Texas

[hensfortherapy]

Do they usually have a lot of birds and hatchery equipment?

I have only been once. There were a lot of useful things for chicken owners.

 

[gina kay]

I'm in Bellville which is between Houston and San Antonio. I have 40 chickens, 37 geese, 5 ducks, 2 goats, 7 horses, 4 donkeys, 4 rabbits, 1 hog, 18 cats, 7 dogs, 3 birds, and one husband. Planning to downsize by getting rid of a few horses, donkeys, cats and dogs. Want to get more chickens since I sell the eggs. Last chicks I got from Ideal were supposed to be Marans but eggs never were dark.

 

[wday]

Well since we have been getting all this rain the poop filled coop I have has gotten me worried about bacterial infections have any of y'all ever put sand down in your coops? I know a lot of people use shavings but the sand is cheaper and would stay cooler in the coming summer months any advice or comments?

 

[losttexan]

I use sand and I'll never go back. Some folks raise concerns about how hard it can be if it gets packed down, leading to injuries and bumblefoot. I'm not saying they're wrong, but I am saying I have not encountered those problems. I think it's cleaner, easier to maintain, and cheaper.

 

[orumpoultry]

You can use sand and use PDZ as a coop refresher for the smell. Sand is a good way to hide treats, too.

 

[orumpoultry]

I use sand and I'll never go back.  Some folks raise concerns about how hard it can be if it gets packed down, leading to injuries and bumblefoot.  I'm not saying they're wrong, but I am saying I have not encountered those problems.  I think it's cleaner, easier to maintain, and cheaper.

I have sand in several pens. I rake it daily, it just helps prevent packing.

 

[NickyPick]

I lost my grand Blackberry a couple of days ago (the guy in my avatar). He was 4 years old and the sweetest rooster ever. I was so ticked off - the critter just took the head, crop and heart and left the rest! What a waste! In any case, I set the trap and caught a raccoon that night, so hopefully, that was the perp and the rest of the hens are safe.

 

[wday]

OK well I have never used it but been doing some homework and haven't found many con's to using it just figured I would ask the wiser crowd thank you all. Any special kind work better than another?

 

[wday]

I lost my grand Blackberry a couple of days ago (the guy in my avatar).  He was 4 years old and the sweetest rooster ever.  I was so ticked off - the critter just took the head, crop and heart and left the rest!  What a waste!  In any case, I set the trap and caught a raccoon that night, so hopefully, that was the perp and the rest of the hens are safe.

as soon as I read what the critter ate I figured coon had one do it to me last year sorry to hear that was a pretty rooster

 

[RoosterCogburn7]

Cayugas are awesome. What else lay black eggs.

That is cool. When I get around to getting ducks, that will be my choice.