fresh. I just add a new scoop when it starts getting low and all works well

Wanted to add new info for everybody. I caught one of my girls DUSTBATHING in it a few days ago

They have been locked in the run for a few days because of bad weather so I guess she figured it was better than nothing, lol. She is alive and well and Sweet PDZ states it's not harmful so I am not worried but it was quite funny watching her.


Trish