Britannia Ovens (esp Range cookers) your experience

[henny penny]

Hi

My white sussex is looking decidedly grubby. I think its after all the rain, We use the winter cover and bark and some auboise (although not much this week) in the run.

I hate seeing her look grubby, is any one else having the same sort of problems?

[mand and family]

Hi henny penny

 

i've the same problem with my light sussex's(which are white, are they the same?) so would be interested in any you replies you have.

 

I've just moved my cube on to my drive for the winter, as it's brick set and i've put down hempcore on the floor of the run.

My garden is just so water logged at the moment. I just hope the grass recovers in spring. I am contemplating a permanent run for next year for various reasons!

 

Anyway the girls are free ranging at the moment over all my garden, because it's winter and the kids don't play on it as it's so wet.

There is more grass for them now, but just moving them like this has already cleaned up thier feet tremendously(in just one day).

But apart from bathing them I'm at a loss at what to do.

 

I'm sure others will be along soon who have more experience, I'm still a novice myself.

[henny penny]

Hi

I meant Light Sussex my finger must have slipped! yes they are white normally but i would say at the moment she has a definite grey tinge to her.

I have added more auboise to the run and am thinking of adding a clear cover which someone else has posted elsewhere- I think the company is Tarpaflex and they do a clear cover which measures 2m x3m. I do let them free range but it varies in time day to day depending on work/ weather etc.

[mand and family]

Hi again

 

My run has a temp. cover at the moment, i've used clear plastic which is for small garden cloche's but it's not strong enough and has split.

 

Some one has mentioned a link for tarporlins on the forum,

I think i will ring and order one! if i can find the message!

I'm lucky in that when i'm at work, my father in law lets the girls out in the afternoon to free range.

Although, this may change as the dark nights are drawing in fast. I may let them out in the morning and get him to shut the run door on an evening instead.

[Gamebird]

My Light Sussex hyprids are looking distinctly Light Brown Sussex.

 

They free range all day and are still dust bathing in their usual place which is no longer dust but wet soil. They don't seem to notice and are happy enough.

 

I can't get too worried about it. I expect they'll clean up in the Spring.

[TAJ]

My light sussex often loks light brown if she has been out in the mud - but then I make them go back in the covered run if it is really wet - she usually cleans herself up and returns to being white after a couple of days of rain.

 

Tracy

[sarah-w]

Hi all

Patsy my light sussex is kind of yellowy beige at the moment

She like to mud bath rather than dust bath!

[henny penny]

Thanks for your comments- it must be the time of year/ weather conditions. its nice to know that other chickens are similar.

Having thought about it -It must be like wearing a wedding dress 24/7 12months a year! theres no way i could keep my dress clean for any length of time!

 

its only noticeable because my other too are speckled black and a red hen- so they dont show up the dirt1

thanks again for your comments

[Janty]

My girls are permanently filthy.

 

My splash cochin has renetly moulted quite badly and her new feathers are 'Daz white'. I had forgotten just how lovely she was meant to look.

 

My Dad asked me what colour my pekin was a while back as she had a lilacy colour mixed with a brown underside. She is meant to be lavender! I washed her soon afterwards. I have to say though, she is back to her usual mucky self again.

 

[Must be mad]

I have 2 light sussex, 1 who is in a and walk in run, she is a brownish grey colour (dirt) and a 7 week old who is kept in a shed and is brilliant white.

 

It will be sad to see her go out in the run and get dirty.