WitchHazel Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Morning all Lydia (buff sussex) has spent her nights sleeping in the nest box of the Cube. I know that people put balls in etc to stop the hens doing this, but I just wondered why it's discouraged. I mean, I know it's getting pooey and I need to muck it out each morning, but is that th eonly reason? Thanks for your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Both my two snuggle up together in the nest box every night. When I first got them I did stop them one night by putting an upturned flower pot in there - next morning they climbed off the pot and I felt really guilty!! I cant see a problem with them sleeping there if they prefer it - I put aubiose in the nest area topped with a little straw and just change the straw each day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I mean, I know it's getting pooey and I need to muck it out each morning, but is that th eonly reason? I would say so. There are those who reckon hens should perch.....but the jungle fowl from whom they are descended sleep on the floor, so....... I don't think it's a big deal......the pooey eggs are the downside though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted February 28, 2008 Author Share Posted February 28, 2008 Thanks Laura and Egluntine for your quick reassurance. I'll let them get on with it then, I don't mind a bit of poo picking in the morning (I used to have two horses, so I'm used to it) on a -slightly - larger scale). I thought I was so well prepared! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Only one of mine sleeps in the nest box and thats buffie. Im hoping she will stop once she starts laying. The only problem I have from it (which may not be because of it at all) is that cause the poo cant just fall away between the bars she sits in it and she often has a dirty bottom which I then have to try to clean for her. I dont have this problem with any of the rest of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Hello Ladies , Ah a query i have too. What if we make the other part more cosy, i am still wondering - contemplating if its worth putting something in the nesting box to start with so they learn its not their bed or just leave them to sort it out for themselves . .. ie: wherever they lay their vents - thats their bed ! Or do we give it a go & start them off as they intend to go on or will they start themselves & change their minds frequently anyway ? Hmmmm still haven't found a 'hemcore' supplier close to me, will have to get skates on when we get home. Please could i also be reminded, how many feeders do i need, extra than the ones that come with the cube, ie separate one for grit etc MsTilywatchingtherainfallagainstadrearygreysky Ms Tillythinkinghowmuchtodobeforechickensarrive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Morning Ms T! You can buy a parrot cup from most pet shops for grit. It hooks onto the run. I have 3 girls in one eglu with convertor and have 2 grugs and 2 glugs for them. Depends if you go away a lot? Also how many chickens you will (eventually) have in the cube? I started to discourage mine from sleeping in the nest box by placing a flower pot in it. They moved it! I would rather they didn't sleep in there as it saves me cleaning off pooey eggs, but they seem happy enough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen&Lee Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Hello Mrs T! On the subject of glugs and grubs, I ordered another set to come with mine as we were having 7 chooks - but we have moved on to some flower boxes I got from the garden centre that are contained in a wire bracket that hooks through the mesh.. easy to lift if I decide to take in at night I now have one grub with grit in it, he other with layers pellets (in case they are all fighting to eat at once) and the glugs all filled as normal. Even with this flower box filled with layers I find I top up every other day now they are all laying (probably just a bit over cautious ) On the subject of grit though - I used to just sprinkle it in the run for them to forage around for.. Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Goood Morning Christian & Helen, Hope you're both very healthy & happy. Thank you for help, its all so daunting, i just mustn't be a natural keeper!! Must admit, i would prefer poopless eggs. Yes i did panic & order another G&G couple of weeks back. Pellets, grit, i hope i have all i need from OMLET - why are they called layers pellets & where do i get them from ( er is it as simple as it sounds, ie we take folic acid for pregnancy . .hmmm i see do layers pellets help them to lay??!! ) Please excuse my ignorance !! So glad the OMLET guy will talk us through everything Ms Tilyhopefullylayingallanxietystorest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I wouldnt bother with separate containers for grit and oystershell (you dont mention it, I would get some if I were you), just mix it in with your pellets. When I let my girls out in the morning I hoike out any poop in the nestbox with my trusty washing-up brush so the eggs are fairly clean. Best of luck with everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Yes Tily, Layers pellets are pellets for laying hens ('Layers' is not a brand name as I first thought ) Most horsey type shops will order it in for you or try Pets at home if you have one near you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Pellets, grit, i hope i have all i need from OMLET - why are they called layers pellets & where do i get them from ( er is it as simple as it sounds, ie we take folic acid for pregnancy . .hmmm i see do layers pellets help them to lay??!! ) Please excuse my ignorance !! No worries - we were all newbies once! Layers' pellets are their main food source, made of ground up wheat and dried peas and other good nutritious stuff, compressed into pellets to make it easy to handle. Usually it has calcium added, to help with shell-making - before they are old enough to lay, young pullets are fed on growers' pellets, which are similar but with lower calcium to prevent them from laying eggs too young. At least, that's my understanding of the difference - I don't have my chicken-keeping books to hand... Oh, and the stuff that pellets are made from is also sold loose, as "mash" or meal, and can be fed dry or made into hen porridge You can buy layers pellets from Omlet (but the postage is rather high) - we get ours from our local country store, which also sells mixed corn, mixed grit, and a number of other handy things like poultry spice and red mite powder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 You might be able to get pellets, oystershell and grit from your local petshop. I was quite surprised to find that some do stock chicken supplies but then keeping chickens seems to be the latest pet craze thanks to Jamie Oliver and co. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...