Patridge bantam chicken poorly foot?

[bringmesunshine]

Hi everyone,

 

My Cube and Eglu have arrived but I simply cannot figure out how to keep their food dry. I leave the house door in the eglu open 24/7 as I don't like shutting them up but have been forced to move the shelter to stop the rain getting in. So the feeder is exposed and just collects water.

 

But there's nowhere dry to put the feeder in the cube, anyhow.

 

What do other people do?

 

Note, for years, we've always used the large, traditional feeders (one for corn, one for layers' pellets) that they eat from whenever they want. I take it that I'm now expected to give them a daily ration of pellets plus corn on the ground as a treat? What about my cockerels and chicks? The pellets aren't for them!

 

And, while I'm on the subject, what have other people done to make their cube and eglu runs a bit more weather-proof? Having spent a grand, I really can't afford to spend any more!

[Angels4]

Hello and welcome to the forum from across the pond. Myself and alot of others on here purchased an inexpensive shower curtain to cover the run with on rainy days.

[bringmesunshine]

A shower curtain?

 

Ye gods, that's genius!!!!!

 

I would never have thought of that

 

/claps hands with joy

 

[quickcluck]

Ikea is best if you have one nearby, they do a completely clear one for about 70p, I have 2 covering mine and might put one along the side for horizontal rain!

[Egluntyne]

I use clear plastic sheeting from Dunelm Mill.

 

If you have all your hens/cockerels/chicks in together, I don't see how you are going to prevent any of them eating the others food tbh.

[clootie]

A kind forum member listed this link on another thread which might be useful to you.

 

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tarpaulins-To-Go

 

Worth a look perhaps?

[bringmesunshine]

If you have all your hens/cockerels/chicks in together, I don't see how you are going to prevent any of them eating the others food tbh.

 

I'm used to putting both out 24/7 and letting them eat what they want. Small chicks and their 'mum' are kept separately until the chicks are old enough to mingle. I'm now putting some corn out for them in the day as a treat and giving them the pellets permanently but given that chickens eat 2 different types of food, only supplying one feeder seems a bit daft to me.

 

A kind forum member listed this link on another thread which might be useful to you.

 

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tarpaulins-To-Go

 

Worth a look perhaps?

 

Thanks Clootie, I'll take a look.

 

I must admit, I'm extremely miffed at having to spend more money to ensure that my chooks are dry and comfortable. you would have thought that spending a grand would cover those bases for you.

[Egluntyne]

I must admit, I'm extremely miffed at having to spend more money to ensure that my chooks are dry and comfortable. you would have thought that spending a grand would cover those bases for you.

 

Sorry to hear that you are disappointed.

 

Why not contact Omlet to give them some customer feedback?

[helenmb]

If you want something a bit more sturdy than a shower curtain you could use the clear plastic corrugated roofing sheets (water will drain off them better too I think) and use bungees to hold them over the top of the run. You can buy these at places like B & Q, Wickes etc and are about a fiver each. Plus, you can also drill holes (useful for attaching something to tie them down with) in them and cut them to size.

 

Just a thought? There are some pics on the forum will have a look and see if I can find one so you can see what it looks like.

 

Edited - found some info here Scroll down the page to see pics

[bringmesunshine]

Hi helenmb,

 

Thanks for that. I'd already considered it but to cover the whole run for both the eglu and the cube, it'll cost me about £50, which unfortunately puts it out of my budget for now.

 

So it's Ikea for for a fiver for the time being. I reckon that the water should drain off quite nicely if I can find a way to raise the curtain away from the sides of the run so it can't pass through.

 

But ... I think mum might have some left over from when the builders were up, so I'll have to have a look round and see what I can pinch the next time I'm up there!

 

Thanks for the suggestion though - and for finding the photo!

[aaronmusgrove123]

with my winter shade my chickens ,the ground underneath and food never get wet its great