Starting over

Pics
Date sort Score sort
SilverBirds said:
Belated welcome to BYC! So sorry about the loss of your first flock.

Just so you are aware, Americana is just another name for Easter Eggers, so if you get the assortment, you're likely to get some of your old favorites and some new breeds.
Click to expand...
Thank you.
That is part of the reason why I was thinking about the "variety pack" lol. That, and I think it would be fun to see what I get and what each chick grows up to look like...and all the pretty colored eggs of course. haha
 
So, I do have some questions.

1) what is the best substrate to use in your run? I have seen alot of people using coarse sand, like quikrete all purpose sand. I use to use pine shavings, but in the rain, it was hard to control the smell. I see there are also pine pellets or something that help dry up your run and is suppose to make it easier to clean. I will be putting my coop and run in the highest part of my yard, so that it gets better drainage to try to try to avoid mud. I also plan to cover my run this time with a solid roof. Last time I had that green garden fencing I believe, and the neighborhood cats destroyed it!! grr. I also struggled with mud last time as well. Any tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated.
I also plan to let them out of the run while I am outside, so they are more free range and able to explore a bit more.
2) what do you use in your nesting boxes? I am seeing that some people are using a washable carpet grass like square. Some I have seen as a straw like square that you can peel layers off of.
3) what do you find to best keep the eggs clean from poop preserving the bloom without having to wash them and then refrigerate them immediately?
 
Last edited:
StacyO said:
So, I do have some questions.

1) what is the best substrate to use in your run? I have seen alot of people using coarse sand, like quikrete all purpose sand. I use to use pine shavings, but in the rain, it was hard to control the smell. I see there are also pine pellets or something that help dry up your run and is suppose to make it easier to clean. I will be putting my coop and run in the highest part of my yard, so that it gets better drainage to try to try to avoid mud. I also plan to cover my run this time with a solid roof. Last time I had that green garden fencing I believe, and the neighborhood cats destroyed it!! grr. I also struggled with mud last time as well. Any tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated.
I also plan to let them out of the run while I am outside, so they are more free range and able to explore a bit more.
Click to expand...
I'm going to try some 1 1/2" gravel with some bulk builders sand on top of it and hope there will be no mud. Right now they all free range but that can't go on and maintain breed purity at hatch time. I to a hard fall in a run last year because of slick mud in a dirt run. Not going that route anymore.

Good luck ordering in August and getting pullets. A lot of reputable hatcheries are sold out. Maybe a local breeder will have some stock like you want.
 
LTAY1946 said:
I'm going to try some 1 1/2" gravel with some bulk builders sand on top of it and hope there will be no mud. Right now they all free range but that can't go on and maintain breed purity at hatch time. I to a hard fall in a run last year because of slick mud in a dirt run. Not going that route anymore.

Good luck ordering in August and getting pullets. A lot of reputable hatcheries are sold out. Maybe a local breeder will have some stock like you want.
Click to expand...
Thank you and good luck! Falling in a muddy chicken run=no fun I am sure! I hope you weren't injured.
I spoke with a manager at my local Tractor Supply, I am hoping to not run into an issue. He said they would be getting their next season of chickens then, I don't plan to get them from the store, but rather order them online and have them shipped in to my post office. fi🤞 I am hopeful. I will keep and eye out for other places with chicks. Worst case scenario, I get my coop and run prepared for the next season.
 
StacyO said:
Thank you and good luck! Falling in a muddy chicken run=no fun I am sure! I hope you weren't injured.
I spoke with a manager at my local Tractor Supply, I am hoping to not run into an issue. He said they would be getting their next season of chickens then, I don't plan to get them from the store, but rather order them online and have them shipped in to my post office. fi🤞 I am hopeful. I will keep and eye out for other places with chicks. Worst case scenario, I get my coop and run prepared for the next season.
Click to expand...
I've never bought from Myers in OH but I get ads from them and sometimes they have quite an assortment last season.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom