Chillicat Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 I'm on day two with our five ladies and I have questions.........already Would be glad for some advice on the following: 1. Should I put straw or shredded newspaper into the nest box now, or wait for a couple of weeks? (was told by the lady at Omlet that I wouldn't need to get straw for a few weeks yet as the earliest they are likely to lay is 3 weeks) 2. Should I be putting grit in with the pellets (everyday or weekly?), or scattering on the floor once a week? And how much? 3. After day two, I'm sure that Epsibarb's wattles look pinker than yesterday even though they are quite small - is that possible? 4. I'm concerned that they spend an awful lot of time pecking furiously at the Superglug nipples - is this because they are getting used to it or aren't they getting enough water? Could also be a source of amusement, but I excluded that theory due to the expectation they would be disorientated with their new home! Anyones advice will be very much appreciated. Thanks, Cathie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 I'm on day two with our five ladies and I have questions.........already Would be glad for some advice on the following: 1. Should I put straw or shredded newspaper into the nest box now, or wait for a couple of weeks? (was told by the lady at Omlet that I wouldn't need to get straw for a few weeks yet as the earliest they are likely to lay is 3 weeks) Personally I wouldn't use straw...it gets manky and pooey. I would use **Aubiose** I put it in from the start....in the hope that they would lay straight away....and I thought ot looked more comfy 2. Should I be putting grit in with the pellets (everyday or weekly?), or scattering on the floor once a week? And how much? You can put it in with their pellets. it is better to put a separate pot so that they can help themselves. The seem to know when to stock up on it. 3. After day two, I'm sure that Epsibarb's wattles look pinker than yesterday even though they are quite small - is that possible? Yes! 4. I'm concerned that they spend an awful lot of time pecking furiously at the Superglug nipples - is this because they are getting used to it or aren't they getting enough water? Could also be a source of amusement, but I excluded that theory due to the expectation they would be disorientated with their new home! Have you checked that water is coming through? They do drink a surprising amount of water. Anyones advice will be very much appreciated. Thanks, Cathie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chillicat Posted March 6, 2008 Author Share Posted March 6, 2008 Thanks Aubiose it is then - will try and get some tomorrow ......just in case Epsibarbs' comb goes red on day 3! and she's nearly ready to lay !! Do you put newspaper under it too? Will get separate bowl for grit tomorrow morning - thats a great idea, then I'll know when to top up! Superglug - water is coming out fine and you're right, they do drink a lot Hope they are warm enough in there tonight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 Hi Chillicat I put mostly shredded paper (as it's free!) and a bit of hemcore in the nestbox. A couple of sheets of newspaper with shredded paper on top in the poo tray. I use one of * these * for the grit/oystershell. That way it's easy to see when it needs topping up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chillicat Posted March 6, 2008 Author Share Posted March 6, 2008 Like the idea for the grit vessel v much......have been racking my brains what we could use! Clips to the cage too, perfect. . Now I've seen hemcore and auboise mentioned and I might just try both and see which one suits. I like the idea of being able to pick out clumps from the nest box. Going to the local pet supplies tomorrow to see what I can pick up. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 Just noticed I posted the wrong link . *This one* lets you buy just one pot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane 20 Posted March 6, 2008 Share Posted March 6, 2008 They look godd - I'll be getting one of those - hope they fit on mesh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 If you mean the eglu run mesh, yes they do . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Now I've seen hemcore and auboise .....Going to the local pet supplies tomorrow to see what I can pick up. Not sure if pet shops sell it. It is horse bedding. I get my Auboise from a horse supply shop (or Tack Shop). Look in your Yellow pages for one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Chillicat, you could also look at *this list* to see if there's someone near you. If you bought a few bales at a time (if you have a decent sized car ), it would be worth a longer trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chillicat Posted March 7, 2008 Author Share Posted March 7, 2008 Thank you all. Rushed out this morning to get a grit holder, until the mail order one arrives. Sourced Aubiose at Eileen Douglas Tack Shop in Wokingham, its £8.75 a bale so will go and get that in the morning! The rain this morning! Chooks spent ages drinking the droplets of rain from the mesh on the run. Now the sun is out, three of them have made dustbaths and having a wail of a time! Egluntine - I'm putting the Aubiose in the nest box tomorrow morning, so here's hoping eggs are gonna come quicker! Another question - can they eat millet? Like the hanging stuff for caged birds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totty Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Hi Chillicat, Apparantly the tack shop in Eversley, near Wokingham/Yateley also sell Auboise and is around £6 a bale. It's in between the two pubs by the cricket green. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Thank you all.Rushed out this morning to get a grit holder, until the mail order one arrives. Sourced Aubiose at Eileen Douglas Tack Shop in Wokingham, its £8.75 a bale so will go and get that in the morning! Hi Chillicat Not sure where in Surrey you are, but Graham at Paws and Claws (based in Old WIndsor) deliver to Surrey/Middx(for example Egham, Staines, Chertsey, Addlestone) etc. I had a bale delivered today, £7.95. He can also supplu chicken pellets, mixed corn etc. http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7533&highlight=aubiose+wokingham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Intially we didn't but anything in the nestbox but I use a mixture of hemcore and shredded paper now as it is easier to clean out. The empty nestbox was a real mess every morning. We got our hemcore from Eileen Douglas in Wokingham but since then I've read on one of these threads that there is a tack shop in Eversley (near the two pubs) that is cheaper, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckov Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 We started off with shredded paper as the Omlet man that delivered our chucks said it was the most environmentally friendly option; you recycle your paper and then it can go in the compost! He also said to put it in from day 1 so that they got used to it quicker. However, we found that if you use it on its own it seems to get scattered all round the garden, attaches itself to the girl's feet and is generally a pain. So we bought some Easibed instead, which was about £6 or so and is very small woodchips. Much easier to clean away , it's heavier so it doesn't blow about and we also scatter a thin layer in the droppings tray so that it all slides out easily! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 If you do decide to use shredded paper tear the paper smaller ( say A4 into quarters) before you shred it. Then it doesn't get tangled around chickeny legs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Or use a cross-shredder which makes it perfect for nesting botties! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...