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Hi Sparkysmum. Not been on here either for a few years, got a notification today from Hippy Chick so popped in. Seems a lot quieter on here now. I still keep in touch with a few of the old crew, sadly Plum and Docsquid passed on to pastures green and blue sky forever. But - I have Aigle wellies, mainly because of the buckle to increase calf width. They do one version that is insulated for cold weather - and they are snug and cosy. But the normal ones I felt were just as good with thicker socks. A bit pricey though. HRH just invested in a pair called Muckmaster from Mole Valley Farmers - he constantly goes on about how they are the best wellies ever - comfy and warm! His were £109. We've tested a few and ended up with corns, but these two have the thumbs up for comfort from us. Merry Christmas!

I lost Agatha today, my 9 year old Speckled Sussex. That just leaves me with 7 chickens and I will not be getting any more sadly. 2293 - 1 New total = 2292

Agatha 1st April 2015 to 19th December 2024 Agatha, my Speckled Sussex has passed peacefully at the age of 9 years. She was the flock leader and a great character. She was one of my original hens. Photo is from her first day with us.

It didn’t extend even 1 mm beyond the end of her beak 😟 Or maybe I put it on wrong?

They scoop the pellets up with their tongue, so the beak not closing completely isn't a problem. What is a problem is if the bit extends too far in front because it stops them getting into the feed properly and puts a lot of strain on the nasal vents causing unnecessary damage. You are aiming for just a few millimetres (1-3), not more. We've found little use for the 30mm bits as they are usually too long. We have used a lot of 25mm though. The idea is to leave it in for a few weeks and see if it breaks the pecking habit. We have found that it can take a lot longer than that and in one case the bit was permanent.

Update - I tried fitting a 30mm bumper bit but her beak couldn’t close so how on earth can they eat? I don’t understand . So my white girlie is still in the conservatory as I don’t know what to do now. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Or maybe my bluebelle has a long beak?

Hi all! selling my Omlet Outdoor Cat Run - Catio - 3 x 3 x 2 I am located in the Republic of Ireland so collection only form Co. Cork. I purchased this in Feb 2023 and as I am moving into an apartment I no longer have room for it. Comes with all pegs needed for extra security. Looking for €450 I originally paid €1,033.04 for it.

I don't think the anti-peck spray would work anyway? If she has been isolated they may well attack her as an intruder, with or without spray on her? The head isn't sprayed because of the danger of it getting into her eyes, but why it isn't sprayed on the feathers I don't know because where do you spray it then? We've never had much success with anti-pecking sprays. We found that the victim needs to have it re-applied daily or it doesn't work and then the poor girl can't preen herself because of the terrible taste. I suggest you look at beak bits for the others, particularly the one who attacked her. If you don't know who that is you will have to introduce her and watch carefully, being ready to take her out again immediately. How much space have they got, because too little will quickly lead to aggressive behaviour?

Hi - long time since I’ve posted here! I have a problem - a few days ago I found my White Sussex girlie covered in blood and wounds on her comb so I brought her in and kept her away from the others until she’d healed up. I need to put her back out with the others but the problem is that the anti pecking spray says do not spray on feathers or head 🤔How can I then stop the other chicken from pecking at her?

Hello! Being chickenless I haven't posted for a long time but Omlet was always my first port of call so I thought I would pop back on my perch! I have cold feet, freezing cold feet and I am desperate to find boots which keep me warm. I have Dublin Arctic but they are worn out but they did the job. I would prefer ankle/calf length just for a change. I have Uggs, but they're no use other than pottering around or a night out. So, I need fairly rugged, dog walking/ out walking / working in the garden, quality, waterproof but above all warm. So dear Omleteers, please tell me what works for you x

The end of an era Laura!

Hi Laura, My hubby and I are looking to start or chicken keeping adventure and I'm interested in your green Eglu. Can you let me know some more information about it, please? Thanks Lisa

Do you still need glugs

I have a red classic mark 1 and a green classic mark 2 for sale. Both in good condition. I'm in Nottingham. Open to sensible offers for either 1 or for both.

It's not an easy decision, we got chickens from Omlet and an Eglu in 2008. We were down to one, and rehomed her just before we moved to Scotland from Kent in 2021. We were moving in with family and didn't know how long it would take to find our own home, it was 18 months as we ended up doing a self build. It was strange not having them at first, but we've been so busy that we've got used to it now. My Eglu is currently on loan to my daughter's friend, but my daughter now wants to get chooks so who knows?

We starting keeping chicken in 2005 and our first 2, henno and nugget where from omlet along with their home a mark 1 eglu. Fast forward to now with 2 eglus and over the years numerous characters we have now decided not to have any more chooks. It will be a bit odd not seeing them in the garden or shutting them in at night and they have bought much joy and laughter with their little ways. Our final chook is going to live out her old age with some new friends tomorrow. So it is the right decision and right time to say a final farewell to our last feathered friend.

Hi, for some reason I've had to re register even though I've had chooks and bought my eglu not long after omletbstarted. I've also niw been told my email is being used by someone else after reregistering Is this normal??

Hi, sorry for the late reply. She started to make a cockeral like sound mainly in the mornings so appeared to be calling out for a reply maybe. She didn't seem to be getting quieter after a few weeks. Allthough she was eating and drinking I felt she would be better in a new home with friends and managed to find a good home locally with someone who worked at our local vets.

Debbie where are you located? It's looking like we might lose one leaving the last one alone. I'm thinking we could maybe adopt one that's in the same situation.

She is about 12-15weeks old. So now clue of thats fully grown. We will see how she goes i guess, shes moving around fine on it, just didn't want her to be in pain

All I can suggest is keep her off hard and very uneven surfaces, like gravel. Can't say if it will become worse, perhaps it will just stay as it is because her feet should be fully grown by now? On the subject of surgery. Even if it was possible to separate the toes, they would still be bent and it may be that them being joined gives her more stability? We had a nasty accident a while back and one of our chickens had a main toe sliced off. She managed fine with two (inner and centre) and could actually stand on that foot and scratch herself with the other. Yes they do have 4 normally (or 5 in the case of our young cockerel who had his 5th splinted because it was dislocated when he arrived), but they only stand on 3. Hope all works out well.

A This is why i posted this on forum tbh, because yes loads of people post ***** on the internet. She is ok now, but will it get worse? Is there anything we can do to make it better, easier for her? Regards James

Even with all our experience we wouldn't be cutting the toes apart!!! Chances are you would hit a vessel and wouldn't be able to stop the bleeding. Even if you were lucky (or she was lucky) chances are the cut wouldn't heal properly and infection sets in. Just goes to show how much rubbish is on the internet. A vet may be able to do 'hot knife' surgery, but why bother if she is otherwise OK?

Cheers for the reply. I've been doing some more searching on the internet and some people have cut the webbed bit and released both toes. Is that a thing and is it that? We are new to chickens so dont want to do/dont do something we should. Kind regard James

Curled toes are cause by a vitamin B deficiency resulting from a poor diet of the parent. You could buy pellets formulated to the needs of breeding stock when I lived in the UK. They can be corrected by splinting when a young chick (delicate and tricky job), but in your case she is far too old for that. Fortunately she is not restricted by it, so just leave her to carry on as normal. Worth keeping a watch on her to make sure she doesn't damage her claws or scales which could lead to an infection in the foot.