4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[tara]

My chooks hate this cold weather role on summer for them or tho there enjoying the worm hunting and they did run about in the snow then sat and looked in our warm house, l felt so bad.

 

 

Mum to......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and lots of

[dancing cloud]

My ex-batt monsters all huddled together out of the wind yesterday. Although they looked a bit sad, at least they've learned how to keep themselves and each other warm - and they soon stopped huddling and came running when the porridge arrived

[cordelia]

my chooks encountered snow for the first time on saturday....they came out...saw it..and all went back into their eglu......first time they've ever done that !! poor things...

[blackgold]

We ex batts that i have had for 2 days, are still in a keenl and dog run. Cant risk letting them out in the cold and wet. i have a stinking cold as well and it isnt getting any better from me constandtly going out into the dog yard to check my chickens.....Pictures on my collie talk spaces

[beach chick]

in the last 36 hours we have had: rain, sleet, drizzle, raging winds, hail, rainbows, brilliant sunshine! but it is SO cold, I think I have brainfreeze.

chooks not impressed, and I keep making nice hot bowls of mash to cheer them up.

[blackgold]

Mine are still on layers mash. Have you got your recipe for mash. i have lots of different foods, grains etc in for them but they definately eat more of the mash stuff even though it is dry and looks like powder. Can i use soem of my layers pellets for a porridge...

[beach chick]

my mash recipe is not sophisticated:

a mug full or so of layers pellets. boiling water. a handful of bran. some live yoghurt if I've got some. then if I'm feeling kind I might bung in some raisins, grated cheese, mealworms, tuna, catfood - just one extra not the lot, I hasten to add! oh and any left over cooked veggies go in there too. stir it all together.

its a bit of trial and error making it a nice consistency but they seem to like it anyway!

[blackgold]

good grief your mash sounds more like a four course meal lol I havent got any cats can hens eat dog food? Can i use warm milk> I cut up an apple and some grapes today but they seem to just kick them all over the run, not sure if any was actually eaten....

[helenmb]

Can i use warm milk

I seem to remember reading somewhere that some hens can't take milk (?lactose intolerant) so probably best to not use too much. However, I do give my girls live yoghurt (either bought or I make my own) mixed with bokashi bran, occasionally some oats and any seeds I might have left over, all of which they love. I give it to them a bit later in the morning so they have had their layers mash first. Am going to try mixing in some of the mash too I think.

 

I read in one of my poultry keeping books that you should only add just enough water so that if you squeeze it in your hand that is looks crumbly. And also that it goes off very quickly so not to leave out any left over stuff (not that this is likely ).

 

I think it is particularly useful for sneaking in stuff you want them to take eg flubenvet, vitamins etc as they love it so much.

[blackgold]

Mine havent got to the stage of not leaving anything yet. i am still grateful if they eat anything..... They fill up on layers mash but i want to get them off it as soon as possible and make them a bit more adventurous when it comes to food.....I am throwing a lot away each night as I dont want vermin in there and as they knock all containers over most of the food is covered in wood shavings,,lol

[beach chick]

someone else on here said mash would be ok if left for a day or so... didnt know that about the consistency, I just find it soaks up so much water that after 5 mins you have cement in the bowl!! I leave mine out because it's inside the electric fence so I assume vermin would get zapped. I have found a hedgehog actually ASLEEP on the fence, making it short out so have donned thick gloves and moved him to safety (it happened twice, so I assume it was the same one!!), but never seen anything else. I guess the wild birds come in, but they'd do that anyway as we dont have an enclosed run.

[blackgold]

noticed on your signature you were getting some ex batts in August. Did you get them, were they a bit reluctant to eat at first?

[tara]

Quote However, I do give my girls live yoghurt (either bought or I make my own)

 

 

 

How do you make live yougurt

[beach chick]

hi blackgold - no, we never got them - didnt get a call from the coordinator to say to come along, and the w/e the rescue was supposed to be for we were away anyway. may still do it, coz I think it's a great thing, but I might be selfish and add some blue or green layers instead!

just depends on how it goes wth the cube, and whether or not we have to rehome our cockerel. waiting for spring now I think.

[blackgold]

Hi My name is Sue. Blackgold is our kennel club affix lol

[beach chick]

OOPS! sorry Sue! I must check out your links, I work for Royal Canin and James Wellbeloved so am quite into the doggy world!!