Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[pennyJo1960]

Think we all have a degree of mud right now ..
Sun is out this morning does not mean squat.. Wait 5 it will change .. My girls have like 1/4 of an acre to run. Right close to the coop nothing just mud ...
Headed to Chehalis this morning. Places to go people to annoy is old saying I use.

 

[rosemarythyme]

what are you all using in your runs?? They have eaten up all the grass so its just dirt and grass clippings from the yard along with the wood shavings it has done well all winter but now its an absolute mess!!!!!

I use wood chips from a tree service. It’s the only reasonable thing for me to use plus so far they’ve been free!

x2 on wood chips (ideally chunky, aged chips) plus some of your yard waste such as the clippings. The chunks of wood allows for drainage and aeration, which helps stabilize the soil, control mud, and eat up odor.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Morning how is everyone this morning not raining here just now the birds are out .. Doing bird stuff

 

[Sequel]

Morning how is everyone this morning not raining here just now the birds are out .. Doing bird stuff

Morning PennyJo! It’s overcast here but so far no rain. I’ve locked the chickens out of the veggie garden for the season now so they’re full of complaints! I guess it’s a good thing I’m down to 4.

 

[pennyJo1960]

4 birds there @Sequel Gosh what happened ?

 

[PopoMyers]

I use wood chips from a tree service. It’s the only reasonable thing for me to use plus so far they’ve been free!

Do you think that wood chips/splinters would injure their feet in the summer, when it's dry, and cause bumblefoot? I've toyed with the idea of using the chips we just got from falling 2 large trees. Would the cedar be bad for them, as I've read cedar bedding is not good, so goes the chips? Right now, with the moist/wet/muddy ground, the girls have seemed to avoid getting bumble so far. What are your observations? The other pile of chips I have are mixed fir and cedar.

 

[Sequel]

Do you think that wood chips/splinters would injure their feet in the summer, when it's dry, and cause bumblefoot? I've toyed with the idea of using the chips we just got from falling 2 large trees. Would the cedar be bad for them, as I've read cedar bedding is not good, so goes the chips? Right now, with the moist/wet/muddy ground, the girls have seemed to avoid getting bumble so far. What are your observations? The other pile of chips I have are mixed fir and cedar.

I have not had one case of bumble foot in the six years I’ve had chickens here. I use mixed Wood chips in the run and they love moving them around. I think as long as they are aged a bit chunks from wood chipper would be ok outside.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Would the cedar be bad for them, as I've read cedar bedding is not good, so goes the chips?

If it's local cedar it's most likely Western Red, and I've had no problem using it in moderation, especially if it's allowed to air out to get rid of some of the aromatics.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Morning Staters. Not raining just now here give it a hour.
I buy white shavings last few batches I hatched like to lay eggs in a open bale of them.

 

[My Three Chicks]

Hi Washingtonians! Does anyone know of any coop/run builders in the Seattle area? I'll be moving there in a couple of months and will need a home for my small flock (currently 4 hoping to grow to 8 since that's what's allowed there!). Thanks!