4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[megg]

Hi everyone!

 

I'm a newbie and have been reading the forum for ages, its most addictive! Our eglu cube has been delivered and we're just waiting to pick up our Orpington girls in the next week or so

 

I've read all the suggestions about what a newbie needs and have a shed full of aubiose, bokashi bran, garlic powder, red mite powder, worming stuff, grit, limestone flour, ACV etc etc (!!) but our girls will only be 9 weeks old when they arrive and I know Omlet girls are much older.

So I'm hoping someone can tell me at what age do I start giving them the extra things in their food/water? Also can they have treats/corn when they are young or is a diet of growers pellets only recommended?

 

Also (sorry for all the questions!) I'm quessing that they wont be able to manage the cube ladder to start with. If we make a solid ramp up to the cube will the girls be able to use that or are we better to remove the base and place the cube on the floor?

 

Any tips that anyone has would be greatly appreciated!

[beach chick]

I got my youngest at 8 weeks old, and the breeder told me to feed growers pellets and some corn for variety.

since then, they've moved on - still on growers, but also get pasta, rice, tomatoes, grapes etc as and when I have them or feel kind.

lots of people on here say to keep feeding growers til they are laying, although when I got my POL birds last year they went straight onto layers pellets and were absolutely fine.

good luck!

[ajm200]

Your hens will need food, water, somewhere to sleep and lay eggs.

 

Your cube, some growers food (pellets or mash as the breeder suggests) and some water will be all you'll need to start off. They don't show much interest in treats until they are laying and shouldn't have too many anyway as their food has everything they need. Don't buy too much food in one go as young chickens don't eat very much until they are ready to start laying.

 

There is great Omlet shopping list that newbies feel obliged to buy, but it isn't necessary.

 

You on the other hand will need stuff to keep you warm/cool and comfy in the garden as they are addictive and you'll find yourself outside at every opportunity.

[ajm200]

Several people have made ramps to help young chickens and ex-bats get up the ladder.

[moomin]

I wouldn't give any treats to begin with so that they get all the goodness they need from the growers pellets. Mine were about that age when I got them and they didn't show any interest at all in treats until they were a bit older. Even then you should maybe limit them, a grape each (not too many as they make them do splatty poos ), or a bit of chopped lettuce.

 

My 2 are about 20 weeks now and they still don't eat very much as they're not laying yet.

[ruth1]

My Orp was eight weeks when i got her, like you i wondered about lowering the cube but was advised just to lift her in and out. I did she was fine and now after 3 weeks shes going in and out herself.

I didnt get to fussed when they started sleeping in the nestbox either and now she prefers the bars, snuggled up to her best mate whos the oldest.

[megg]

As always it seems I've gone a bit OTT in my preparations

 

Thanks to every one for your replies

[Valkyrie]

I am about to get my Orpies tomorrow, but they are a lot older than your ones. The advice I got was to feed growers pellets until the bag ran out and then go on to layers (gradually introducing the layers with the growers). The youngest one will be 11/12 weeks old, so I assume that the feed will last quite a few weeks. As Orpies are slow to mature, they mustn't be rushed into the laying side of things too quickly - apparently it can cause prolapse if any hens are, so I don't want the yucky things to happen too soon - icky poo will be enough at the moment!

With regard to the steps, we will see if they can manage and if not, we have a small wildlife log pile that will be whipped away for a leg up.

DD didn't sleep last night, she is excited - plus it is her school leavers ball tonight - and will miss picking up the birds with us because she is staying with a friend.