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

[smanners]

My new EX Batt girls spent their first night in the Eglu in our warm kitchen although the house heating went off during the night.They are reasonably well feathered with some bare bits around the neck/breast area.

First question

It's very cold outside here (even though we live by the sea) and the ground is very frosty. Do you think it's ok for them to go outside yet if I put some plastic sheeting and an old duvet over the run area?

Is there anything else anyone can suggest to lessen the shock?

Second question

I've only got one glug which they've mastered but not the Grub yet and they've scattered the mash given in bowls everywhere.They have knocked over the other type of water containers provided by perching on top!!

Any suggestions on other best types of feeders and water cotainers to use so I can provide several stations. (one hen is being rather stroppy and preventing the other 2 from feeding etc.)

Other than this we've had 2 eggs already and loads of entertainment and cuddles

Thank you in advance of answers.

 

Sophie

[Egluntyne]

How about a heavy ceramic dish such as a dog bowl for the mash. They do scatter it everywhere.....and it can get a bit smelly.

 

My ex-bats managed OK with the grub, but I put a litter tray, weighed down with a rock under it to catch most of the scatterings.

 

I also have a couple of **these **which I found quite useful. It stopped them washing their feet in their drinking water. Dirt cheap on ebay.

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Can I add another couple of questions please as I will get mine in a few weeks time....

 

Q1 - Would they go for hot mash in anyone's experience? My three gannets all devour the hot stuff like it's going out of fashion & ignore their pellets which are always in the grub on the side (unless I go out & am not back in time for their mash tea.......bad chook mummy that I am )

 

Answer of sorts for Smanners - I plan to put a grub of pellets/mash mix on the side of the run, so they get used to that and a couple of earthenware dog bowls in the run, even my three chooks don't upend them although they have tried on numerous occasions!

 

Q2 - I'm not sure whether to put the "newbie" eglu up the garden with the other girls, or to keep it on the tiny patio by the back door, so they are a little more protected from the elements, would also be a bit quarantined until the big girls find them - 3 nanoseconds later!!! - thoughts please oh experienced & wonderful Omleteers !

 

Sha x

Sorry, overposted with Egluntine re the bowls - great & wishing-to-be-great minds think alike !

[smanners]

Thanks for the quick responses and info, I will whizz out and get some ceramic bowls for them.

Re water containers Egluntine..... it was that type that they have climbed on so the top and bottom separate and the water goes everywhere. It's not too much of a problem other than I have to keep refilling them. Will order some more glugs/grubs I think but don't tell OH as he knows once I get into the Omlet shop I won't just buy one thing

[Mayo]

Try googling mason and cash spaniel which will lead you to ceramic bowls that nothing should be able to knock over; and they're very difficult to paddle in too.

 

Happy New Year.

 

Mayo

[smanners]

Thanks Mayo,

Funnily enough I managed to get a very sturdy ceramic bowl £3.99 in Wilkinsons today.It looks bomb proof and has done the job well so far.

The girls are outside now (toasty in their Eglu) and run is well covered for warmth tomorrow.

So far so good with only the odd bit of bullying going on now and again.