Washingtonians

[RonB]

rainplace
your ducks sleep inside at night? do they go in on their own? ours sleep outside. we have a plastic dog house with pine shavings but they haven't used it yet. what is the deep liter method and DE?

 

[weaveagarden]

Quote:
Other than "what breed or gender am I?", I think what is the deep litter method is about the most asked question there is on BYC. Try doing a search in the search field near the top right of this page. You will get many ideas for how others use the deep litter method. To give you a quick description, it is a method of using several inches (6-10) of dry material like white shavings (non-evergreen based usually) and either DE (diatomatious earth) or StallDri (or other clay and DE mixture) or dirt or any or all of these products.
By using a litter boards under the roosts (and changing these often), some people have been able to go about 1/2 year between full scale cleanings of their coops. They add product as needed to keep the litter dry and fluff everyday or every week, or add scratch corn and let the chickens do the fluffing. The key is to keep the litter completely dry. This is used in the house itself. Some people do use a similar method outside I think, but I am not sure what that is all about. I think they may be in much dryer areas than mine, or probably yours.
DE, Diatomatious Earth, is a powder like substance that is actually the fossil shells of tiny diatoms (sea life). It is used in a wide array of uses, but here is used to keep the litter dry. It is also used to kill and deter lyce mites and other insect life by cutting in to the soft areas of their bodies until they dehydrate and die
Food Grade is often called PermaGuard.

 

[rainplace]

Quote:
They put themselves to bed... it's the cutest thing. The first few nights in their new duck house I had to round them up and put them in there (ducks HATE change) but by the third night they did it themselves. They mill around and chat about it for a while, then they just charge right in there. My geese are the last to go in, and sometimes I have to encourage my gander to go, but mostly I just go back there and lock up at dusk.

Weavegarden nailed it with the deep litter method. I started with about 4 inches of pine shavings and some DE. I have to fluff myself because ducks don't help with the fluffing at all. I occasionally add some DE and fresh bedding on top. The DE also neutralizes the ammonia.... I think. And yes, put "deep litter method" into the search thingy at the top right and you'll a wealth of info.

 

[feathersnuggles]

Hi everyone,
I live in W. Seattle. Got chicks in May and the first one just started laying this past Saturday. I'm pumped!

Anyway, to the questions about DE ... about a month ago, I picked up a 50# bag of food grade DE at the Issaquah Grange. With only 5 hens, that size will last me FOREVER, but at $26/bag it was the best price I could find nearby. They also sell the same food grade DE in bulk (scoop & pay for the amount you want). I don't remember their bulk price, though.

Also, to the person in Seattle who wanted to find a nearby source for feed, check out Seattle Urban Farm Coop. Members purchase feed at bulk wholesale prices several times per year, and the feed is delivered to a location in Seattle where you pick up your order.

 

[Greg Richardson]

If you go to the website you'll see besides seeds they will swap out your light bulbs for free also. If you ever have thought of solar power for your coop or anything else there will be a couple reps there and you can see if it is worth the cost for your situation.


Free Seeds (Everett)

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Date: 2009-09-14, 10:06PM PDT
Reply to: [email protected] [Errors when replying to ads?]

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Seed Exchange or free seeds: bring seeds you don't want, take seeds you can use!
The 5th annual Renewable Living Fair in Everett on October 3, 2009, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, is located at the Snohomish County PUD on Hewitt.
There will be a key note speaker, Paul Stamets, renowned mycologist, who will speak on how mushrooms can save the world. There will be exhibitors for solar and wind energy, electric cars and more. Music, food, activities for children!
Look for the Transition Everett table for the seed exchange. We'll have free seed for you to take, even if you don't bring any to exchange. Argula, calendula, marigold, sweet pea - come early for the best selection!
There is an admission fee of $5.
For more information check out the website:
www.green-everett.org

 

[RonB]

weaveagraden
Thanks for taking the time to answer my question and telling me about the search button in the top right corner. I tried a search a few weeks ago,but didn't use that button. not sure what I did. but it DIDN'T work!
So were is the best place to buy DE ? I"m concerned that I might use TOO much. I read someone uses a flour sifter . anyone else do that?
Will they eat it by its self or do you have to put it in their food? last question(really I have more) Is lice easy to see on a chicken? or how do you know if they have it? My girls don't like to be picked up. so I hope I can tell without doing that.
Thanks again to EVERYBODY for your help Who knows maybe one of these days one of my girls might decide to lay an egg!

 

[aquanetta]

Quote:
Maybe look at hay and feed shops? I was able to get a bucket of food grade DE for $5 at Dayville Feed and Barn Supply in Snohomish.

 

[feathersnuggles]

As I posted previously, I got my food grade DE at the Issaquah Grange at $26 for 50# bag. They also carry food grade DE in bulk, where you can scoop & pay for the amount you want.

 

[weaveagarden]

Quote:
There isn't really any hard and fast rule to the use of DE, except that you don't want to breathe it yourself if you can help it. Some people use a dust mask when they are working with it. I am pretty easy. I just don't work it up so it is flying in the air. It feels very much like talcum powder.
It is pretty forgiving. I read somewhere that the DE can be added to food at about 2%. But if you add it to your litter, they are sure to ingest some of it which will help with worms. Lice can sometimes be seen. But again, with the use of the DE, you will likely keep any problems at bay. Personally, I like the stall dry very much and am so far using more of it than the straight DE. I had to buy 50# online because I couldn't find it here in podunckland. It sounds like it is much easier to find along the I-5 corridor.
I would try co-ops and nurseries. I have also heard that hot tub stores carry it, but I don't know if it is food grade.
DE is also great in the garden, and under your house to keep insects away there as well. And humans use it as a deterrent to parasites.

 

[Greg Richardson]

Those of you near Port Orchard check this out. Can see pictures at link


http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/grd/1376730337.html

$$$ FULL FLOCK - 30 birds – Exclusive variety of BREEDS - $50 (Port Orchard)

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Date: 2009-09-15, 9:30PM PDT
Reply to: [email protected] [Errors when replying to ads?]

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My Dearest chicken lovers!!!
We are, like many others, loosing our lovely ranch and have to relocate to apartment.
And what surprise me, even in "pets welcome" places there is no place for my greatest hobby, my birdies.
MY HEART IS BLEEDING!!!

I'm desperately looking for new home for my pets:

4 POLIsh hens (1 yo) laying white eggs, 3 black/ white crested and one golden lace
5 COCHIN hens (1 yo) laying small brown eggs, VARIETY OF COLORS
6 AMERAUCANA hens, (2yo) laying ***HUGE ***BLUE***EGGS !!! SUPERIOR LAYERS !!!
7 COCHIN roosters (1 yo) VARIETY OF COLORS
1 POLISH rooster (1yo) black/ white crested
2 AMERAUCANA roosters (2yo) red and white/red splash
6 2-month old POLISH pullets ( young hens) TOTALLY ADORABLE

FEEDING/WATERING SUPPLY will be added FREE-FREE-FREE...

I am open to discuss every offer,
Fill free to email me to ask any questions
Cash only acceptable as a payment

Thank you for stop by