StephanieSB Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Now, for those of you who don't know me well, you may not be aware that where animals are concerned, my OH thinks that I am far, far too obsessed with the emergent properties of their nether regions. Must come from being raised by a mum addicted to accupunture and Chinese medicine (basically: it's all about the bowels). My husband feels that where my animals are concerned I have long ago earned the title The A... oh. Can't spell it out on the forum, but let's just say it beginswith an 'a' and ends with 'whisperer.' So... let's talk poo. 1) In several of my chicken books, it says that 70% of chicken poo is dropped under their perches at night. + 2) A good many chicken keepers here on the fourm use the phrase "poo pick." The emphasis being on the poo being of a consitency one is able to "pick" up. So, what's going on with my chickens -- are they mutants or something? They poo for England. And Scotland. And Wales. And the Channel Islands. They do 99% of their pooing during the day on my lawn -- within the first two hours of waking up. And I cannot "pick" so much as rake, s"Ooops, word censored!"e and spackle off the ground -- yes, they are normal poos, just getting off wet or dewy grass ain't an issue of picking. And I have to repeat the process about three times per day just to give them some grass to walk on and feed off of... and they are in a 3m run. Their droppings tray is only lightly soiled each day. The droppings could be counted on my hands -- for three chickens. Are the books wrong? Are my chickens just eating too much grass? Should I cut out afternoon snacks for a while? Basically -- are my chooks pooing too much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Blimey - our very own Gillian McKeith Yes,hens poo a lot. Much more that people think, Lots & lots & lots. Which is why mine are in a premenant pen,on Aubiose which breaks the poos down quickly - they just disappear. No more pooey feet for me when I go to get the washing in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Ditto!! Mine are also in a permanent run at the bottom of the garden which means that we actually have a garden still and I don't end up traipsing in poo when I go out to pick some strawberries or hang out the washing! They love their run as they've got a covered area and an open one with fruit bushes to dig under (and eat!) and lots of soil to dustbathe in while they have the added bonus of a covered area with lots of wood chippings on the ground when it rains. We can still enjoy being out in the garden and have chickens without having to keep clearing up after them . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Mine poo mainly during the day too. Massively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Mine seem to vary their amount. Sometimes it looks like elephants have pooed in their coop overnight and other mornings there is hardly any there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieSB Posted July 3, 2008 Author Share Posted July 3, 2008 Well, thank you all. Glad to know I am not alone... the hubby and have long planned to establish a permanent winter-time run on the patch where he's now growing some veg -- but the level of 'natural fertiliser' per day may just push that date forward. As soon as he picks the raddishes, I may just get them onto some woodchip/Easibed/Abiose and give myself a break. For now... where's my rake? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 I was told that they poo 20 times a day. Are you using Bokashi Bran? - it really firms up their poo and makes it easier to 'pick' - in this dry weather any that lands on the patio dries up really quickly and can be swept away. If you're feeding lots of fruit and veg that might be making them 'loose' Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieSB Posted July 3, 2008 Author Share Posted July 3, 2008 I was told that they poo 20 times a day. Are you using Bokashi Bran? - it really firms up their poo and makes it easier to 'pick' - in this dry weather any that lands on the patio dries up really quickly and can be swept away. If you're feeding lots of fruit and veg that might be making them 'loose' Jo You're having dry weather? I'm looking for Noah the last couple of days. Yes, they have been on bokashi from day one, and some garlic too, they are fine eating all that -- they turn their beaks up at anything green except grass and won't touch kitchen s"Ooops, word censored!"s, so their intake is pretty 'solid', if you catch my drift. No, it's the heavy morning dew, the rain, just general wet-ish ground. They'll be better off on material more absorbant than grass. I cannot wait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 So, what's going on with my chickens -- are they mutants or something? They poo for England. And Scotland. And Wales. And the Channel Islands. LOL made me laugh! you are not alone - my lot hardly poo in the run and do it all outside my kitchen door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 No, it's not just you. Mine "Ooops, word censored!" constantly. The garden is chocka. If only I could sell it, I'd be minted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 If only I could sell it, I'd be minted. or convert it into diesel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilly Bud Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 I've only had my ladies a few days and i'm with you 100%! I move the run at least twice a day cos their poo is of the sloppy consistancy! I've found the best thing to do is get a stiff bristled broom and sweep it into the grass. It's a good fertiliser and means that the poo isn't just sat there, attracting a lot of flies! I thought it was maybe because they are young, but maybe not! x x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Mine also poo very little at night and there's not a lot to be emptied from the poo trays, but first poo of the morning? Looks like a squadron of elephants flew over You wouldn't think one small bird could contain that much Still they are all healthy and happy, and making good compost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 LOL made me laugh! you are not alone - my lot hardly poo in the run and do it all outside my kitchen door. Ditto! What is it which makes the spot just where you step out so attractive? We're all used to it, but they always manage to catch unwary guests. Most embarrassing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keanie Bean Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Mine used to be free to come into the house, but the little blighters seemed to save it all up until they were inside. . Now they have a permanent run and the amount of poo seems to vary. What they eat definately effects how squishy ( ) it is so keep traets to a minimum and only in the late afternoon. Sarah.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 LOL made me laugh! you are not alone - my lot hardly poo in the run and do it all outside my kitchen door. Ditto! What is it which makes the spot just where you step out so attractive? We're all used to it, but they always manage to catch unwary guests. Most embarrassing! Yup and the dog walks all in it and spreads it around. I dont know why they poo there - I reckon they know its naughty and that is why! little trouble makers. : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 the a*** whisperer hee hee heee!!! that's hilarious if they're pooing a lot they must be healthy i reckon. great for the compost heap too! (the poos, not the chickens ) Skye xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
