why I come out ahead

[crj]

Just read something somewhere on the computer, can't remember where, but this guy uses pine needles for bedding in his brooder. He said the chicks kept eating the shavings so he switched and all is well.
I may give it a try we have a ton laying around on the ground here.

 

[NonnasBabies]

Quote:
I prob will too. I don't have an enclosed coop so it's a waste to put pine shavings in there. I usually just use leaves but there by this time there pretty much composted down in there coop. I'm fighting sloppy mud right now since it's been raining here almost everyday for a week. I think the pine needles might help in my run. Not real worried about the resin because the ones I'll be getting are on the ground and dried!!

Missi

 

[Tracyfeltsmills]

I also use deep liter method with shredded paper but i have attached a board full lengh across to keep liter in place. i also have a cheap trap draped underneath there roost which catches almost all of it. Daily cleaning involves take trap off the nailes that hold it and rinsing it off. Rarely do i get any mess in their bedding and the tarp has gromets so goes up and down easily. Would'nt do it any other way now.

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
If you use pine NEEDLES, be sure that your dog never gets anywhere near them and the chicken poo. The combination is poisonous, almost killed my dog, and cost me a fortune in vet bills to save her.

 

[eKo_birdies]

Quote:
If you use pine NEEDLES, be sure that your dog never gets anywhere near them and the chicken poo. The combination is poisonous, almost killed my dog, and cost me a fortune in vet bills to save her.

can you please elaborate a little on what exactly happened to your dog?

i essentially live in a national forest, so needless to say dogs, pine needles, and chicken poo are close acquaintances.

 

[jeb251]

I love your coop and your home is beautiful Joe, now how about coming off of some of those orps

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
If you use pine NEEDLES, be sure that your dog never gets anywhere near them and the chicken poo. The combination is poisonous, almost killed my dog, and cost me a fortune in vet bills to save her.

can you please elaborate a little on what exactly happened to your dog?

i essentially live in a national forest, so needless to say dogs, pine needles, and chicken poo are close acquaintances.

She was unconscious and hardly breathing when we found her on the floor. I thought that she was dead at first.

 

[chickenguru]

Quote:
I prob will too. I don't have an enclosed coop so it's a waste to put pine shavings in there. I usually just use leaves but there by this time there pretty much composted down in there coop. I'm fighting sloppy mud right now since it's been raining here almost everyday for a week. I think the pine needles might help in my run. Not real worried about the resin because the ones I'll be getting are on the ground and dried!!

Missi

Just be careful in using the dried pine needles. I figured some time back I would save some
money and use the pine needles since we have so much of it so I put some on the ground
and lined the nest boxes with it. It was okay until I had 2 pullets almost lose an eye because the
pointed end poked them.
Saw the list that the OP made and we seem to be about on the same page. We may not do
everything the same but for the most part their plan and mine is about the same. And I do make
a profit from my chickens. I have had people drive to here from as far as 100 miles away to
pay 10.00 for a 3 month old pullet. I do real good on sales but don't really try to sale mine until
they are a few weeks old. I prefer to wait until they are about 3 months old but that is just a
personal preferance.
I sell and I will trade. If the customer get what they want and I get what I want in a trade that works the same
as a profit. Heck I just traded (5) 3 month old for a nice big healthy billy goat.
I would have to really sit down and write on paper all the things I do and how I do it but you
can make a profit if you make a plan and follow through on it. Stick with it and don't give
up and you can make it work.
I even have a pretty goo market for roosters here so i don't have to try and to figure out
what the heck I am gonna do with all the roos I hatch.

 

[eKo_birdies]

Quote:
can you please elaborate a little on what exactly happened to your dog?

i essentially live in a national forest, so needless to say dogs, pine needles, and chicken poo are close acquaintances.

She was unconscious and hardly breathing when we found her on the floor. I thought that she was dead at first.

that is horrible, i'm sorry for anyone to have to walk in and see their dog like that. thankfully she is alright now.

was it because of the oils or what? that's kinda what i'm asking... how exactly did the needles negatively impact your dog's health?

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
I have a couple of young, gorgeous roosters if you would like to have them. They're free. You can have a dozen eggs to go with them too if you want to incubate some. Free, but you have to come get them. I don't mail anything.

BTW, the bbs Orpingtons that I have now are even better, actually much better, than those on my BYC Page since I started my own breeding program in the barn two years ago. I need to update my pictures.