my chickens - again!

[crisgal]

my girls are settling in nicely but during all my hours of reseaech I never once read about how much their poo smells!
does anyone have any tips on the best way of clearing it up?
I wanted to let it dry and sweep it up, but it attracts a lot of flies so maybe swilling it when it's wet,as soon as they've done it is the best way?

[carmalee]

think you'll find that swilling out is a full time job and not a good idea for the area/coop to be permanently wet anyway. - I've always put bedding down (whatever was available) and swept it out regularly - also have sprayed the coop with an approved for poultry deterrent. if the chickens free range it shouldn't be too much of a problem - where are you UK or abroad? try this site www.poultry.allotment.org.uk ›

[crisgal]

hi, we are uk and they are free roaming around the garden during the day.

[carmalee]

well Crisgal, I've used builders sand, shavings (sawdust is a bit fine imo), shredded paper, straw and meilie husks (when we were in Africa - the outer casings of corn on the cob) and always kept them as dry and clean as possible and never had a problem. You'll find what suits you best soon I'm sure. you sound as though you've gone to a lot of trouble for your ladies - good luck with them - aren't they just the greatest things to have about the place?

[crisgal]

i am SO in love with them! They are absolutely gorgeous and know they'll be super pets. They have already made us laugh so much with their funny ways. thanks for the advice ♥

[askyourgran]

Just make sure you are animal proof, we have a fox that comes around occasionally.

[crisgal]

we live in a seaside town, askyourgran, and have never seen or heard of foxes around here. They also go in their coop at night too. so finger's crossed!

[mrs.chappie]

It's great to read how happy you are with your chucks, crisgal. It's soooo good to know that they've been given a caring home. As an animal lover, I love to read posts like this.

Well done lass. x

[jomifl]

Reading about the smell of shicken chit wouldn't have prepared you for it anyway.

[seekeerz]

they are delightful companions, aren't they !! when they're tame you can have wonderful conversations with them and they talk back - yes I know, sounds a worry, doesn' t it !! Our council has clamped down on people having backyard chooks in the past few years - neighbours complain about being woken by a hen having laid an egg !! - I ask you !!

[LoftyLottie]

For the whole of last week I couldn't have my windows open because of the chicken sh!t that has been spread on the farmland all around me!!

[josaphine32]

taming them is so easy when you have a pot of meal worms, Mine only have to hear the container open and they are there like a shot, Mine are all hand fed and 2 of them comes and sit on our laps for a stroke, I'm sure they think they are dogs.

[crisgal]

that's really interesting josaphine32, how long was it to get them so tame? Do youmean live worms?