swiched to pine shavings, still a mess..

[gretchen]

sorry for my inexperience but what is DE? And if I end up with deep shavings how do I keep it from seeping out the chicken door... and into the run?

 

[greginshasta]

Quote:
Diatomaceous Earth. See here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=13419

Install a piece of lumber in the doorway on the opposite side of the door swing so that the shavings are held back. Just step over this board when going in and out.

 

[lurky]

This place is in in the middle of Vermont.

I got my DE from them

http://www.dirtworks.net/

 

[gretchen]

so when I get DE, how often do I use it and how much sprinkled on the shavings? Should I be sprinkling it in my run too?

and thanks for the website, I'll check them out soon.

 

[Dawn419]

Make sure what you get is food grade DE. I use a flour sifter to apply a light dusting/coating over the entire area of shavings and in your run. It's great in the run as our chickens will dust bath in it.

Here's another Food Grade DE link for you, it has alot of great information on using DE.

Hope this helps!

Dawn

 

[chicks rule]

Quote:
I was wondering this as well, anyone use sand on the coop floor?

 

[allen wranch]

I have sand on the wooden floor of one of my coops and it works great. It is easier to pooper scoop than the shavings. DE or lime mixes in well. It provides a good cushion coming off the roost (if it is thick enough,and I have low roosts). However, the coop is well ventilated so there is not a lot of dust if they run around in it or take a sand bath.

I tried it on the wood floor of my other coop and it was just too dusty, plus it was harder for me to get the sand in and out.