trying to figure this all out !

[jwcloud]

hello all,, i think we got our selfs in a pickle heres the deal ,,, wife says we need chickens honey we live in the country got lots of bugs and lots of room ,we have 12 barred rock chicks , 12 black australope ,6 ameracana, all 3 weeks old ,and i have 36 RIR chicks coming this Monday from local farm , ? is are my older chicks ready to be set in the coop so my new chicks can have the brooder , what would be better for them for bedding the coop floor is native red sand and dirt , dont like straw on the floor as its a pain to clean up , and it would take alot of straw the chick coop is 16 x 9 ,,,, thanks for any and all help on helping me on this

 

[countrygirl345]

You can move them out depending on the temp and their age. You should have started them out at 90, and reduced 5 degrees per week. Now they should be fine in 80 degree weather. I doubt its that warm all the time, so a couple of heat lamps in the coop may be necessary at this point.

 

[countrygirl345]

As for bedding, straw is really the best choice compared to dirt, so you should reconsider. It will be cleaner for all those chickens.

 

[jwcloud]

thankyou , i have read that shavings is not as good for them as straw but to me straw is harder to clean up IMO , how thick ddo you put it down for them ? again tyhank you for your advice !

 

[cafarmgirl]

I like pine shavings in the coop way better then straw. It stays dry and there is no risk of mold. Straw also offers a great home to mites. And I personally just don't like the mess the straw makes or cleaning it out!

 

[Tucker91]

I have been using hay in my coop and it gets gross so easily. I am trying shavings now as they worked well in my brooder. I bedded pretty heavily and am hoping it's easier and less messy!

 

[jwcloud]

i really dont like the straw!
if useing shavings how often do you need to clean them out ? a bale of straw cost 7/8 bucks here i havent priced shavings yet whats a fair price for shavens ?

 

[cafarmgirl]

i really dont like the straw!
if useing shavings how often do you need to clean them out ? a bale of straw cost 7/8 bucks here i havent priced shavings yet whats a fair price for shavens ?

I pay $4.99 for a big compressed bale of shavings and a bale lasts me a long time. I think they are 8 cubic feet. I don't bed the floor under the roosts because I rake up and remove poop every morning. The rest of the floor has several inches of shavings that I top off with a thin layer of fresh shavings once in a while. I completely strip out the coops once or twice a year. The coops are clean, dry and odor free.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi! and

Now here's a great idea if you are worried about fires in the coop from hot bulbs
coming in contact with flammable objects. http://sweeterheater.com/ They make
several sizes. maybe even possible to get one size for all pigs, baby goats, and
coop?? Never gets hot enough to cause a fire or burn the animals. can hang or
mount on wall. Easy clean. If you are interested, tell them how many chicks you
have to brood ( and their ages) and ask how many inches you need heated for
that many.
Best,
Karen in western PA

Many folks are swearing by sand in the bottom of their coop. I think river sand,
not playground sand ( too much silica). I am putting sand in my small poultry
yard this Summer. Tired of the brown dirt. I have several small coops so
hardwood shavings are easier for me in the coop. You can keyword search this thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/250190/anyone-use-sand-in-the-run-coop/420