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       #Post#: 8215--------------------------------------------------
       Re: i need advice on breeding
   DIR By: Paul Conway
       Date: July 20, 2011, 11:24 pm
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       I used wood chips initially because that is what I use for my
       chickens and that is what I have on hand, but  The shavings go
       flying everytime the birds flydown or fly up and get in
       everything from the pick pots to the food troughs and especially
       the waterers, even when they are elevated to the birds chest
       hieght.  Work great for my chickens, but not so much for my
       pigeons.  I also bought the same sand as Tom at a similar price.
       good luck, Paul Conway.
       #Post#: 8248--------------------------------------------------
       Re: i need advice on breeding
   DIR By: Fhtfire
       Date: July 24, 2011, 3:31 pm
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       Paul,
       I used Wood Pellets...the kind for a pellet stove. They work
       AWESOME. They are cheap and they last.  You just rake the top
       layer and then sweep it to make it smooth for company. You just
       add more pellets as needed. I have used 8 bags in 4 years.
       The only thing I dont like about sand is that I want the birds
       to eat the grit that I give them with the minerals.....I used
       sand at the get go but switched because my birds were eating the
       sand as grit...same with kitty litter....that was the only down
       fault.
       rock and ROLL
       Paul
       #Post#: 8250--------------------------------------------------
       Re: i need advice on breeding
   DIR By: joeb
       Date: July 24, 2011, 5:23 pm
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       Like Paul, I use the wood pellets and they work great. I had the
       same experience as Paul with the birds eating the sand so
       switched to the pellets with excellent results.
       Keep em spinning
       Joe B
       #Post#: 8251--------------------------------------------------
       Re: i need advice on breeding
   DIR By: oldfart
       Date: July 24, 2011, 5:26 pm
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       Hey Paul,JoeB, My setup is such that the kit birds can never get
       to the sand, so they can only eat what I give. I keep 50% pigeon
       grit mixed with 50% oyster shell in with my breeders 24/7's even
       though they are on straight pellets. I also feed my non-flying
       breeders ( I have three cock's and four hens) pellets in the off
       season. I have never noticed the birds eating sand but I was not
       looking for it ether. I will pay a little closer attention.
       Learn something everyday! :)
       Be safe Paul
       Take care my friends
       Thom
       #Post#: 8263--------------------------------------------------
       Re: i need advice on breeding
   DIR By: marvin
       Date: July 25, 2011, 11:25 am
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       Oldfart, Paul, and Joeb? so do you take the wood pellets and
       place them al through the coop. im new to this so as of now i
       have an8x8x8 foot coop and i have perches everywhare no boxes i
       have 20 birds. but i did not know that there should be something
       in the cage, whats the reason? where can i get grit and oyster
       shells. what is grit and its purpose.
       #Post#: 8278--------------------------------------------------
       Re: i need advice on breeding
   DIR By: oldfart
       Date: July 25, 2011, 4:43 pm
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       Hey Marvin, I have never tried the wood pellets, so I will speak
       only about what I have used. Over the years I used wood
       shavings, sawdust, ceder chips and sand. I like the sand the
       best but which ever floor covering you use it's purpose is to
       protect the floor and make cleaning easier. So, yes cover the
       whole floor. Clean it often and it will be much easier to
       maintain and your birds will stay cleaner and healthier. ( jmho)
       Take care
       Thom
       #Post#: 8281--------------------------------------------------
       Re: i need advice on breeding
   DIR By: donnie james
       Date: July 25, 2011, 5:05 pm
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       i been using pine shavings for years and it seems to work for me
       just a thought this might help out ...........donnie james
       #Post#: 8285--------------------------------------------------
       Re: i need advice on breeding
   DIR By: Joe Asaro
       Date: July 25, 2011, 6:35 pm
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       If you use pellets you need to make sure they cannot get wet or
       moist or you will have to pull them out or it can cause all
       kinds of health problems for your birds. :o
       #Post#: 8290--------------------------------------------------
       Re: i need advice on breeding
   DIR By: joeb
       Date: July 25, 2011, 7:00 pm
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       Joe, The oak pellets I use soak up the moisture and dry up in
       24-48 hrs after which I turn them over with a rake.
       Joe B
       #Post#: 8325--------------------------------------------------
       Re: i need advice on breeding
   DIR By: wishiwon2
       Date: July 26, 2011, 6:16 pm
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       We switched gears here somewhere, the original question/thread
       was about nest material, now were talking loft floor dressing.
       
       I have used cat litter alone in the nest bowls with disastrous
       results. The litter sticks to the yolk sac before it is entirely
       absorbed into the abdomen and dries it and the baby out.
       
       Do you use wood pellets in the nest bowls Paul? I tried it once
       but they were too coarse,. I ended up with several dented or
       broken eggs.
       
       I use hardwood pellets on the floor, they work well and make
       clean up easier.
       
       --- Quote from: marvin link ---
       >
       > Oldfart, Paul, and Joeb? so do you take the wood pellets and
       place them al through the coop. im new to this so as of now i
       have an8x8x8 foot coop and i have perches everywhare no boxes i
       have 20 birds. but i did not know that there should be something
       in the cage, whats the reason? where can i get grit and oyster
       shells. what is grit and its purpose.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Marvin the wood pellets are used as a loft floor dressing, which
       aids in keeping the place dry. Dampness contributes greatly to
       sickness in the loft. If you have wire floors, dont worry about
       it.
       
       Oyster shell can be purchased most anywhere that chicken feed is
       available, farm supply stores. Grit can be a little harder to
       find, check pet suppliers if farm stores dont carry it. Grit is
       essential for birds. Since they dont have teeth, the way they
       grind up  or 'chew' their food is in their gizzards (a tough
       muscular capsule). The grain and grit mixes in the gizzard and
       is squeezed around, squishing and breaking apart the grain seeds
       so they can be more efficiently digested. Oyster shell
       additionally contributes supplemental calicum to the diet.
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