Been reading for a couple of days. Love this group lots of info for
sure. I had chickens a few years back lost them to predators. I am now
attempting to raise some Guineas and have hit a terrible predator
problem. I am dealing with it but out of forty Guineas am down to
eight. I am on BYC but wanted another source of discussion. I like
groups because I don't have to launch a website to contribute. My place
is in the High Desert of Southern California. San Diego county very
near the Mexican border. So My idea of a coop is waaay different than
many. Its also an area where being self sufficient is very important.
Closest decent feed store is thirty miles away Closest Grocery store is
sixty miles away.
Just a couple of things I might be able to contribute.
White poo is Chickens form of Urine. Their systems are geared for water
conservation so the urine is dry and excreted with the poop.
Space for chickens in a coop. Some say 2 square feet some say 4. I say
its not necessarily set in stone. The Guineas need more. It also
depends on how long they are cooped up together, What breeds you have,
And how well your coop is designed, Fresh air, roosting space access to
the outside. But if you take it logically the more space you can give
them the better. In the cold they will want to group together closely
for warmth.
What to put on the floor. I have dirt floors of hard packed Decomposed
granite. This is the ""soil"" of my desert. I read the oil and lime
post and whole heartedly agree. For me I use Rice hulls for litter. I
like them because they do not pack together in one mass like shavings
do. Mosture goes right through them so I can feel free to dump out the
water right in the coop. (remember I have dirt floors) Within minutes
the coop floor is reasonably dry. They are more expensive than
shavings but they go farther. And can be used in the compost pile as
well. I used them for my horse for a couple of years when I boarded at
a stable that had very poor drainage in her 24 x 24 corral. She had a
low spot and it filled up with pee and poo and made a slurry mess in the
wintertime. WE got it drained and I started adding rice hulls. It
took five bags initially but even when it rained my horse had a dry
place to lay down. After the initial addition of hulls I only had to
add a bag once a week. When the corral cleaners came to clean they
werent scooping out the rice hulls too. After that experience I was
sold. Now with the Guineas the poo just disappears in and all you see
are rice hulls. I n the brooder (after they reach the age you can take
away the newspaper or shelf liner) you can simply vaccuum them out.
with a shop vac. When and if I get chickens at this point I will give
rice hulls a try in the nest boxes as well.
I really like the idea of carrying around the Rooster by the feet. I
have never had a problem with an aggressive roo. And at one point I had
several in my previous flock of 40. They spent time on each other and
watching out for the hens. They were the first to go when the predators
started in on them. Sigh.... I miss Waylen Willie Bubba and Elvis....
On occasion I have visited places that had an aggressive Roo and been
spurred. It was an immediate reaction on my part, a swift kick designed
to launch the roo and send him packing. He came back only one more time
to try his luck. After that he pestered other people but gave me a wide
birth.
Feed: Wow for some that's a subject of controversy..... me its simple.
You use what you have available and is produced in a consistent manner.
Unfortunately for me there is no feedmill access locally. The nearest
feedmill for me is a half days drive. In order to place an order to be
delivered you have to buy 2000 lbs. So I have to depend on feedstores
that carry decent fresh feed. Fortunately for me there are two big Zoos
here in San Diego and a number of people who raise exotics. I have a
feed store that carries Purena gamebird Startina which is 30 percent and
an excellent starter feed for Guinea Fowl. They are now on Purena flock
raiser. I want to use Mazuri game bird eventually. But I hear if you
use Mazuri as a 10 percent addition to any poultry feed it acts like a
supplement and gives the micro nutrients that may be missing.
I have to go. First post I know wont go through for a time. I am
looking forward to meeting you all and making some new friends
deb
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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