When to offer crushed oyster shell and opening the nest boxes

[dtpauly]

I picked up some chicken wire on the way home from work tonight, so am going to try that on the fence first, as I need access to the roof since it comes open and that is how I feed and water them. Hopefully this will work! Thanks!

 

[TWent]

Ok thanks, they are 18 weeks this week. I'd better go get some oyster shells so I'm ready. Also, another question - someone told me that you should be some powder stuff on them to prevent bugs?

I am pretty sure the powder stuff they were talking about was Diatomaceous Earth. I use it when I clean out the coop. I put new straw down and sprinkle the DE over top. Here is a definition of DE a soft, crumbly, porous sedimentary deposit formed from the fossil remains of diatoms. Apparently, it is really sharp to bugs, but doesn't hurt chickens or humans. It is all natural and can even be eaten if it is the food grade version. I have some friends that put it in drinks and smoothies for the many health benefits. I use it in my garden for bugs and have read on here that some people use it in their feed and nesting boxes. Hope that helps!!

 

[alc245]

We made dust baths with DE, wood fire ash, sand and dirt in old tires that the chickens. The DE is supposedly safe and a natural element.