Something I've learned

Cluckadudealoo

In the Brooder
Mar 4, 2025
5
21
26
Fairly new to chicken raising but the crew is growing nicely, now 14 weeks old. Here's what I've learned:

I bought a bag of layer feed (50lbs), added water for a mash and started the flock on it, not realizing at the time it wasn't the right feed for their age (even though they LOVED it). So I bought a bag of grower feed, which the crew seemed less enthused about. Tried adding water to it and they didn't touch it. So, I went back to the dry and they seemed to settle in to the new food, but not with their same gusto. I started adding scraps (chopped lettuce, a bit of fruit, some meal worms) as a sometime treat. I then allowed them to start free ranging (I've got a decent sized back yard) and they really enjoy scratching and pecking and are usually at the door first thing in the morning waiting to get out. I spent a LOT of money on feed over the past couple of months.

I've removed food from the coop at night as not to entice rodents, even though I've caught a couple on camera scurrying around. Squirrels are also an issue.

I now avoid the majority of nightmare Facebook groups that post pictures of horror shows of what happens to some people's chickens. Flystrike, bumblefoot, respiratory illnesses, Mareks disease, vitamin deficiencies, poopybutt, the list goes on and on. Predator attacks, raccoons, hawks, coyotes, bears, wolves, minks, dogs, etc and graphic photos ... some people seem to delight in posting these images.

I check my chickens poop frequently... when I started I never thought this was a task I would undertake, but here I am.

My chickens are happy, healthy and continue to thrive. I give them new things to do, areas to explore and things to jump on. I realize I don't need the wide variety of items people tell me I must have for my to chickens to grow and lay more eggs. I use sand in my coop and after using pine shavings for a short time, realize that the chickens don't care what I use. In the wild, chickens didn't have special sand, or chicken safe pine shavings, or lime dusting to protect them. The sand is easy to sift and clean and drains well after a good rain.
 
We feed all of ours, baby chicks and adults, and ducks, Kalmbach's Flock Maker. There are many other brands too that are meant for all ages and many poultry, but we just stay with this one. But that said, to get yours to eat the grower, how about putting like 1/4 of that layer feed in with your grower? That little bit won't harm them, but just don't supplement any oyster shell on the side until they are laying. That layer has increased calcium in it that can be harder on them until they lay eggs.

If you're happy with the sand, then more power to you! We've always used horse bedding pellets. Where you are talking about, I've seen the naysayers about those too. Yet, after 9 years of having them in various coops and brooders, I'd use nothing else. Just stick to what works for you, and stick to BYC for your tough questions or issues. :)
 
Ive heard good things about Kalmbachs and may try that after I get through the Scratch and Peck feed.

I’ve seen horse bedding pellets but heard they break down when they get wet then leave a soggy mess until they dry out. True? In Florida, it rains at least three to four times a week

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Time to get the chickens out of my garden. They are truly masters at landscaping.
 
I’ve seen horse bedding pellets but heard they break down when they get wet then leave a soggy mess until they dry out.

In the coops they don't become a soggy mess. Maybe you're talking about using them in a run? Some have used them to dry up muddy areas, and yes, they suck up all the moisture, turn to sawdust, and then that will eventually dry out. Chickens are then walking on moist sawdust, probably better than mud in that case.

In the coops, we have nipple buckets so minimal water in there. They stay fine for months. We don't do anything until the poop has turned about 80-90% of them to sawdust. Then we scoop them out, put that around trees, some in the gardens and compost the rest. We put down about 2-3" of new pellets, good for months. In one coop, we only change them yearly, every March.

In the brooders, I stir the pellets around as their little feet can't. We change those out about every other batch. It dries out their poop so chances of cocciodosis are slim.
 
I see what you’re saying. I have an enclosed run/coop. The picture below is my setup.

The grey chicken house holds up to 6 chickens! Lie. It has 6 nesting boxes but is much too small for them. They still all go into it at night.

IMG_6234.jpeg


IMG_6235.jpeg


I’m setting up an additional chicken area which isn’t quite done yet. I have an outdoor fan to provide ventilation for them. That should give them plenty of space.
 
Animals in the wild (generally) aren't confined to a small space. So while they don't have clean fluffy bedding and a roof, they're also not dependent on humans providing for their every need.

I think sand works in some situations.
I personally lean towards shavings, but they're a hassle to deal with and the price adds up. (Some stores also store them outdoors... I'm not thrilled about the risk of buying moldy shavings...)
 
Fairly new to chicken raising but the crew is growing nicely, now 14 weeks old. Here's what I've learned:

I bought a bag of layer feed (50lbs), added water for a mash and started the flock on it, not realizing at the time it wasn't the right feed for their age (even though they LOVED it). So I bought a bag of grower feed, which the crew seemed less enthused about. Tried adding water to it and they didn't touch it. So, I went back to the dry and they seemed to settle in to the new food, but not with their same gusto. I started adding scraps (chopped lettuce, a bit of fruit, some meal worms) as a sometime treat. I then allowed them to start free ranging (I've got a decent sized back yard) and they really enjoy scratching and pecking and are usually at the door first thing in the morning waiting to get out. I spent a LOT of money on feed over the past couple of months.

I've removed food from the coop at night as not to entice rodents, even though I've caught a couple on camera scurrying around. Squirrels are also an issue.

I now avoid the majority of nightmare Facebook groups that post pictures of horror shows of what happens to some people's chickens. Flystrike, bumblefoot, respiratory illnesses, Mareks disease, vitamin deficiencies, poopybutt, the list goes on and on. Predator attacks, raccoons, hawks, coyotes, bears, wolves, minks, dogs, etc and graphic photos ... some people seem to delight in posting these images.

I check my chickens poop frequently... when I started I never thought this was a task I would undertake, but here I am.

My chickens are happy, healthy and continue to thrive. I give them new things to do, areas to explore and things to jump on. I realize I don't need the wide variety of items people tell me I must have for my to chickens to grow and lay more eggs. I use sand in my coop and after using pine shavings for a short time, realize that the chickens don't care what I use. In the wild, chickens didn't have special sand, or chicken safe pine shavings, or lime dusting to protect them. The sand is easy to sift and clean and drains well after a good rain.
I’m fairly new to this as well. I used to use the pine shavings in my coop but ended up switching to sand. I found that it’s easier to clean, it’s free (we have plenty of it!), it’s absorbent and helps keep the coop smell free. In the run, I don’t have any bedding and keep it all plain dirt. I come in with a small battery tiller and mix it all up probably twice a month. I also use that dirt for gardening since the sand here is junk (also in FL!).
 
I’m fairly new to this as well. I used to use the pine shavings in my coop but ended up switching to sand. I found that it’s easier to clean, it’s free (we have plenty of it!), it’s absorbent and helps keep the coop smell free. In the run, I don’t have any bedding and keep it all plain dirt. I come in with a small battery tiller and mix it all up probably twice a month. I also use that dirt for gardening since the sand here is junk (also in FL!).
I like the idea of tilling it all up. I use a rake when things get too compacted but I’m always looking for new power tools. 🐓
 
I see what you’re saying. I have an enclosed run/coop. The picture below is my setup.

The grey chicken house holds up to 6 chickens! Lie. It has 6 nesting boxes but is much too small for them. They still all go into it at night.

View attachment 4164121

View attachment 4164124

I’m setting up an additional chicken area which isn’t quite done yet. I have an outdoor fan to provide ventilation for them. That should give them plenty of space.
Those prebuilt ones always say they hold twice the chickens they actually can. Maybe 6 quail, or Seramas, but not even six of our silkies. Is there a way you could rip out about 4 of those nesting boxes to make more room for a roost or something in there? The rule of thumb on nesting boxes is one for every four hens. We, of course, go overboard with that ourselves, but one nest per bird is ridiculous!
 

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