Utah!

[Cynthia12]

I asked this once before and didn't get an answer so I will try again What do you all use for bedding?? I haven't decided what to use yet. I was leaning towards sand but I worry that the girls will bathe in it and make the whole coop filthy (yah, I know it's a coop and it gets dusty) I have used straw in the past with my other girls and it seemed to work but I had troubles with them making nests and laying their eggs wherever they wanted and not in the boxes. Any opinions, thoughts, ideas, guidance????

I tried the sand. I personally didn't like it. When they got in there and started doing the dust bathing thing, the dust flew about..and I worried about them getting it into their lungs. Some did actually come out coughing..so..I took it out. I use the shavings..on the coop floor, and the nest boxes. Nothing on the run floor, except in the winter, then I use a lot of straw because it gets muddy, even though I have a tarp over the top. It's according how the wind is blowing..that snow can get right in the sides.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

I prefer the pine shavings ( in the big bale) from CAL ranch, rather than the IFA shavings....it is packed tighter and you get more, and it is a little bigger flakes. The smaller flakes seem to blow around or get kicked all over and disappear. I like the smell better and I read somewhere straw can encourage mites because they hide in the straw shafts.

 

[sillycmoy]

I put an add on KSL for my frizzle chicks and eggs. I have had no phone calls. As I looked at my add I realized it said Taylorsville, Ut. Do you suppose people are mistakenly thinking I am chase? I am going to create another acct in Hubbys name and put a SLC address, I hope that makes a difference. I have never had no calls or emails on any adds they usually sell pretty fast. Plz tell me what u think

Sundance, if I ever get a Broody I will totally come get some Frizzle Eggs. But my 4 Bantams, including 2 Silkies that are over a year old are just happy as can be free ranging in the yard all day long. If your still selling them in July, I will buy some from you, but I can't set anything until then, because I have too much stuff going on between now and then, and a few family trips and I hand turn. But middle of July I should be good to go.

 

[RedIII]

Whoops, forgot to say, Sundance I'm peachy on eggs, but thank you my friend.

One of my turkey eggs is developing! Yaaaaay!! I hope it makes it okay. Lousy bator..... This means I still need to get a buddy for it if I get a baby, though. Ohhhh I hope it's a hen.

 

[sharihern]

I am in Provo.

 

[RedIII]

Welcome Shari! We've got a few folks close to you in that area.

 

[ElkMtnCove]

I put an add on KSL for my frizzle chicks and eggs. I have had no phone calls. As I looked at my add I realized it said Taylorsville, Ut. Do you suppose people are mistakenly thinking I am chase? I am going to create another acct in Hubbys name and put a SLC address, I hope that makes a difference. I have never had no calls or emails on any adds they usually sell pretty fast. Plz tell me what u think

I saw them (and showed my husband with a hint-hint...which he ignored)... but I did think they were from Chase (sorry!

). Do you know the sexes yet?

I'm sure it was also because it was Mother's Day. I work as a cashier and we were slammed all weekend, ppl buying Mother's Day cards, flowers, etc. It didn't seem like many were doing typical shopping. Our weather was bad here and many ppl were cooking in instead of hitting brunches.

I'll have to go find your ad now. Where are the chicks located? Thanks!

 

[Ruralpearls]

ive tried sand and did not like it very much but others do like it. Its just personal preference and what works best IMO

Cynthia, huuuuuugs to you.

Tiny, welcome!

Rural, I use either pine shavings or hay/straw. My girls tend to like scratching in the shavings, though. I have tried grass from the yard when I've been short on cash, but my girls do NOT like it. I don't know if it's the moisture or smell or what, but they kind of pick around grass from either the lawn or the garden. Once it's sat out in the sun to bleach and dry, they will tolerate it more. Anyway, that's my two cents, sorry. Maybe ten cents, haha.

Thanks for the replies. I think I have sand crossed off my list. I have used straw in the past but not pine chips. Do either of you have problems with the girls laying on the ground rather than the nest boxes? When I used straw my girls would just lay in a corner of the coop rather than use the next boxes and my eggs would get broken and dirty quite often. I had my nest boxes on ground level though and I am hoping raising them up will make them want to use them better this time around??

 

[Ruralpearls]

I tried the sand. I personally didn't like it. When they got in there and started doing the dust bathing thing, the dust flew about..and I worried about them getting it into their lungs. Some did actually come out coughing..so..I took it out. I use the shavings..on the coop floor, and the nest boxes. Nothing on the run floor, except in the winter, then I use a lot of straw because it gets muddy, even though I have a tarp over the top. It's according how the wind is blowing..that snow can get right in the sides.

I worried that would be the case. I've heard that construction grade sand has bigger particles in it, but I still don't like the idea of the coop always being so dusty for the girls to breath.

 

[Ruralpearls]

RuralPearls, I prefer the pine shavings ( in the big bale) from CAL ranch, rather than the IFA shavings....it is packed tighter and you get more, and it is a little bigger flakes. The smaller flakes seem to blow around or get kicked all over and disappear. I like the smell better and I read somewhere straw can encourage mites because they hide in the straw shafts.

Thanks so much! I didn't know that about the straw but it makes sense. Hmm, I have bought shavings from IFA for my brooder box and noticed that there seemed to be more dust all over when I used it. I will have to go get some from CAL ranch. Thanks for the heads up.