raymaratea
Chirping
- Sep 23, 2017
- 10
- 15
- 51
I have been raising Chickens since I was about twelve or thirteen. Of "primary importance" is that yjour coop be built very tight to eliminate any possibility of Rodents entering it. Mine is designed that way. A field mouse can squeeze through a hole about 1/2" square so I have heard. I don't have any holes that wide at all. Secondly, I have never fed chickens outdoors with the exception of Cabbage leaves, Wheat Berries and Meal Worms. Inside I have an old refrigerator produce drawer that I place dry feed in so they have to climb in and scratch to their hearts content with little or no dry feed getting on the Coop floor. Most important of all, ninety-nine percent of my feeding is "Wet". I have a collection of Quart Containers and in the coop I place two, one with wet laying pellets and the other with "Fermented Corn". For the most part, chickens eating Corn is a myth. But if you keep a 2.5 gallon pail on hand and put about six or seven cups of dry corn in it and then at three tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar and fill with water, in about three days it will begin to show signs of fermentation taking place. I go to the extreme in making my own Apple Cider Vinegar using five gallon food grade pails and keeping about eight gallons on hand at all times. The idea behind using the Quart containers is that they cannot get into them with their feet and scratch away, scattering the feed all over the place. Also, serving wet feed means they drink less water. I have been doing this for years and believe me it is easy. Keep a couple of plastic gallons on hand in which to mix the Apple Cider Vinegar and water. Use wire lath wherever there is an opening to seal it off and do not leave any areas in the Coop where Mice can make themselves comfortable. Keep Coop elevated off the ground to discourage nesting by mice, rats, etcI am designing my new coop & run build for this spring. It will be a 6x6 coop with a 12x20 run attached. Should I have the feed and water in the coop or the run. What is the best? I tend to lean towards the coop being just for roosting with no water or feed. What are your thoughts? Thanks
Ray C. Maratea.