debbie26pet Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 the coop a wood one need to save up for a eglu putting name on the 2nds list. has arrived, the run is being adapted didnt like it we been to look at chickens today and we are liking 2 rhode reds, a white silkie and a buff sussex, do i just put all into the run and take from there? or has been mentioned to putting in coop for 48hrs together not in run? any tips we know the buff has stated to lay the other are rhode reds, 1 is getting her little red face, the other not yet is about 13 ish weeks, how long till they lay? the little silki isnt there yet she is about 16 weeks how old will she start? hoping to get tomorrow if run all done. any tips on settling in ? the veg u feed them does it need to be cooked like the spud peelings? we have got the mite powder and straw and grower pellet, saw dust, what do i put on floor outside they have about 2 rows of flags then grass do i need anythin on it? anything else u can think of? for got to say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 When I got my 4 Omlet hybrids the advice was to keep them in the eglu and run for the first 5 days so they get to know their run and new home. I'm not familiar with the breeds you mention. Perhaps the breeder they are coming from can give you advice on if they all go in together. Veg can be raw (but not potato skins - cook them). But mine do eat leftover cooked veg as well. But don't feed too many treats before they start laying. Small amount of mixed corn is good as a treat and a bag will last ages and ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted February 9, 2008 Author Share Posted February 9, 2008 hi thanks how often to give trats once a day at nigh or couple times a week etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bantam of the Opera Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 i give mine treats everyday, and they seem to love it. theyll eat anything. also, avacado is poisoness to chickens. i think tahts the only no no when giving chickens treats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 dont give them any citrus fruits either. Mine gets treats in the late afternoon about an hour before their bedtime, that gives them all day to eat their mash! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted February 9, 2008 Author Share Posted February 9, 2008 what about beans in bake beans ive heard not good for them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 I give mine baked beans occasionally but rinse them well first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 Hi there, how exciting"! Might have read it wrong but i would advise putting them all in together at the same time, they'll all be in the same boat so should make pecking order stuff (which I hate) much easier. treats, we tend to give them their basic food in the morning (pellets and / or mash) then inthe afternoon they get a bit of corn, or some left over pasta or veggies, or sweetcorn, or if they've been really good some mealworms. Or if I'm not looking the kids will give them all of the above! Your only look out really is that fat hens don't lay (which is mine are on strike I suspect, back to rations for our girls ) and that if they eat too many treats they won't eat their pellets which are really the important part of their diet. We kept ours in the run for about a week before letting them out to trash the garden, sorry, free range, that way they knew their way home. Then sit back (make sure it's a comfy chair, you'll spend a fair amount of time there!) and wait for the eggs! Enjoy Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted February 9, 2008 Author Share Posted February 9, 2008 we got grower pellets is this right? do i need to get the apple cider vinger for water? do i start giving grit now? Poultry Spice do they need? and the garlic powder is it the one i get for our use from super market? do i need these before they come? hat about the dust bath? oh immmmmmm so excited Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozkate Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 Now Debbie, Chill. Who would imagine that you could get that keen! Seriously, I guess that (with the exeption of those brought up with chooks) we've all been at the very point you are at now. Mine was Sept 07 (seems like a millenium). They'll arrive, you'll pamper, you'll ask more, you'll understand. Then you'll post this post feeling a mix of being very patronising and pride that you've done it! You keep hens and you know that they're happy! Enjoy! Loz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 we got grower pellets is this right?do i need to get the apple cider vinger for water? do i start giving grit now? Poultry Spice do they need? and the garlic powder is it the one i get for our use from super market? do i need these before they come? hat about the dust bath? oh immmmmmm so excited can't remember how old yours are but once they become growed up hens they'll need layers pellets not growers - someone else will come along to tell you what age that is (all ours were POL) A lot of the other stuff is personal choice, I don't put anything in the water, i give them grit mixed in with their corn in the afternoon but ours free range a lot so get most of their grit from the garden Mine turned their beaks up at poultry spice and garlic powder whic I was quite glad of as it STINKS! they will make their own dustbaths if there's room., or will find a spot in your flower beds, somewhere you used to have flowers but now grow chickens instead! It is VERY exciting, you could spend an absolute fortune on stuff for your hens but you must RESIST! Honestly they need less than you think, they will be fine and within a very short period of time they will be under your feet every time you step out of the back door, you'll be tripping over them on your way down the garden and find yourself adding an extra handful of pasta to dinner just so's there's some left over for them in the morning! Mrs Bertie You realise of course that we all require photos! Now what colour cube are you getting, orange is very Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 You need layers pellets, not growers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Point-of-lay is about 20 weeks, I think. Since your girls are mostly younger than this, growers pellets should be OK for now, but I would buy layers pellets and start feeding those in about a month's time (when most of them are POL age). You probably don't want the very young one eating layers pellets just yet, as they are usually higher in calcium and might affect her growth. If you can sneak the older one(s) some high-protein food (e.g. tuna - the sort tinned in springwater rather than brine or oil) with a bit of poultry spice for added calcium, that should help with the laying without affecting the younger ones. Of course chicken are individuals and don't always start laying at 20 weeks (any more than human girls all start getting their periods at the same age), so don't worry if they take longer. My bantam Angelica didn't start until she was 9 months old, and some folk here have waited even longer than that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 The little 13 weeker will be OK on growers pellets for another month or so. The POLs should be on Layers pellets. Growers Pellets are only suitable for chickens from 6 weeks to 17/8 weeks. Layers pellets contain the optimum nutrition for pullets beyond that age and they definitely do need the calcium, otherwise they will get into all sorts of difficulties re laying, and start leeching calcium out of their bones which will could cause problems with fractures. Protein will not replace the calcium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Protein will not replace the calcium. That's why I updated my post to mention poultry spice, which is 24% calcium The other option of course is to feed the two groups separately, but that might not be possible... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 :lol:Unless you add lashings of Poultry Spice it will not make a significant enough difference. for the POLs , and will be too much for the tinies, and will probably render it inedible. Feeding them separately will be difficult to manage for a novice too, and expensive in terms of buying extra kit etc My recommendation would be that Debbie should get some layers pellets and mix them with the 50/50 growers pellets so that there is a reasonable compromise, and gradually over the next month or so, increase the layers pellets and decrease the growers. Not perfect.but.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Sounds like the best plan! And a good warning as to why it's generally better to get them all at 17-18 weeks+, especially when you're a beginner. Getting your first chickens is nerve-wracking enough, without worrying about who's eating what! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
