Julieann Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Hi there, Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself as a new Eglu owner as of about an hour ago! I have 3 new chickens (as yet unamed) happily pecking around their run. Any tips on feeding and getting comfortable with letting them out appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara.F Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 just spend as much time in your garden with them as you can! make lots of 'normal' noise cos after a day or so they seem positively comforted by it and, whatever you do, DON'T fall into the trap of giving all different foods to try or you'll never persuade them to eat their pellets! (a small treat at bedtime just to make them feel loved tho should be fine) do let us know when you name them eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernexiled Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Hi there, Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself as a new Eglu owner as of about an hour ago! I have 3 new chickens ( Hi, I'm only a month ahead of you. Kept mine in for five days when first got them now they free range when I'm home and sulk when they can't!! I feed mine treats when they go into the run to encourage them to get in when I need them to - other than that keep it simple or you'll pay the price when it comes to cleaning up poo They all have their own individual personalities and getting braver with each day - found one in the kitchen yesterday They have trashed my more delicate plants - but u cant have it all Best of luck and ejoy Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julieann Posted September 7, 2006 Author Share Posted September 7, 2006 ...Thanks for your advice as I was thinking of giving them all types of food as well as their pellets. Can chickens overeat? They have gobbled up the wholemeal toast I gave them but they can think of that as a moving in present I'll name them soon, waiting for the boyfriend to get home first. They've coped well with the kittens and puppy mooching around the run, they don't seem too afraid! Not looking forward to more poos but hey ho, the cats are almost out of the litter tray and puppy poos must be worse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernexiled Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 ...Thanks for your advice as I was thinking of giving them all types of food as well as their pellets. Can chickens overeat? Initially they get all they need from their mash/pellets think its us who want to spoil them - followed others advise to keep it simple and occassional treats at night As for overeating jordan never stops - in fact she made herself sick the other day and before I got there proceeded to rea eat it --- yeuch Dead funny to see my hurtle themselves for chopped up grapes - the cartoon image of a rubber chicken has nothing on my girls Enjoy Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Hi Julieann, and welcome to the world of chickens karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cute-chickens Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Welcome Jules! We've had our girls for 3 months now. Made the BIG mistake of feeding them all sorts of different food (otherwise known as treats to the old hands at this game) when we first got them. We did mashed potato, spaghetti, baked beans, toast, sweetcorn, strawberries, custard creams - the list was pretty extensive. They decided they preferred these and stopped eating pellets altogether. They also stopped laying eggs - I guess they're not called "layers" pellets for nothing. We eventually got them to eat layers mash - they loved it and egg production started soon after. We still give them the treats, but in moderation, and usually to get them to go into their run in the evening. Sweetcorn is their absolute favourite - they race around when they see it and get very excited. Have lots of fun with your girls - we love ours despite the wrecked garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRAZY CHICK Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 Hi everyone. I have just got two new additions to our family. THe girls are doing fine but I was surprised at the amont of poo they produce. Is this normal and what is the best way oof cleaning it up? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CannyCat Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 Hi everyone. I have just got two new additions to our family. THe girls are doing fine but I was surprised at the amont of poo they produce. Is this normal and what is the best way oof cleaning it up? Thanks I'm a total novice, having had my chooks all of 24 hours, but mine are also pooing for England! I've found if you're keeping your chickens on auboise/chips you can easily rake it out of the run (if youre brave enough to stick your head in that is), otherwise it seems to get mashed into the grass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruth Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 Yup, I too was amazed how much poo was produced . But either they settle down a bit after being moved, or you stop noticing it so much and just deal with it! I move the run every few days and rake over the grass that's been scratched up. In a few weeks I'll put them on bark chippings for the winter as the grass just turns into a quagmire. Best wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRAZY CHICK Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Thanks for the replys. The girls are becoming quite tame now and the speckledy seems to love a fuss, probably because we have been feeding them sweetcorn. I checked the eggport in anticipation this morning but no, only more poo !! I guess I was just surprised how much they produce. I hear its good for the garden though so evey cloud has a silver lining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 more talk about poop I swear we are obsessed chicken poop is good for the garden, but better if you can compost it down first as it is quite strong and, I think, not good to put straight onto flower beds. We have three compost bins on the go with a mixture of poop, the shredded paper from the nesting boxes, veggie / fruit peelings, grass and so on. The resulting compost is fab! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernexiled Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Yup, I too was amazed how much poo was produced . But either they settle down a bit after being moved, or you stop noticing it so much and just deal with it! I Mmmm mine usually wait till I have finnished doing the rounds with my dustpan and kids spade and duly deliver a few more pressies --- not so effective for those runny ones ...........yeuch they are armed and dealy when disturbed. Compost mine too , it has reakky speedened up the decomposing now I have used poo - it has some benefits - honestt I no longer walk round th garden bare footed Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 When our girls had the full free range of the garden you did have to be careful where you trod. An old school friend of mine came to visit with her husband and two children. (& Paul) thought it would be amusing to tell the then 6 year old boy to be careful where he trod as chicken poop exploded. It took him about 30 mins to pluck up the courage to step onto the grass At which point (& Paul) shouted "booooom" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRAZY CHICK Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 My chickens have been sitting under a plant for about 2 hours. It is quite warm here (oxfordshire) so maybe they are just resting in the shade. I thought they would move about all day!. Also my amber star is coughing a bit. Should I be worried or does anyone have any experience of this?Thanks, Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 ok if it is warm, they may just be having a rest. If you have fairly recently got them they are still getting used to their new surroundings and like other animals and humans, will seek shelter from things that might seem a bit scarey When you say "cough" does it sound like that or a sneeze? If its like sneezing then nothing to worry about as lots of chickens get colds and you can treat them with citracidel, or cider vinegar or poultry spice to get them onto top form. Addtionally some chooks sneeze because of dust etc. The only problem would be if they were getting blocked noses as that might mean their respiratory system has been affected Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRAZY CHICK Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 Hi again. The cough is more like a loud hiccup that only comes infrequently. We got the girls on Tuesday so I guess it is very early days yet. They are very cute though !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 Just keep an eye on them - make sure they are eating / drinking and pooping normally - it doesnt sound like anything to be worried about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
