| Subject: Re: Bedding vs. Wire |
Author:
Tom Roebuck
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 11:08:56 01/03/08 Thu
In reply to:
Bryant
's message, "Bedding vs. Wire" on 09:50:24 01/03/08 Thu
Bryant -
I use both wire bottomed cages and pine shavings for my Bantam Cochins and shavings only for the large birds. Currently I keep a good portion of my bantam males on 1X1 PVC coated wire. The PVC coating is much easier on their feet and thick enough to provide a good surface for them to stand on. The 1X1 size if sufficient to let their manure fall through to the drop boards for easy cleaning. I will only speak for my experiences, but I have had no issues of feather breakage using the wire bottomed cages. White birds can still become stained if they do not have a good firm stool. My cages are 20" X 20" for the males. The cages I use that are wire bottomed are also wire all around, but I use 1X2 wire for the sides, dividers, tops and doors. The coated wire is actually lobster trap wire, which is very sturdy and comes in rolls from 50 - 100 feet or more probably. I purchased a 2'wide X 100 foot roll, knowing that I would only use it for the floors.
As for the shavings, I used pine shavings, that are fairly small, at a depth of 2- 3 inches. When I am getting birds ready for show, I will keep them on at least 3 inches of newly changed shavings after they are washed and dried. Keeping them dry is key of course, and frequency of change is a personal preference, as well as money and time dependent. The one drawback to shavings for me is that inevitably they become very dusty. Between the manure and wasted feed the dust can build up pretty quickly so that remains a constant battle. I have started fogging my pens with Oxine so we'll see if that has any affect. I prefer the smaller chipped shavings over the larger fluffy shavings, as they seem to be more absorbent. More surface area most likley.
All of my females are kept on shavings. Mostly because they can be penned in groups and don't require single cage accomodations. I also use shavings in my 2X2 and 2x3 breeding pens, but I also AI the Cochins. One thing I think is interesting and I plan for when getting the birds ready for show is that the first thing the ones that have been kept on wire want to do is take a dust bath when put into a coop with shavings, so I let them get that out of their system before I wash them. I also find it easier to stay on top of bugs using the wire bottomed cages as well.
All of my large Cochins are kept on shavings. They aren't much for scratching so I carry around a three pronged hand cultivator and stir up the bedding about every other day as I feed them. This makes the shavings last a bit longer and prevents a build-up of manure. I don't think it would be practical to try and build wire bottomed cages for those big buggers, with the males at 12 - 15 pounds the wire would have to be heavier guage than what I am using. Something in the 10 guage range (kennel flooring), would be needed. I am using a 12.5 guage wire now for the bantams. I might try it one of these days just to see.
I'll be interested to hear what others have experienced and what techniques they are using that we may not have heard about.
Good topic!
Tom
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
