Solitary chicken - need advice

[Yolky]

Well the first weekend is over and my new girls seem settled and happy. All I can see from my view of the garden is three pairs of frilly knickers lol.

They seem like very well behaved girls. No feather pecking so far *touch wood*. They are quiet girlies too, they only bokked once and that was the first time they saw one of my cats, now they have seen them both they just stare at them if they come close, even when my younger cat ran at the run this morning, cat is now suitibly unimpressed and strolled off.

 

I think the main thing I have learned is that I need a fixed base and the use of bedding in the run to help keep on top of the poo situation. They are having bokashi and I have added garlic powder from today to help with the smells (how long will these things take to work?) as they are on grass at the moment they are eating the layers but also lots of grass.

 

I need a touch of help with the fixed run please. They only sell bliss and easybed at my local place...from reading it seems thst some use easy bed, is that good stuff? I am going to get some of that plastic grass edging to go round the eglu run to keep it in.

 

My husbands job of the week is to ask all builders who come to his work if they have any slabs they need removing. I know I need a cover when using bedding, is the omlet shade and ikea shower curtain ok or do I need to order a winter cover from omlet (or the corrugated plastic ) I need to be able to pop out and if I see a poo be able to remove it swiftly.

 

Other questions....they sold bags of mixed oyster shell for a quid, do I need some of this to scatter yet (not laying yet and I think it may be a little bit as there combs are not red, although I was very excited to see a touch of red this morning in Mrs PPs comb) also do they need mixed corn yet, they aren't really interested in treats at the mo (we don't give treats till late afternoon)

 

Also how much bokashi and garlic to give? In a half full grub I put 2 desert spoons of bokashi and 2 large teaspoons of garlic.

 

Thank you for all your continuing help, this forum is a godsend.

Edited July 14, 2008 by Guest

[Yolky]

forgot to say they are fab at putting themselves to bed too. Last night we wanted to move their eglu so we said we would go out at about half nine (the time they went to bed the other nights) went out about twenty five past they are all still out there so we came back in. Then at exactly half past night they made an orderly cue and went to bed

 

 

A question about top chook...would that be the one that goes to bed/gets out of eglu first? I think the is bottom as she does eat last.

[Yolky]

Just been to look at the plastic lawn edging for round the sides and I am wondering if 9cm high is high enough?

 

thankyou

[Egluntyne]

Best not to give the Oystershell till they are laying.

 

Too much calcium before they need it is not good for them.

 

Many Omleteer use Easibed successfully, so I'm sure you will have no problems with it.

[Olly]

9cm should be high enough, I think that's what I used. I just punched holes with a garden knife and then secured it to the run with cable-ties. A bit fiddly, but it looks tidy and keeps the aubiose/hemcore/easibed in!

 

I would have thought Easibed would be ok - try a search on here to see if you can find any threads about it.

 

Re the garlic powder, the amount you are adding sounds about right and you should notice a difference quite quickly - a day or so. If not - add a little bit more, till you think you're getting it right. I haven't tried Bokashi.

 

Oh- and a plastic shower curtain will be fine, I preferred that on mine to the winter cover because it went right over the Eglu down to the ground, and I could still see through it.

 

Hope that's answered some of your questions, if not all of them!

[quickcluck]

Hi Yolky..

 

It seems you are well on top of things, well done, you have obviously enjoyed your first few days with them...

 

I hope mine are as successful!

[Yolky]

Thanks for the replies. I have just gone and bought the lawn edger and cable ties so that is sorted. Might do that tonight actually then tomorrow I could get some easybed to go on top of the lawn as a solution before we get the slabs. I also need to work out how to stop Rosey knocking all the food out of the grub to eat. I put a seed tray underneath to catch it and so now she scoops out about 20 pellets, eats only one of them, scoops again ad infinium.

[Electricbarbarella]

can you posdt me a photo when you have done your lawn edging thing as I have also bought some today but not really sure what i am going to do with it. I though about just putting it into the lawn around the edge of the cube but I guess fastening it to it would be better.