Please Answer!!!!

[s-kswenson]

So... I have looked at many learning center articles and they all are a little confusing or have "chicken words" that I am not familiar with. I am getting my chickens in a couple weeks and I have NO IDEA how to take care of them. Do I need to clean out the poo with a scraper, a garbage bag, a broom... what? And what do I feed them and how often do I let them roam in the yard...? We are moving to a new house and they already have the 5 chickens (that come with the house) and the coop, the fencing, everything. And they also have this:

I don't know what that is or what to do with it. So... if help can be provided that would be GREAT!

 

[bobbi-j]

So... I have looked at many learning center articles and they all are a little confusing or have "chicken words" that I am not familiar with. I am getting my chickens in a couple weeks and I have NO IDEA how to take care of them. Do I need to clean out the poo with a scraper, a garbage bag, a broom... what? And what do I feed them and how often do I let them roam in the yard...? We are moving to a new house and they already have the 5 chickens (that come with the house) and the coop, the fencing, everything. And they also have this:

I don't know what that is or what to do with it. So... if help can be provided that would be GREAT!

You have a lot of questions that don't have any one size fits all answers. Some people don't clean out their coops but once a year or so. They use what's called the deep litter method. Some people clean their coops daily. It all depends on your preference, size of coop, if it starts to smell... What age chickens are you getting? Chicks? Feed them chick starter or grower. If they are layers, feed them layer feed. How often you let them roam in the yard is up to you. Mine get let out in the morning and locked up at night, whether we're here to supervise or not. Yes there is a chance of losing them to predators, but it's a chance I'm willing to take. I can't really see what your picture is of. If it's in the coop and the chickens are used to it, leave it. They don't take to change well. The main thing is, don't overthink it. If you are giving them food and water, shelter from the elements and predators you are doing just fine. They really don't need any more than that.

 

[s-kswenson]

OK thank you. I am getting chickens that are fully grown, but I don't know their exact age. Someone said the picture is of where they go to the bathroom and you clean it out the back, but I'm not sure what that means. I don't exactly have the chickens yet, but my parents have seen them and we are taking them home tomorrow.

 

[Jessie84]

My chickens have a small coop (maybe 3x3x3); I use wood shavings for bedding and scoop the poop out every week with the same kind of scooper you would use for cat litter. I just put it in a plastic shopping bag and throw it out -- but recently, my neighbor asked me if I would give it to her for my compost pile. Sure, why not!

 

[Hen-rietta]

I too have a small coop and use wood shavings. I go and clean out any mess every couple of days. Once a month or every couple of months I plan on doing a good clean where I take out everything, clean the coop and start fresh. I keep a 5 gallon bucket under the nesting boxes. In this bucket is a large trash bag and a whole bunch of grocery bags or small trash bags. I use a shovel and rake I bought at the Dollar Tree (kitty litter scooper would be fine too as mentioned above) and put it in a little grocery bag, tie the bag and put it in the big bag. About once a week or so, I take out the big trash bag and take it to the dump...after filling it with the dog mess from the dog pen. So far, I haven't had any smell issues from the coop or the bucket. I think taking care of it before it gets too bad is the key.