Chickens NEED aged bacteria from OLD hay with manure/ (cow/horse/chicken/pig) or old garden/leaves/compost that has been AGED and mixed with dirt/mulch in the new coops that you are making NOT (let me repeat this) N-O-T fresh clean hay or pine shavings.
Why?
Would you buy new pet fish, from a pet store, that has been swimming in established aged water balanced with bacteria and take them home and put the new fish that you purchased into FRESH pure water like purified or distilled water?
Not a good idea because the fish would die from the sterile water. All animals need a proper place to live. Fish need OLD water with an established ecosystem AND SO DO CHICKENS!!!!! If you move chickens from a coop with established aged balanced compost into a new coop with sterile bedding this can shock the hens' system.
Blue Star offers pullets and hens for sale that are in the prime of health. If your coop is brand new and you put healthy chickens into a "sterile" coop there is a possibility that your chicken's immunity from diseases may be reduced. Our chickens are used to the balance of aged and old farm compost in the coops and runs. Our poultry is of sound and healthy stock due to the healthy living conditions that our chickens are exposed to each and every day.
You can make your own starter compost for your coop or chicken pen. Or we sell bags of aged non-GMO compost here at Blue Star Ranch. Simply pour aged dry compost into your coop add warm water and cover it with fresh grass to begin building a healthy bacterial growth for your coop. Your chickens will be healthier.
Along with a safe and predator-proof coop, a healthy diet of bugs, grasses and grains, fresh water, and occasional worming too, your chickens need bacteria to grow and prosper.
All chickens need a balance of aged bacteria inside of the bedding for a healthy coop.