ValR Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 After the excitement of waiting for my eglu, complete with 2 chickens, they arrived on Wednesday. But they both seem poorly. The ginger has a cold, for which Omlet are sending me something to add to the drink. But today the pepperpot has horrible bright yellow droppings, which look just like one of the horrible pictures in the clinic. I've only just got them!And I'm very new to chicken keeping, so this is making me wonder whether I've made a big mistake. I really don't want to have to go to the vet within 3 days of getting the chooks (I'm not sure whether I've mastered the art of picking them up yet). What can I do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yolky Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 Chooks do often get colds and so what omlet send you should help with that. With the other hens droppings being bright yellow this could be just her tummy being unsettled because of the move. I know it took my girls a week or more to get settled in and for the poos to calm down (although 1 in every 10 poos will be yellowy, there is a name for them but I cannot remember it I call them curry poos) The first weeks with new hens can be a bit hard work as it is all new but I am sure it will settle. I would give it a good week or so more, try the stuff that omlet give you for the colds and also, if you can get it, try getting some bokashi bran for them. Bokashi can really help firm up the poos and makes them smell less too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 If you keep them on just pellets and water, with probiotic yoghurt and bokashi bran if you can get hold of some, as the only additions, her tum should settle. They often have the squitts when they move house, and is usually nothing to worry about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 It is a worry when you don't know what's normal and what's not . As the others have said, it's probably just them being unsettled after their move. Don't worry, it gets easier as you get used to them . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValR Posted August 29, 2008 Author Share Posted August 29, 2008 That's a huge relief. Thank you. I happen to have some bokashi bran from the compost system I tried recently, so I'll give that a go. I put a dish of yoghurt out but they seem to be ignoring it, but I'll try mixing some bran in. I feel much happier now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 This is going off topic a bit, but can I ask if you had any luck with your bokashi compost bin (I'm assuming it was that you mean)? I had one which worked then two which didn't and it's put me off trying again . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValR Posted August 30, 2008 Author Share Posted August 30, 2008 No, I didn't! I only tried once, and it went mouldy. I assume I wasn't compressing it enough. I'd been meaning to have another go, but hadn't got round to it - just as well as my chucks are now having some mixed in with a bit of preb yog and pellets. They seem to enjoy it (first feed this morning). I tried putting a garlic clove in the water, but I'm not sure they're drinking it, so that'll come out today and be replaced with the stuff Omlet have sent for the cold (assuming it arrives today). On another topic - I've been trying to remove the droppings from the run as I'm advised not to let them out for a few days. Is that wise or overkill? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucknette Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 Hi ValR Sorry to hear you have had a few problems at the start of your henkeeping As to the run do you have anything in it like abiose or easibed as either of these would absorb the poos. Clean as and when you feel it needs it as you will be able to give it a good clean when you let them out and its only a couple of days Happy hen keeping Best wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 My Omlet girls had the squits for 2 weeks when they arrived. I was in awe at the amount of poo they did and was cleaning the roosting bars every 2 days. It settled down and I now just clean the bars once a week. The Bokashi you have will be useful for the squits. When I chuck a handful in with the pellets my naughty girls leave it. So I sprinkle it on their treats or mix live yoghurt, few spoons of pellets and some bokashi together and they love it. As for the run, I had mine on grass and for the first 5 days that you keep them in, it got really pooped on. You can try and rake it out, or when they've gone to bed, blast the poos with a hosepipe and they will dissappear into the grass. Don't do this when they are in the run because they love drinking pooey water and also they will scratch up the wet grass looking for worms. Your girls tums should settle soon, just remember they've had stress of a journey, new housing, grass....etc to content with. Please do ask any questions, as it's a steep learning curve when the girls first arrive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValR Posted August 31, 2008 Author Share Posted August 31, 2008 What are abiose and easibed? I have some bark chips I bought, then read that they're not very good as they get mouldy and wet, so haven't used them. The run is on a poor soil, so not much grass, bits of nettles, and other weeds. They seem to love having a dustbath, so I'm a bit reluctant to cover it with anything. They certainly loved the yoghurt/bokashi/pellet mix. I'm still a bit worried about the ginger. The cold treatment hasn't arrived, so she's sneezing away, and she seems much smaller and less confident then the pepperpot. Omlet have offered to exchange her, but not until 11th September. I don't think I'll have the heart to let her go then - and to keep another chick in the run for another 5 days! I've just put a groundsheet over a bit more of the run - I'm sure they don't like getting wet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 They are both types of horse bedding (other varieties below). I've always used Hemcore and really like it, but the price has gone up so much my supplier's not stocking it any more. I'm going to try Easibed next. http://www.aubiose.co.uk/ http://www.hemcore.co.uk/bedding.html http://www.easibed.co.uk/ http://www.nedz.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 My Omlet girls also did lots of bright yellow poo the first couple of weeks; it must be the change of environment. I've noticd other new chickens get the sniffles in the first fre days too. What works for me is Citricidal in the drinking water, a clove of garlic, (always) a splash of Respite from the domestic fowl trust. I also add Poultry Booster and ACV (apple cider vinegar as a matter of routine. Johnsons do a cold mixture too; sometimes I've added that. They're all natural remedies, so better to be safe than sorry. I try all that and usually avoid a trip to the vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 What are abiose and easibed? I have some bark chips I bought, then read that they're not very good as they get mouldy and wet, so haven't used them. The run is on a poor soil, so not much grass, bits of nettles, and other weeds. They seem to love having a dustbath, so I'm a bit reluctant to cover it with anything.They certainly loved the yoghurt/bokashi/pellet mix. I'm still a bit worried about the ginger. The cold treatment hasn't arrived, so she's sneezing away, and she seems much smaller and less confident then the pepperpot. Omlet have offered to exchange her, but not until 11th September. I don't think I'll have the heart to let her go then - and to keep another chick in the run for another 5 days! I've just put a groundsheet over a bit more of the run - I'm sure they don't like getting wet. I'm new to chicken keeping, so far I've tried: 1. Chipped Bark - smells a bit and gets slushy in the wet 2. Wood shavings - lasted 48 hours before discovering the worst smell ever 3. B&Q Hardwood Woodchip - a winner so far - only had it down for a week but no smell, dries fairly quickly, poo disappears as the chooks are always exploring it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValR Posted September 1, 2008 Author Share Posted September 1, 2008 Thanks for all the advice - I'll pop the garlic clove back in the water. I'm still waiting for the cold cure from Omlet - maybe that's Citricidal? B&Q sounds worth a visit - especially as I get OAP discount on Wednesdays! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hils78 Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 I crush a clove of garlic into mines pellets which they love - first time they try it they are quite shocked though! lots of beak wiping on the floor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValR Posted September 3, 2008 Author Share Posted September 3, 2008 Steve. - are you sure they were hardwood woodchips? I could only find softwood ones this morning, so didn't buy them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooklady Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Another woodchip fan here aswell, B&Q 4 bags for 12 quid, bargain and the chooks love digging in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Steve. - are you sure they were hardwood woodchips? I could only find softwood ones this morning, so didn't buy them. Yes - most definitely hardwood chippings. Available in blue, black, and natural. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValR Posted September 9, 2008 Author Share Posted September 9, 2008 Thanks SteveR, I've found them, they're great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
