Paul Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 hi All, I have a 3ft wall around my garden and over it is a river. If I let my chickens free range will they jump over the wall? Is it best to clip their wings? Is straw ok for inside the Eglu? Is there a tradename for the best organic feed? Does the feed contain grit or is that an additional thing to give them? Thats all for now. Thanks in advance, Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Firstly welcome aboard and no question you ask is a stupid one - we were all beginners once and if you need to know something then please feel free to ask! hi All, I have a 3ft wall around my garden and over it is a river. If I let my chickens free range will they jump over the wall? Quite possibly as chickens can usually flap to over 3 feet - could you add some trellis to the top of it? Is it best to clip their wings? With that wall of yours i would clip their wings. Remember to only do one side to make them off balance. Is straw ok for inside the Eglu? In the nesting box yes. Quite a lot of us use Hemcore - you can get it from horsey places. Is there a tradename for the best organic feed? Hmmm, i think a lot of companies do organic feed. I get mine from Allen & Paige i think. Does the feed contain grit or is that an additional thing to give them? It is best to add oyster shell grit into their food or place a seperate pot of grit for them to tuck into when they want. Thats all for now. Thanks in advance, Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 OK, here goes Paul. Welcome first though. hi All, I have a 3ft wall around my garden and over it is a river. If I let my chickens free range will they jump over the wall? Undoubtedly, you will need to clip their wings. With the wall being so low, I'd put up some trellis or netting to stop them escaping. Is it best to clip their wings? Definitely! Is straw ok for inside the Eglu? Not really, it tends to get damp on the under layers and mouldy. Most of use use a shredded hemp horse bedding called Aubiose or Hemcore. Is there a tradename for the best organic feed? Omlet sell organic layers pellets, which are made by Allen and Page Does the feed contain grit or is that an additional thing to give them? It does contain grit, but most peopel liek to supplement that with some extra to help with their digestion, and also some calcium for stronger shells Thats all for now. Thanks in advance, Paul You're most welcome, I hope it helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Great minds, Claret great minds!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Here's my perspecitve on your questions! They are certainly not stupid questions either. I have a 3ft wall around my garden and over it is a river. If I let my chickens free range will they jump over the wall? Probably Is it best to clip their wings? Yes Is straw ok for inside the Eglu? I use straw in the nesting box with no problems. I don't put anything else in and I do not put anything in the poo tray. Is there a tradename for the best organic feed? I'd go for Allen and Page or Oraganic Food Company normally, but it doesn't make a difference. Does the feed contain grit or is that an additional thing to give them? Yes it does containg grit and they will naturally find grit in the soil so supplementing them is not 100% necessary but it can be done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 (edited) hi All, I have a 3ft wall around my garden and over it is a river. If I let my chickens free range will they jump over the wall? Almost certainly I would say. They are great escape artistes. Is it best to clip their wings? Mater of opinion....I do clip my girls wings, but there are those who prefer not to as it is thought that it gives them more chance to get away from a predator. Is straw ok for inside the Eglu? No. Straw and hay can cause the hen to get an impacted crop if they eat the long strands. There are those who do use it but I wouldn't risk it personally. Is there a tradename for the best organic feed? The "best" is a matter of personal opinion, and also what is available in your area. Have a look on google. Does the feed contain grit or is that an additional thing to give them? Some fees to contain grit, but most of us provide it separately. The answers to many questions that new forum members might ask can be found in the "Stickies" at the top of each page. Welcome to the forum by the way. Edited February 11, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 hi All, I have a 3ft wall around my garden and over it is a river. If I let my chickens free range will they jump over the wall? DEFINITELY! Well they'll jump on to it and over the other side! Is it best to clip their wings? We didn't bother as it doesn't seem to make much of a difference as ours can't fly very well and just do flapping hops and jumps! Is straw ok for inside the Eglu? Yes, but you only need it in the nestbox Is there a tradename for the best organic feed? Probably, but I don't know as we don't buy organic feed Does the feed contain grit or is that an additional thing to give them? You'll need to give them extra grit, I feed mine mixed grit, so it contains the necessary types for both digestion and calcium for eggs Thats all for now. Thanks in advance, Paul Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 argh i have put straw on the floor of our hen house and in the nesting bit...oh dear!..should i rake it all out and get rid of it asap?... i have also a layer of wood shavings on the floor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 I'd just use it all up Medusa - no point in wasting anything. We've all been through the same voyage of discovery and arrived at the same point - we just found Aubiose/Hemcore much drier, cleaner and easier to use. It also composts like ad ream. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 I won't answer the other questions as everybody else has but ..... I have a 3 foot wall too . This was my solution although I have to say they've shown no interest in getting over the wall - perhaps because it's never been available for them to jump on. I've just moved the netting from the wall to the fence 2 feet behind & they've not even noticed . I used old pieces of trellis which are held in place by canes either side of the wall tied together with cable ties. The netting is old strawberry netting held up with canes. Both have withstood very severe gales . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 I won't bother repeating stuff either, but just thought I'd say welcome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
