Martin B Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 As my eglu is to arrive soon, I need to know all the extra things to get. I need to know the names of substances etc I can purchase for my chooks. I would really appreciate knowing where I can buy things, and website links would be appreciated. I know many of you use Poultry Grit, does anybody know what it is/ where I can get some from? Kind Regards Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleHen Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 Re Poultry grit - I do know my sack is far too big and will probably last me a life time - never mind my hens There are some links in the chickens section I think with where to buy all this stuff from - someone with better skills will be along soon to point you in the right direction... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted April 20, 2006 Author Share Posted April 20, 2006 Ok, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 Exciting, isn't it! Yes, have a peek through the chicken stickies etc. Lots of interesting reading there, you'll be well prepared. Some things are extras that you might add as you go along. If you're receiving the first sack of pellet feed from Omlet with the chooks (are you?) then the grit is about the only thing I wouldn't be without for too long. You need poultry grit; it has oystershell in, providing calcium as well as the digestive aid. You can use crushed eggshells too, which i did at first & still do. You can pick up a small bag in some pet shops (but mine only had powder for budgies). The best place is somewhere that sells horse feed plus poultry feed, more of an animal feed supplier in the countryside perhaps. Have a look in yellow pages & maybe phone to ask. There, you can buy a bag cheaply, or, as Purplehen says, a sack for life for not much more money! My nearest ones stock many other sundries, such as garlic powder, etc, so you could get anything else you were short of when the next bag of food is needed. Best wishes with your preparations, Martin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted April 20, 2006 Author Share Posted April 20, 2006 Thanks Sheila, I think I'm getting some feed from Omlet, will have to check with James. I'm phoning them tomorrow. ---Martin--- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Managing Director Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 get them a log for their run Martin, they love having something to sit on and burrow down behind so when do they arrive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted April 20, 2006 Author Share Posted April 20, 2006 Not sure, got to phone them tomorrow. I have had 3 delivery dates deemed unavailable so I will try again tomorrow! Fingers Crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 Can I add that your local pet shop might be able to order feed and grit etc if you ask them. Ordering from Omlet is also an option. Shop is always full of irresistable goodies that will empty your wallet quicker than you can say Chickens! The log is a good idea too. Ours have an afternoon kip on theirs inside the run If you keep your eyes open for any farmers markets, they tend to sell things like poultry grit or oyster shells. I leave a peanut feeder full of grit and they girls take as much as they need. It will last you nearly forever too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 If you're receiving the first sack of pellet feed from Omlet with the chooks (are you?) then the grit is about the only thing I wouldn't be without for too long. Mine freerange on the lawn, but we don't supplement anything except crushed eggshell (baked in oven first) and the occasional bit of poultry spice for a moult. Should we?! They seem extremely healthy without, am I wrong? Martin, you may want straw or something else like paper to line the nesting box. Omlet suggests marmite for B vitamins (on toast I think) and/or probiotic yoghurt mixed with food to help them get over the runs from the stress of moving. None of my chickens will eat either though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted April 20, 2006 Author Share Posted April 20, 2006 Thanks for that Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 Martin - don't forget 'All Things Rural' at the top of Redhill on the Alcester Road - they do Organic pellets there. Also, Countrywide at Bearley, just out of Stratford, on the Birmingham Road - they sell pellets, mash and grit/oyster shell as well as lots of other bits and pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted April 20, 2006 Author Share Posted April 20, 2006 Where are these places, I've never heard of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 chocchick, i don't supplement my girls diet with grit or shell. they have mash and pellets ('cos one wont eat mash, and two wont eat pellets!), peck round the run and their enclosure and get kitchen greens trimmings. Thats pretty much it, with a small handfull of corn to get them back in the run when I want to shut them in. No grit, no shell and they seem to be fine. Between 4 - 7 eggs each a week. I always thought that the mash and pellets gives it all anyway. Had two of them for 16 months now with no ill effects, works for me, QED. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 There's nothing wrong with not having extra grit if your chooks get enough and are healthy! Apologies if I'm not making sense today. I was only saying from experience. They need grit for digestion, but often find enough naturally, I just like to be sure! Also, some chooks (not all) experience some shell-less eggs, esp early on. If you post here, the first suggestion on top of baked shells, is oystershell, I just like to have it available. Other things can wait until you see if you need anything. We all do things slightly differently, and you soon learn what your own chooks need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted April 20, 2006 Author Share Posted April 20, 2006 Thanks for that advice Sheila. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 Won't be long before you're telling us about your new chickens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 Where are these places, I've never heard of them. Martin! - I did tell you about them last time you were here! Your head must have been full of chickens I've replied to your PM's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motherhen Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 Helen - good point about the layers mash/pellets having enough calcium in them. Your's sound as if they are on a very healthy diet Lots of us are a bit naughty (encouraged by greedy hens of course) and feed treats that are the hen equivalent of junk food - so we need to give the poor darlings extra calcium Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted April 21, 2006 Author Share Posted April 21, 2006 They can have the occasional grape. Lesley I'll check my pms in a minute. Thankyou, I can rememeber you saying about the one because it sells 25kg of feed really cheaply. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 I'm sounding holier than thou, but I'm not really. My girls get the greens timmings, a small handfull of corn and the occasional treat, a whole sweetcorn, a few grapes etc. But they are occasional treats (like the kids with sweets) and not regular things. as the labrador has a delicate digestion, the dogs get NOTHING extra (apart from the disgusting things they find in the hedgerows and down at the farm - cow poo - whats that about! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted April 21, 2006 Author Share Posted April 21, 2006 Cow poo how yum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 My Mum's dogs are a bit partial to cow poo too. We treat our chooks the same as you Helen. They've cottoned on now and don't automatically come running like mad things if they can't see anything in my hand. Clever chooks eh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted April 21, 2006 Author Share Posted April 21, 2006 I won't give them many unless they lay a really big egg! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamsin Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 Occasionally you may need lice/mite powder,I also use it to prevent them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted April 21, 2006 Author Share Posted April 21, 2006 Ok thanks Tamsin, I liked your feature in eglu owner of the week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
