The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Bulldogma]

I have to share this picture, just cracked me up today

My big ol BLW roo wallowing out the nest for my GL girl, she lays in that hole on the floor every day since she started laying

Does he hand out cigars after she lays the egg? LOL - what a cute picture!

 

[Bulldogma]

I gave my new DC flock their own dust bathing area today. They were rolling around in it before I even let go of it - LOL. I didn't see any mites on these birds, but there's plenty of wood ash in there anyway.








Tanker stood watch as the others rolled about like pigs - LOL!




"Aint nobody botherin' my flock while they're in the bath!"

 

[Ashdoes]

Tanker has the ultimate grumpy face! I laugh every time you post a pic of her.

 

[jendodd79]

I have a question about deep litter! I'm pretty sure that I read in here (but can't find it now) that some people take the little out of their coops and spread it in the run? Am I going crazy? Lol! I put quite a bit of straw in because it has been so damp, but I'd like to take about half of the little out because it is so deep and hard to turn with the straw and then throw in a bag of new shavings. Should I just put it in my new compost, or put it in the run, let them scratch it around and then add it to my compost in the spring?

Thanks!

 

[jendodd79]

I gave my new DC flock their own dust bathing area today. They were rolling around in it before I even let go of it - LOL. I didn't see any mites on these birds, but there's plenty of wood ash in there anyway.








Tanker stood watch as the others rolled about like pigs - LOL!




"Aint nobody botherin' my flock while they're in the bath!"

I love tanker!! I put out a bin with sand and wood ash and no one is running for it. Hmmm.. I wonder what I'm doing wrong

 

[Leahs Mom]

I have a question about deep litter! I'm pretty sure that I read in here (but can't find it now) that some people take the little out of their coops and spread it in the run? Am I going crazy? Lol! I put quite a bit of straw in because it has been so damp, but I'd like to take about half of the little out because it is so deep and hard to turn with the straw and then throw in a bag of new shavings. Should I just put it in my new compost, or put it in the run, let them scratch it around and then add it to my compost in the spring?

Thanks!

Yes to both - you could do either.

I put some in my run because I want to make it deeper and build it up pretty deep for winter for next year. I'll also put in new items all summer like wood chips, grass clippings, et.

I also put it in the garden as well. I put about 5 wheelbarrows full in the garden a couple weeks ago when it was warm out. I'm thinking that should give it plenty of time to be ready by summer!

(And I HATE straw....just saying.... but I do use the bales as windbreaks )

 

[aoxa]

(And I HATE straw....just saying.... but I do use the bales as windbreaks )

I'm with you there LM.

Had it last winter and it was terrible to clean up. Was really disgusting.

 

[aoxa]

Tanker has the ultimate grumpy face! I laugh every time you post a pic of her.

I agree! What fabulous pictures of them.

 

[jendodd79]

I'm with you there LM.

Had it last winter and it was terrible to clean up. Was really disgusting.

It is disgusting. I definitely will need to find something different next year. I just mixed in 2 flakes of it when the shavings were really damp, but it's hard to work with!!!!

 

[aoxa]

It is disgusting. I definitely will need to find something different next year. I just mixed in 2 flakes of it when the shavings were really damp, but it's hard to work with!!!!

I'd rather hay than straw to be honest. I like shavings the best.

Why is it getting damp? If you fix that problem, you will have much better results.