The Middle Tennessee Thread

[Cinny]

We got a lot of rain here too. Luckily our coop is kind of on a small hill so although our runs were muddy we didn't have any standing water, just sinking mud in spots. My hubby spread some straw on the muddy parts and that really helped because a muddy Silkie is not a pretty picture and our Silkie is always the first one out no matter what the weather.

Donna....hope things are dryer for your runs today, unfortunately I hear there's more rain and sleet headed our way, great!.....one question....what do you cover your runs in? I have a smaller one attached to the coop that I think I should cover for the winter. It's only about 8x8 so I can easily do it, just not sure what's best to use and where to get it.
Thanks.

 

[debid]

We're on a slope and there was a lot of erosion that needs repair. I suspect that the crawl space has water in it... The coop is strategically located to minimize mud and the run is thickly covered in leaves. So far, so good for the chickens! I'm not fixing anything just yet -- somebody hit the second skunk in a week right at the end of our driveway so the smell outside is horrid. Need to call the roads dept.

 

[debid]

Duplicate post

 

[DMRippy]

what is DE or untreated wood ash and where do you purchase it
Sam In Conroe

You don't want to use ashes from TREATED wood.... like you would use on a deck. I get mine from Whitts BBQ.

 

[debid]

Really, anyone with a fireplace has untreated ash to dispose of.

 

[DMRippy]

Donna....hope things are dryer for your runs today, unfortunately I hear there's more rain and sleet headed our way, great!.....one question....what do you cover your runs in? I have a smaller one attached to the coop that I think I should cover for the winter. It's only about 8x8 so I can easily do it, just not sure what's best to use and where to get it.
Thanks.

My front pens are covered in metal roofing. It will leak, but not much. It was an old garage or barn IDK. The ones in the back we have 2 rows of metal roofing so it covers about 4 ft of the runs. The rest is covered in 6 mil clear plastic. I bough a big roll of 20ft x 100ft. So we used one continuous piece of plastic with no seems. I am sure it is leaking, but not near as much as it would if it was not there.....

A hill is a good idea..... I am going to build some more pens in the spring. I KNOW I am going to build it up more this time..... maybe a slight grade DOWN to the creek would be a good idea.

 

[DMRippy]

Really, anyone with a fireplace has untreated ash to dispose of.

I have never used a fireplace for heat so it never comes to my mind......

 

[debid]

The thought of paying for ashes never occurred to me . Freecycle is great unless you happen to be out near the Boxwell camp area and want the 5ish gallons my ash bucket has in it right now.

 

[DMRippy]

The thought of paying for ashes never occurred to me . Freecycle is great unless you happen to be out near the Boxwell camp area and want the 5ish gallons my ash bucket has in it right now.

I don't pay for them.... they give them to me. They just toss them in the trash.

 

[debid]

I don't pay for them.... they give them to me.  They just toss them in the trash.

I meant the OP who asked where he/she could buy the stuff.