|
|
Post by lavandulagirl on Sept 3, 2008 11:54:26 GMT -5
Okay - the house came with a coop that is no more than about 12 years old. It's in a bit of disrepair, but still structurally sound. There are nest boxes and a roosting bar inside the little building, and a small yard for the chickens, also enclosed. There's old bedding etc in there, and some old feed and water devices.
Here's the question... if you aren't sure how well the chickens were kept, do you gut the place, or just clean it out? And how long would chicken parasites live in the bedding? If it's over a year old, what kind of disinfecting do I need to do? I figure I'd replace the food and water stuff, and of course clear out the bedding, but should I spray for mites and stuff?
|
|
|
|
Post by plantsnobin on Sept 3, 2008 13:37:44 GMT -5
Sounds like a nice coop, with the enclosed yard and all. I would just clean it out good, if it has been empty for a while I would think that any parasitic stuff would be gone without a host. If the food and water containers are still in good condition, I would just clean them with a 10% bleach solution. I really prefer the look of the galvanized waterers, but I can't get a good one that will hold water. Maybe they just don't make them like they used to.
|
|
|
|
Post by bluelacedredhead on Sept 3, 2008 22:00:00 GMT -5
Lav, Clean out the old bedding and bleach the house down as well as the feeders and waterers, just to be sure. There aren't many poultry diseases that will live on for longer than a few months, especially without birds there, but there are a few. CA was one of the states with quarantines due to disease outbreaks a few years back. I'd recommend that you just go that extra mile and disinfect it all. (Not trying to scare you, just being safe).
What kinds of chickens are you thinking of getting?? Large fowl?? or Bantams??
|
|
|
|
Post by flowerpower on Sept 3, 2008 22:00:45 GMT -5
Yeah just remove all the crap & give it a good cleaning. Check all the fencing etc.. Make sure the building is still animal -proofed- that nothing dug under or in it. It's so nice to have fresh eggs.
|
|
|
|
Post by lavandulagirl on Sept 3, 2008 22:16:12 GMT -5
So, just bleach will do it? I'm not sure about the breeds... pretty sure I'll get large fowl, not bantams.
|
|
|
|
Post by bluelacedredhead on Sept 4, 2008 8:21:54 GMT -5
Yep, Javex, Clorox, whatever they call it there. One year I used Pool Shock when I got a jug for free. Not terribly environmentally safe, I'm sorry. Or, use food grade peroxide, if you have a trusted source for that  Or Tea Tree Oil based cleaner. |
|
|
|
Post by lavandulagirl on Sept 4, 2008 15:57:19 GMT -5
Okay, done and done. So... if I get chicks, how big do they need to get before I move them into a coop? If I reinforce the chicken wire with something they can't fit through the holes of, can they live in there right away? I mean, as long as it's kept warm enough... this is CA, but the evenings get nippy.
|
|
|
|
Post by plantsnobin on Sept 4, 2008 18:10:57 GMT -5
I have some chicks right now that I am keeping in a rabbit cage, no bedding, they are big enough not to fall through the wire. I have them in my greenhouse/potting shed building, and I am not keeping a light on them. It has been in the 60's at night, no problems. Actually, I forgot to turn the light on them the second night I had them, and they were fine in the morning, so I decided that I wouldn't bother with the heat light anymore. I know all the books say to keep them at 95 or whatever, but my experience has been this time around, that maybe it just isn't needed. You need to make sure that they are protected from cool drafts. I would keep them penned in the coop until they are feathered nicely.
|
|
|
|
Post by bluelacedredhead on Sept 4, 2008 21:10:24 GMT -5
Lav, Chilling in the brooder can predispose them to Salmonella Infections. And huddling/crushing because they are chilled. Also, chilling can cause them to just plain have a "brain freeze" (figuratively speaking of course) and they forget to eat, drink or go into the (heat) light's warm rays. Summer is drawing to a close and nights are becoming much cooler. I think if you can find chicks this time of year you would be wise to provide them with supplementary heating, at least in overnight. Have you looked at breeds at all? Do you still have the link to www.feathersite.com |
|
|
|
Post by lavandulagirl on Sept 4, 2008 22:52:33 GMT -5
Maybe I'll bring the brooder box indoors at night. I think I'm going to get some chicks from the the feed store tomorrow. I know, I know, heresy, but it's hard to have less than 20 mailed, and I only want to start with 4 or 5 birds.
They have brahmas, and either red rocks or rhode island reds, and I think maybe leghorns. I'll probably get an assortment.
|
|
|
|
Post by bluelacedredhead on Sept 5, 2008 7:39:17 GMT -5
An assortment is a good way to find out what you like or not.
I love Brahma's. What colour do they sell, does it say?
I had Light Brahmas' (white with black 'highlights') for several years.
Rocks and RIR's are both lovely breeds.
Leghorns. Great egg layers; bad attitudes. They tend to be hyper compared to the other breeds on your list.
Babies! I love babies!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by lavandulagirl on Sept 5, 2008 11:46:57 GMT -5
Okay, I came home with 2 Black Australorps, 2 Brahmas (they're assorted, but one is definitely lighter than the other) and 2 Rhode Island Reds, one of whom is a loud baby who thinks she can fly. They are all starting to get their wing feathers. Such cute babies!!!
Gotta get on that picture posting thing...
|
|
|
|
Post by bluelacedredhead on Sept 5, 2008 13:18:57 GMT -5
Good choices All!!
Yep, pics pleez when you get it figured out.
|
|
|
|
Post by lavandulagirl on Sept 7, 2008 22:13:23 GMT -5
They are so cool, these chicks. So Blue, I was cruising the forums at feathersite, and there seems to be some difference in opinion on whether to give the peeps something to play with? Do you give yours toys?
They are very affectionate, by the way... the kids are thrilled.
|
|
|
|
Post by flowerpower on Sept 8, 2008 6:47:26 GMT -5
Good choices, Lav! You are putting them outside during the day?
|
|
