The Middle Tennessee Thread

[DMRippy]

Quote: I never did either.... till the vet. It was news to me too. IDK what to tell you on the litter.....

 

[Cinny]

You don't have to put anything in the run. I have a ladies group that meets at my house occasionally - and they always like to go see the chickens. So, for aesthetic purposes, I pile on the pine shavings so it'll look and smell nice - especially when it's wet - and the chickens LOVE scratching around in it. When I throw out scratch, they have to search for it - and that's good for them. I also figure it's better for their feet not to be standing around in mud and water. I keep pine shavings (deep litter method) in the coop, too - and sand/Sweet PDZ under the roosts. I just add shavings to the run when it gets bare and muddy - or when I'm expecting company.

I hope others tell about how they keep their runs - always looking for new and helpful ideas.

Thanks....I use deep litter too and it's working great so I have the extra pine shavings....think I'll try it. I hate the mud, especially on our Silkie.

 

[Happy Henhouse]

You don't have to put anything in the run.  I have a ladies group that meets at my house occasionally - and they always like to go see the chickens.  So, for aesthetic purposes, I pile on the pine shavings so it'll look and smell nice - especially when it's wet - and the chickens LOVE scratching around in it.  When I throw out scratch, they have to search for it - and that's good for them.  I also figure it's better for their feet not to be standing around in mud and water.   I keep pine shavings (deep litter method) in the coop, too - and sand/Sweet PDZ under the roosts.  I just add shavings to the run when it gets bare and muddy - or when I'm expecting company.

I hope others tell about how they keep their runs - always looking for new and helpful ideas.

Hope this doesn't sound too stupid but when you say sand is that just playground sand like you'd get from lowes? And what is Sweet PDZ?

Also does anyone know where I can get grow gel plus locally? Do y'all use it?

Thanks.

 

[TinTennessee]

Hope this doesn't sound too stupid but when you say sand is that just playground sand like you'd get from lowes? And what is Sweet PDZ?
Also does anyone know where I can get grow gel plus locally? Do y'all use it?
Thanks.

Yes playground sand is ok. Never heard of grow gel plus, maybe someone else cam help you on that one.

 

[CarolJ]

I've bought Gro-Gel Plus from eBay - also bought it from Meyer Hatchery. I haven't seen it locally - although you could check with Tractor Supply - they might have it. Sweet PDZ is sold as a desiccant for horse stalls. It's safe for any livestock. If you have a "poop board" under your roosts, it can be used there to help with any unpleasant smells. I mix Sweet PDZ with sand to put on the poop boards. I get Sweet PDZ at our local Co-Op. I get builders' sand at Lowe's or Home Depot. It's cheaper than play sand - and I like that the builders' sand is coarser than play sand.

Every two or three days - or even after a week, I take a child's plastic rake to rake the poop to the edge of the poop boards. Then I scoop it with a long-handled kitchen scoop/strainer - which allows the sand/PDZ to sift out - and dump the poop into a bucket which I then dump outside. It only takes minutes and keeps the coop non-smelly. Every few months I add another bag of sand and/or PDZ to replace what gets dumped out with the poop. It lasts a long time. It's a quick and easy way to keep the coop clean - or as clean as possible with chickens.

I use the sand/PDZ only on the poop boards. I use pine shavings (deep litter) in the rest of the coop and in the nest boxes.

This is just what works best for me. There are lots of ways to manage chickens - and I'm sure others will have some suggestions as well.

 

[Happy Henhouse]

Thanks so much! What a great idea, it's like scoopable kitty litter for chickens. Sounds like project time for me. Gotta make some poop boards!

Thanks TinTennessee for your response on the play sand, too. Everyone is so helpful on this thread!

 

[SilkieTime]

I use shavings in my coop and sand in my run, works great. I have not been able to ge on BYC for about a year till today and am having a hard time finding my pictures. Does anyone konw where I might find them?

 

[DMRippy]

I use shavings in my coop and sand in my run, works great. I have not been able to ge on BYC for about a year till today and am having a hard time finding my pictures. Does anyone konw where I might find them?

At the top right of this page is a button called MY PROFILE click that and the pictures should be at the bottom of that page. Welcome back!

 

[pickledchicken]

Bantam Choc Orp for sale young cockerel $55

 

[Lots A Cluckin]

is your wife actually going to let you sale him now chad LOL