Grass is the best surface to keep chickens on, however there are alternatives. If you have patio or concrete area, you could provide them with a layer of bark chippings or straw to rummage about in. Find out how to do this here. See similar questions...

Chickens which are fed a complete diet such as Purina Start & Grow, Layena or Meat Builder do not need grit for digestion. If chickens are being fed whole grains such as Purina Scratch Grains or if they are outside on the range, then grit should be fed to aid in grinding up feed in their crop. In this situation, grit should be fed 1 pound per 100 chickens twice per week. It can be fed free choice or mixed with the regular feed. See similar questions...

They will eat just about anything! There are commercial poultry foods available at local feed stores, or you can make your own mix. People feed chickens corn, oats, wheat, rye, soy, fresh greens from the garden (weeds as well), table scraps (they love spaghetti!), worms and other bugs. The local grocery stores and markets often have vegetable scraps available. Variety is the key to good health, just like us! See similar questions...

Day length stimulates egg production in birds. Chickens need a minimum of 14-hours of light (natural and artificial) per day for maximum egg production. The daily photoperiod should never be decreased for layers or a molt may start. Ref. D. Housing and Equipment. "Lighting for Increased Egg Production." This condition is called "neck molt". It is caused by an unusual stress on the hens, such as feed or water deprivation, disease, or sudden changes in temperature. See similar questions...

That means there is a very small (.005%) chance that you will get it. If you are an average consumer, you might encounter a contaminated See similar questions...

Measure the length and width of the area you are sodding and multiply them together. Measure in feet and that will give you the total square footage you will need. See similar questions...

No, but mowing will increase the evaporation process of the wastewater, helping with the filtration process of the nitrogen present. See similar questions...

That will depend on the caretaker. Just like any other pet or animal, they need care--cleaning out the dirty bedding in the coop, keeping it dry and having a clean/dry area of sand or dirt for the birds to take dust bathes in. These practices will all help to keep your birds happy, healthy and odor free. See similar questions...

The key to safe chickens is a sturdy, impenetrable coop. Raccoons should be more of a concern, they are such clever, determined critters. .Make sure the structure is secure (enclosed top, fencing buried below ground under the sides, secure latches on doors or other entryways), keep all birds locked in at night, letting them out into the run or "tractor" only during the day. See similar questions...

Avoid touching poultry and bird droppings. If you do touch poultry or bird droppings, wash your hands right away with soap and water. If you have chickens or poultry in your back yard and you think they are sick, call the California Department of Food and Agriculture Avian Health Group at 1-800-491-1899. See similar questions...

Most will say that a Hen House should home one bird per square foot. So if a house is 4feet x 3feet, this would hold 12 hens. You can get quite addicted to chickens, so assume you may get more. More info, Click here See similar questions...

noted above, compost will happen without a lot of effort. Ideally, you should make sure that you have a combination of materials in your compost pile. Leaves will help absorb extra moisture in your pile and add carbon. Grass will add nitrogen. Both can be used effectively to cover food waste and reduce flying insects. See similar questions...

Its up to you. Sometimes grass will actually clean the bottom of the bounce house. If the grass is really nice it's not as necessary. Though if you are training employee's you should get them in the habit of ALWAYS using a tarp. Because when it comes down to it, they won't care about your bouncers as much as you do. Eventually they may get lazy and not use the tarp which could result in damage. See similar questions...

No. Mowing frequency varies by the season. In the spring, established lawns should be mown as soon as the grass greens and begins to grow. In the summer, close mowing (especially during hot weather) can weaken some grass varieties. As autumn approaches, cool-season grasses begin to grow faster and produce more clippings. Conversely, warm-season grasses begin to slow down. Adjust your mowing habits accordingly. See similar questions...

You can, but it tastes awful and you put less grass in so you get less benefit. It also will break your blender unless you cut it up very small first. If you want to you can chew the grass to get the juice out but don't swallow the fibre because you only have one stomach and it can't digest grass fibre. Some people claim that wheatgrass juice could support life, but not the fiber. When the Irish ate grass during the potato famine, they died. See similar questions...

If you do not currently bag your grass clippings, it is not necessary to do so. The city discourages the bagging of grass clippings and encourages our residents to mulch their grass clippings whenever possible and practical. See similar questions...

Cows and sheep are ruminants and should get mostly grass. But chickens and turkeys have to get grain or they won't grow right or lay enough eggs. We wish farmers wouldn't give soy because the isoflavones do end up in the egg yolks and the fat. Unfortunately, most farmers doing pasture feeding are giving soy to their chickens. Click here to become a member of the Foundation and receive our quarterly journal, full of informative articles as well as sources of healthy food. See similar questions...

When buying and handling live chickens, try not to touch them or their droppings. Do not blow at their bottoms. Egg shells may have been contaminated with bird faeces. Wash the outside of eggs and wipe them dry before putting into the refrigerator for storage. Observe food hygiene when cooking chickens and eggs. Always wash your hands thoroughly with liquid soap and water after handling chickens and eggs. See similar questions...

It is food that attracts rodents, not the birds. If you have wild bird feeders in your back yard, you run the same risk. Keep all feed in metal garbage cans, with secure lids. Feed birds in small doses, so as not to have a large amount of food left over. If you feed your birds scraps/ protein, make sure it is eaten and not left in the bedding. See similar questions...