Washingtonians

[Nikki99]

Quote:
That's true about the condensation. This is my first winter with chickens so we shall see what happens!

So far, we've had no condensation, we have had some pretty chilly nights and Lord knows we've definitely had rain already! It's really going to be a "learn as we go" kinda winter. Luckily my DH is very understanding and helpful!

 

[jenreinke]

Finches have to be hand fed and even then rarely survive, they aren't like chickens that can take care of themselves right away. The parents are either hatching the eggs or it isn't going to happen. I can't hand feed a baby bird.

Don't bet on that! I had 2 one day and then I had 3. Baby survived and grew up. No hand feeding from me!

 

[itsren]

Quote:
I have read that, too. That said, experience has taught me that what you "read" about can be very different from what you actually "see" or experience. People can describe things, and then when you actually see the set-up it is a lot different from what you imagined it would be. I'd be cautious about trying that unless I actually witnessed a set-up where it really worked.

Microbes help break down compost, but that doesn't mean I'd want my animals walking, living in, sleeping near said compost. Not to mention, compost is a huge attraction for rats. They like to dig into the warmth of it.

Common sense needs to come into play into animal husbandry, as well.

As for your question - I have a dirt floor in my run. I scoop it. It is a small run so I scoop it daily. Those with larger runs wouldn't need to do that, but I need to so my girls always have a clean place to walk around on. They poop a lot. It doesn't take long before my girls won't have clean places to walk if I don't scoop. But it also only takes about 5 minutes of my time to completely scoop the entire coop and run each day. I also keep a sprinkling of oyster shell and cherry grit over the top of the dirt floor.

This kind of reinforces how someone may read about something that may not translate into what everyone should do. If I had just told you that I scoop daily, and you have a huge run, you might imagine someone scooping a huge run on a daily basis. I've seen large runs that I wouldn't scoop daily - no way! But, mine is small, so I have to if I want my tiny flock to stay healthy.

 

[Chickielady]

That's true about the condensation. This is my first winter with chickens so we shall see what happens!

So far, we've had no condensation, we have had some pretty chilly nights and Lord knows we've definitely had rain already! It's really going to be a "learn as we go" kinda winter. Luckily my DH is very understanding and helpful!

We have enough condensation from their breathing, and that in all coops here are 2x4 with full insulation/double walled.
If it gets wet enough, then you get mold, yuck.

 

[Chickielady]

YIPPEE My chantecler made it to the finals !!!!!!!!!!!!

Hopefully he makes in in the calendar !!!!!!!!!!!!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...he-2013-byc-calendar-pictures/50#post_9797699

Voting is over, but you can still go down to Nifty's link to see the finalist entries.

 

[itsren]

Quote: I see my chicken run as a similar biological system. The chickens are providing a constant source of ammonia, and if I keep the bedding fluffy, those bacteria have a nice aerobic place to live and convert the ammonia to less harmful substances as it's deposited, so if I stick my face down in the bedding (ended up that way last week trying to make the run more secure) there's only an earthy compost smell.

It sounds like Justahannah has a working biological deep litter over a dirt floor system. It sounds like stirring the litter helps keep the amonia levels down, but, it is still not something I would try unless I could see it and learn by seeing, rather than learn by reading. If I were to run off and try this by just reading about it, I might make a critical error and accidentally injure my birds because my set-up may be extremely different than Justahannah's.

 

[itsren]

The black kitten I got when I was 4 we named Sooty.

My 10-year-old was still upset this morning that "Softie" was changed to "Latte". I think we came to an agreement that he can call it "Softie" and I will call it "Latte". LOL. This momma needs herself a cute little Latte!

 

[itsren]

Oh wait!! I did save the article on the DL method!! Yay!

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/9QuJFt/www.plamondon.com/faq_deep_litter.html/


This article is really what made my mind up about trying the DL method. I'm sure I'm not doing it perfectly, but it's working well so far.

Thanks for the link.

 

[StarryEyzz]

HI! I've been gone a while dealing with a sick family member. But finally have time to check in to the WA board

I have a question. I live on the 'west side'. For those who are lighting their coops in morning, what is a good time to start? I hear some say 14 hours of light is a must. But have also read that long isn't necessary. What has been your guys experience????

THANKS

 

[itsren]

YIPPEE My chantecler made it to the finals !!!!!!!!!!!!

Hopefully he makes in in the calendar !!!!!!!!!!!!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...he-2013-byc-calendar-pictures/50#post_9797699

Voting is over, but you can still go down to Nifty's link to see the finalist entries.

CONGRATS! Let's hope he makes the calendar!