Something you wish had been invented in chicken keeping.

[Chickenhappy8708]

You can hardly call this research... but here is a cool article to look into, and maybe try sometime. https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2016/04/the-secret-to-hatching-hens-not-roosters.html

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

You can hardly call this research... but here is a cool article to look into, and maybe try sometime. try.https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2016/04/the-secret-to-hatching-hens-not-roosters.html

I’ve seen a few people post that article on here, and I can say for sure it isn’t factual. That whole blog is full of stuff you would hear around Facebook. I wouldn’t trust them ever, not for anything that requires basic scientific knowledge that is. Just another homesteader wishing to share the things they heard around town, nothing new. All of the blogs are a bit annoying when you are trying to find sources, but you can’t stop someone who thinks they uncovered whether or not the world exists.

Edit: there was someone else who posted that same article awhile back, and it turned into us laughing about hatching crocs from chicken eggs. And giving birth to zebras by living in a climate controlled room for all of your pregnancy. Long story short, that blog post is like someone saying you can grow money by planting a tomato in 35 degree Celsius dirt.

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

Hay! I remember that thread... That was me! I agree, I wouldn't trust it, just thought I would share, mabey try it to see how it works. Again, I find all sorts of faulty evidence, and guesses on that blog. Also how did you upload that profile pic, I want something with the same message, but I'm not sure how to upload it.

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

Hay! I remember that thread... That was me! I agree, I wouldn't trust it, just thought I would share, mabey try it to see how it works. Again, I find all sorts of faulty evidence, and guesses on that blog. Also how did you upload that profile pic, I want something with the same message, but I'm not sure how to upload it.

First, locate the picture you want to use. You can then download it. After it’s saved to your computer or mobile device, you can upload it like you would any other picture. Hope that helped .

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

Thanks, my avatar should change soon.

 

[angrychick3n]

We all have something we wish was invented to make chicken keeping better, and I was wondering what yours were. I have to clean the shavings in my coop with a broom and a tub, sweeping out all the shavings. I then have to scrub the floor on my hands and knees, all because my family won't let me get a pitchfork! What are yours, I'm interested to find out!

I wouldn't use shavings, I tried several different shavings from various places, which were intended for coups, and yet they would still mat up, weren't particularly great at wicking moisture, and always created an inane amount of dust. Straw is an incredibly good option for bedding because it allows for easier moisture wicking (due to being hallow), less dust, and its also not terribly hard to remove poops from them, prolonging bedding use. My coup always smelled least ammonia-y with straw, or even better yet, sand.

Get some play sand, and use it for bedding (obviously not in nesting areas tho) and just use a cat poop scooper to remove their poops. Also, play sand (as long as there isn't dirt involved) is great for low dust, and dries up moisture quick since its just granulated stones, they don't absorb the moisture into the material, it simply dries off once poops are removed.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I wish something that could tell when an egg was no longer viable. Maybe a scanner thing?

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

My pine shavings work fine, actually, I clean once a month.

 

[3KillerBs]

I wouldn't use shavings, I tried several different shavings from various places, which were intended for coups, and yet they would still mat up, weren't particularly great at wicking moisture, and always created an inane amount of dust. Straw is an incredibly good option for bedding because it allows for easier moisture wicking (due to being hallow), less dust, and its also not terribly hard to remove poops from them, prolonging bedding use. My coup always smelled least ammonia-y with straw, or even better yet, sand.

I found the exact opposite with my in-town flock.

Shavings -- always coarse flake, never fine flake -- could last 8-12 weeks in the coop depending on the number of chickens and the weather.

Straw only gave me 4-6 weeks in the coop before it got stinky.

Mixed with pine straw in the run shavings were a good addition to the deep litter. Intact straw bales were handy to give chickens somewhere to sit up out of the mud during my wet winters but when spread out in the run they tended to pack, mat, and form anaerobic pockets even when I used thrown scratch to encourage chickens to dig in it and stir it up.

I will repeat that I used coarse shavings, not fine, and note that I have sandy soil that is sometimes too well-drained.

Obviously experiences vary.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Disclosure: I didn't read all 6 pages.

My invention? A hardware cloth alternative that is strong but flexible/soft and doesn't flay your skin. I HATE hardware cloth...