Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Hinotori]

Thank you for the ideas! I also was thinking maybe winter wrapping specific sides. I have garden beds and already compost so this is one of my main reasons that this sounds intriguing along with the idea of less cleaning and less odor if all goes well.

It was also recommended to me from a lady that worked at our local Tractor Supply to try the bedding pellets. She said she uses it in her run area. How thick of a layer do you think? I guess 6 inches total is about what I need to start it off. So the remaining would be the pine shavings I think. The stall dry, also new to me, seems to have Diatomacheous earth in it. I've read that would not be good for the microbes for composting which makes sense. I'm assuming they have some without it though also.

It takes time for everything to get established. The stall dry helps with the ammonia. That will be an issue until it establishes. Hmm now I think I'd scoop some dirt into the layers when starting. I do that for compost to start the microbes.

 

[Hinotori]

If you don't want to waste money buying bedding, use a 6 inch layer of arborist's wood chips over bare earth. Tree trimming services usually give them away and will often bring them to your place to dump a load.

I have 2 runs, both protected from direct rain with a metal roof. The inner run is bone dry all the time, but doesn't smell. The crap disappears as soon as it gets scratched into the chips by the birds.

The outer run gets moisture blown in from the sides so the chips are often moist. But that's good because it attracts worms and other critters for the chickens to dig after. I call the outer run the "day run".

The inner run is totally secured with hardware cloth, and the coop building is wide open on that side. A sliding door shuts them off from the day run during the night.

I also have only removed bedding to use as garden fertilizer. I've added new woodchips a few time to replenish the layer as it breaks down over time. It's been two years so far with the original chips I shoveled in.

Pics of my setup.

View attachment 4082560View attachment 4082561View attachment 4082562View attachment 4082564View attachment 4082566View attachment 4082567View attachment 4082568View attachment 4082569View attachment 4082570View attachment 4082571View attachment 4082572

Deep wood chips are awesome. I really want to put them in the silkie pens. Hubby is almost convinced.

 

[Smokerbill]

Deep wood chips are awesome. I really want to put them in the silkie pens. Hubby is almost convinced.

They are! The trick, I think, is to pile them on top of bare earth for access to natural microbes, and as a source of a little humidity to keep the system going, even if the woodchips seem to be completely dry.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I have large coop 20 x 30 I put wood ash out nothing else.
I have had birds like 14 years the first coop is now part of the garden.
Welcome to the state group.

 

[Smokerbill]

I made a trip to the grocery store and lucked out. There were several boxes of produce trimmings free for the taking, so I grabbed one that was filled with big endive leaves, tomatoes, oranges, which the girls love, and some peppers that they won't touch. Also a bag of Popeye spinach to make them strong to the finich. LOL

I throw the peppers to them anyway. They'll eventually break down and add to the fertilizer.

 

[FeatherAndBloom]

When I called Kelso last month they told me (I hope I remember accurately!) they use Hoover and McMurray and at least one more in Oregon. I think the Battle Ground Wilco is similar but not exact.

Thank you so much!!!

 

[WAhoneybadger]

Deep wood chips are awesome. I really want to put them in the silkie pens. Hubby is almost convinced.

I made a trip to the grocery store and lucked out. There were several boxes of produce trimmings free for the taking, so I grabbed one that was filled with big endive leaves, tomatoes, oranges, which the girls love, and some peppers that they won't touch. Also a bag of Popeye spinach to make them strong to the finich. LOL

I throw the peppers to them anyway. They'll eventually break down and add to the fertilizer.

So

They are! The trick, I think, is to pile them on top of bare earth for access to natural microbes, and as a source of a little humidity to keep the system going, even if the woodchips seem to be completely dry.

Sorry if this is a stupid question. I tend to over analyze everything. Comes with the nature of my J O B. Most wood chips are cedar correct? Is this ok for the birds since I read everywhere that cedar gives them respiratory issues? My only hypothesis I came up with is maybe it's not as big of an issue if it's in the very bottom layer and pine, leaves, etc on top?

 

[ValerieJ]

So

Sorry if this is a stupid question. I tend to over analyze everything. Comes with the nature of my J O B. Most wood chips are cedar correct? Is this ok for the birds since I read everywhere that cedar gives them respiratory issues? My only hypothesis I came up with is maybe it's not as big of an issue if it's in the very bottom layer and pine, leaves, etc on top?

I wouldn't get cedar chips.

 

[bswim]

So

Sorry if this is a stupid question. I tend to over analyze everything. Comes with the nature of my J O B. Most wood chips are cedar correct? Is this ok for the birds since I read everywhere that cedar gives them respiratory issues? My only hypothesis I came up with is maybe it's not as big of an issue if it's in the very bottom layer and pine, leaves, etc on top?

I would not use cedar, there's a reason bugs don't eat it. Has toxins in it that prevents insects and rotting.

 

[Hinotori]

Fir is very common for wood chips. Tree service drop off you need to ask what tree types. Going by what my local tree service offers for firewood, I'd say a lot of fir. They don't offer the cottonwood for firewood, but those would be fine chips, too.