Washingtonians

[itsren]

For those Washingtonians who might be interested, Seattle Tilth has announced their coop and urban farm tour (July 14th) http://seattletilth.org/special_events/chickencoopurbanfarmtour2012

Cool! Thanks for sharing. I'm hoping I can go this year.

 

[Chickielady]

that is 2 Tbls of the solution right? or of straight bleach? And yep, forgot you had said 2 for sick birds. I have so much stuff "bookmarked" or printed off when I learn important stuff on BYC.

Step one:
get a clean empty milk jug or Sunny D 1 gallon jug.
Step 2:
Pour 2 cups of unscented household bleach into the jug.
Step 3:
top with water, add lid, and label SOLUTION.
I add a ribbon on the handle also....store under the sink or similar dark place.
Do not store in sunlight, sunlight destroys chlorine quickly.

Then:
For every gallon of bird drinking water, add 1 Tablespoon of the SOLUTION for well birds, and
2Tablespoons per gallon for sick birds.
I have about 10 milk jugs I mix the bird's water in. stored in a dark place (ice chest) and go pen to pen to give them fresh water daily.

 

[BerrytangleFarm]

So, on the run flooring discussion....my husband is of the opinion that when I put grass clippings or straw or anything organic on the run floor, it breaks down and needs to be uprooted and raked out. Does it?

I just wonder how the run is considered "clean" by NPIP standards or the like. It's covered so there's only mud from sideways blowing rain.

 

[Chickielady]

Dang, I'll never get back the 2 min I spent reading that chicken dodoo. Amazing there are people like this and they breed and vote. go figure

They are also trying to start a sactuary for the hopeless battered battery hens & rescued animals.
How long will that go on & who will pay for the land & feed ?
They are also deleting any comments we have sent, including most of us have asked they please clarify that we hobby famers LOVE our animals and care for them as we love them very much.
Not all free range eggs, or free range cattle/pigs or goats are treated inhumanely as they stated.

I'd hate my customers to read that poop & stop coming around thinking those inhumane preactices are the norm.

Some of us are allergic to soy.
Seriously, if no eggs, what would I eat for protein source ?

 

[Chickielady]

We just bought some food quality DE at Dell's in Monroe. 50 lb bag cost 20 dollars.

$25 at Montesano farm & Feed for 50#

Reminds me I need to go dust my lettuce beds with some...kills the earwhigs & slugs pretty good !

 

[Chickielady]

Is the price of straw pretty much the same all over? I need a bale so I can stock the nest boxes and the throw some in the run. Can't do hay, I' horrifyingly allergic to it. Hoping straw is better. Where do I get it?

I have been buying 1 bale of COMPRESSED STRAW,very heavy, once you cut the ties it pops open !
This straw has been rolled to flatten & soften it, not stiff and scrathy like regualar bales of straw.
Less places for bugs to hide if it is compressed as well.
Last a LONG time.

 

[Chickielady]

I have a friend who's husband swerved to avoid hitting a squirrel. He drove straight into a tree and he's suffers longterm effects of a serious brain injury. It sounds like your son got lucky. Tell him about my friend's husband - maybe it will help reinforce the point. Although, I think it is a reflex reaction to avoid hitting an animal.

My DH aimes for squirrels in the road, especially chipmunks which he hates.
They run through his shop barking & chirping at him and he hates them !
Last few days he has had another run in & try to make a nest behind his work bench...running all over knocking tools on the floor & pitching fits.
barks like a tiny pit bull when ever DH is in his shop.
I fear one day he will swerve to HIT the chipmunk & go into a tree LOL Crazy guy !!!!!!!!!!

I think they are cute, he hates them !!!!!!!!!!

 

[Chickielady]

Sorry Greg I know what ya meant BUT well ........ That's just some funny stuff.

Yup they love looking for their crack !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Chickielady]

What do you all suggest to put on the floor of the run then, if not straw. I certainly don't want to encourage bacteria growth, I want something easy to shovel out every few weeks or months (my run doesn't get very dirty, nor does the coop, because they free range all day and poop on the poop board all night. There's just poop in the run from when they're in there eating or drinking, or begging for treats.

Very small pea gravel, and/or crushed oyster shell.
Straw will rot & gets wet and hardheavy to remove.

 

[chickenjane82]

Is the price of straw pretty much the same all over? I need a bale so I can stock the nest boxes and the throw some in the run. Can't do hay, I' horrifyingly allergic to it. Hoping straw is better. Where do I get it?

Ive always been told straw runs a higher risk for mites.
I just put shavings in my nest boxes.