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chicken bedding question...HELP!

Untitled Comment

01:08, Sunday, January 7, 2007 .. Posted by Kitty

This would be my advice to you. Don't put all the hay in at once.
I buy a bale of hay and store it in another shed. I spread the hay on the floor of the coop about an inch or two thick. I also shovel it out about once a month. The hens will move it around and let it circulate and therefore the stinch won't be so bad. I really think your just putting too much hay all at once. On the other hand I was given a huge bag of wood shaveings and I put that in there. If you can get a hold of that you can use that too. That might absorb some smell .
PS I know what you mean about it being your job, I have the some problem here with the chickens and the rabbits, since I wanted them I'm responsible for their upkeep. Somedays I wish I would have never opened my mouth. LOL
Good Luck
Kitty

Suggestion from a noobie

01:20, Sunday, January 7, 2007 .. Posted by mejerrymouse

Well, I don't have chickens...yet. But I have talked to a lot of people about getting them so I have some insight from that. Depending on how much land you have (and you wouldn't really need much--only a half acre or so), you could actually build a moveable pen (mostly out of chicken wire with a "skirt" to keep fox and such from digging under the wire--it'd also need a wood section for protection from the weather, roosting, and such). Just keep rotating the pen--you'd have to move it every day, but the rain would wash away the waste and you wouldn't have to acquire or clean the bedding. Each chicken needs 3-4 square feet of space in the housing portion of the pen. This would also decrease your feed needs as they'd be more grass fed and eating bugs and such. Don't know if this is feasible for you or not, but figured I'd throw it out there--just in case ;)

wood stove pellets

03:18, Sunday, January 7, 2007 .. Posted by hanemlee

We use Wood Stove Pellets. They works soooo well! They also don't cost a whole lot where I'm at...What happens is that the pellets absorb all the moisture from the chickens and they disinigrate to a powdery dust. They also absorbs smell...It works really good. Sometimes I add wood shavings on top of the stove pellets, but that is not really needed. I have 70 chickens and it still works well...
emy

Here's my idea

10:16, Sunday, January 7, 2007 .. Posted by Pattisea

Hold your breath and work fast!

ROFLOL!

I know, I am so helpful!

What about a wet vac? You could suck it all up and have the kids empty it?

Oh, I know...get a leaf blower!! I am serious. You could blow it all out, and then pile it up for your compost! I think that's the ticket!

Patti

Untitled Comment

05:56, Monday, January 8, 2007 .. Posted by shelley43022

I agree with the above comments - put in less litter, scoop monthly and hold your breath and work quick! That is what I do. Also the farm exchange where I buy my feed sells animal litter deoderizer. You sprinkle it into the litter and it is supposed to get rid of the amonia smell.

joyfull homemaker