Where did they come from???

[Molpet]

 

[Crooked Chicken]

The tubby monster remains untouched....
Question: What is the mixture ratio of the tubby? Sand, wood ash and DE?

You might add a little peat to the mix as well -- mine love the "dirt" smeall I think. I got one of those compressed bags. What I didn't use in the dirt bath I tossed in the run.

What is the "egg song"?

You'll know it when you hear it. Usually before and after egg laying. Might even start hours before. Mine usually start the song in droves when I coop cleaning -- I think it's for extra attention and admiration. I've noticed some don't sing the song immediately after laying -- they will wait until the have my undivided attention.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Listen to either I posted you will know what to listen for

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

The tire has some depth to it... What percentage of each (ash, sand, dirt, DE) do I use? The ash is so soft I would imagine they would sink and freak them out.

 

[biophiliac]

The tire has some depth to it... What percentage of each (ash, sand, dirt, DE) do I use? The ash is so soft I would imagine they would sink and freak them out.

IMO there is no set recipe, like @CrookedChicken said dirt is good, even just plain potting soil without fertilizer added is great bc its fluffy, add a little peat for an attractive smell and some wood ash when you have it. I wouldn't bother with DE. Have fun and make your own 'Ketterman Hill' signature recipe dust bath. I prefer not to use sand - like some people don't like cilantro - personal preference, doesn't mean it's not going to work for your birds.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

IMO there is no set recipe, like @CrookedChicken said dirt is good, even just plain potting soil without fertilizer added is great bc its fluffy, add a little peat for an attractive smell and some wood ash when you have it. I wouldn't bother with DE. Have fun and make your own 'Ketterman Hill' signature recipe dust bath. I prefer not to use sand - like some people don't like cilantro - personal preference, doesn't mean it's not going to work for your birds.

Well...there is a bag of sand and the rest ash in there now...with a few sprinkles of DE in there. Just seems too soft to stand on... I'll grab dirt from the garden this weekend.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Along the lines of other items not being touched....the grit. It doesn't seem like they eat it/ use it...or whatever it is they do with it. The bowl has been like that for some time now... Should I be concerned?

 

[Molpet]

Along the lines of other items not being touched....the grit. It doesn't seem like they eat it/ use it...or whatever it is they do with it. The bowl has been like that for some time now... Should I be concerned?View attachment 1203403

no concern..they probably are finding enough on the ground in the run for now... mine didn't go through much the first year unless snow was on the ground... now they use a lot, but they have used up the suitable stuff from the ground

 

[Kusanar]

Along the lines of other items not being touched....the grit. It doesn't seem like they eat it/ use it...or whatever it is they do with it. The bowl has been like that for some time now... Should I be concerned?View attachment 1203403

Is there any gravel in their coup/run that they could be getting into? Free range birds pick the majority of their grit from the ground, maybe yours are doing the same in their run??

I don't have chickens, but, I do have a pigeon, and the amount of grit that he can go through is fairly impressive, but, being a smaller bird, the grit he takes is much smaller and presumably gets dissolved to the point that it goes through his system much faster than a hen with much larger grit pieces... For reference, I give my pigeon chick grit.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

The run is the forest floor with the added monsters (leaves) that I put in there. I notice they rub the side of their beaks on stuff...is that normal?