Single hen

[fluffyknickers]

Hi there, as you may have guessed I have a few questions and just want to ask things like "is this normal"!!

 

Got my three chickens and cube and standard run on Thursday.

.

 

1. They arent eating a lot of pelletts is this ok? Do you think they dont like the garlic I put in?!

 

2. They find a lot of caterpillars and slugs/worms in their run and eat them - is this ok?

 

3. The is still a bit frightened of the who bully her - will this top

 

4. I have put a couple of pieces of long wood in and across the run in the hope they may like to perch on it. Until I can get something like a broom handle or branch its a piece of wood that I found at the back of the shed - it isnt round (cylinderical) but is flat IYSWIM - will this be ok. I assume as they sat on the ladder rungs they would cope.

 

5. Is it too early to start handling them and picking them up? The two both come out every time I open the door (they are fearless) and I have to pick them up and put them back but would also like to give the a cuddle as she is lovely! Should I wait?!

 

6. How often should I poo pick and empty the pooh trays and nest area?

 

7. How thick should the bedding be on the bottom of the run? I have woodchip and aubiose but where they scratch around they have made some holes

 

8. How often should I clear out the bedding int he run and refresh it all?

 

9. Want to worm them but should I let them settle in a few weeks first

 

10. I have only been treating them to corn around 4pm but would it be ok to have a permanant treat in the run like a brussel 'tree' hanging up?

 

11. Youll be pleased there isnt an 11!!!

 

Thank you

michelle

[chelsea]

Hi there, as you may have guessed I have a few questions and just want to ask things like "is this normal"!!

 

Got my three chickens and cube and standard run on Thursday.

.

 

1. They arent eating a lot of pelletts is this ok? Do you think they dont like the garlic I put in?!

 

Yes this is normal, once they are laying they will eat for England

 

2. They find a lot of caterpillars and slugs/worms in their run and eat them - is this ok?

yes, its normal

 

3. The is still a bit frightened of the who bully her - will this top

 

It should calm down, the pecking order is being established. Keep an eye on them just incase there are any wounds, they can be made worse if the pecker sees the blood.

4. I have put a couple of pieces of long wood in and across the run in the hope they may like to perch on it. Until I can get something like a broom handle or branch its a piece of wood that I found at the back of the shed - it isnt round (cylinderical) but is flat IYSWIM - will this be ok. I assume as they sat on the ladder rungs they would cope.

 

Yes this is fine, I also have a piece of wood across my eglu run. They ususally dont perch at first but will eventually

5. Is it too early to start handling them and picking them up? The two both come out every time I open the door (they are fearless) and I have to pick them up and put them back but would also like to give the a cuddle as she is lovely! Should I wait?!

 

No, cuddle as much as you want....they get used to you and you get used to them - handle as much as possible!

 

6. How often should I poo pick and empty the pooh trays and nest area?

 

I poo pick every day (but not necessary) we empty trays once a week in winter and twice a week in summer (in warm weather)

7. How thick should the bedding be on the bottom of the run? I have woodchip and aubiose but where they scratch around they have made some holes

 

8. How often should I clear out the bedding int he run and refresh it all?

 

Again, weather dependant. In winter if it has been dry we clean out 3-6 weeks, in summer in dry weather roughly the same. In wet weather it may be more frequent. You yourself will know when it needs doing as your nose will tell you!

 

9. Want to worm them but should I let them settle in a few weeks first

 

Yes, let them settle for a month and then maybe worm

 

10. I have only been treating them to corn around 4pm but would it be ok to have a permanant treat in the run like a brussel 'tree' hanging up?

 

Yes, good idea as it keeps them entertained, mine didnt touch the brussel tree but corn on the cobs are a big hit or a cabbage11. Youll be pleased there isnt an 11!!!

 

Thank you

michelle

[Egluntyne]

 

1. They arent eating a lot of pelletts is this ok? Do you think they dont like the garlic I put in?!

 

They don't eat much at all until they come into lay, then their appetites really take off, so don't worry about that. They may take a day or two to get used to the garlic. Don't be over generous. :D

 

2. They find a lot of caterpillars and slugs/worms in their run and eat them - is this ok?

 

Yes....but they act as intermediate hosts for certain parasitic worms so you will need to think about a worming regime eventually.

 

3. The is still a bit frightened of the who bully her - will this top

 

Yes, eventually. Just keep an eye on them and provide a few distractions such as a cabbage to peck at.

 

4. I have put a couple of pieces of long wood in and across the run in the hope they may like to perch on it. Until I can get something like a broom handle or branch its a piece of wood that I found at the back of the shed - it isnt round (cylinderical) but is flat IYSWIM - will this be ok. I assume as they sat on the ladder rungs they would cope.

 

It will be fine.

 

5. Is it too early to start handling them and picking them up? The two both come out every time I open the door (they are fearless) and I have to pick them up and put them back but would also like to give the a cuddle as she is lovely! Should I wait?!

I'd leave them a day or two to settle and then lift them out of the nest box at night when they are drowsy. They will get used to you handling them, and it will get you used to it too.

 

6. How often should I poo pick and empty the pooh trays and nest area?

I poo pick every day and empty the nest box and trays twice a week.

 

7. How thick should the bedding be on the bottom of the run? I have woodchip and aubiose but where they scratch around they have made some holes

 

I have it around an inch deep.

 

8. How often should I clear out the bedding int he run and refresh it all?

 

I do it roughly every six weeks

 

9. Want to worm them but should I let them settle in a few weeks first

 

I would leave it a month or so.

 

10. I have only been treating them to corn around 4pm but would it be ok to have a permanant treat in the run like a brussel 'tree' hanging up?

 

Yes. See 3!

 

11. Youll be pleased there isnt an 11!!!

 

I am.

[Purplemaniacs]

Welcome to the forum Michelle.

 

As far as your questions are concerned I can not add anything more, Egluntine and Chelsea have far more experience than I do

 

We have a brussel tree hanging in our run and yesterday 4 year old grandaughter and DD were laughing, Latte was jumping to reach the tastier and unpecked parts of the tree. I have never seen a chicken jump straight up in the air before, very funny

 

Enjoy your new girls, they are great fun

 

Chrissie

[fluffyknickers]

Thanks everyone.

 

I am off to pooh pick for a bit today - what else are weekends for!?

 

I have hung a corn on the cob by some string into the run - they looked at it, looked at me and then walked away! They must think "what is this crazy place we have walked into"!!!

 

They like perching on the wood I put in but I am still on the lookout for a nice branch so it looks more rustic.

 

They dont mind being held even during the day, the GNRs do a bit of squeaking first of all but they are both quite pickles but the pepperpot is happy to be cuddled as it gets her out the way of being bullied - yesterday I fed her some corn whilst holding her as otherwise she doesnt get any.

 

I am desperate for eggs but I doubt these will come til at least next month if the combs have anything to go by!

 

I know its only a few days but when I am in the garden in a bit I may let them out for a while and then pick them up or bribe with corn to get back in. Will just make it easier for me to be in the run and pooh pick.

 

I may have been heavy handed with the garlic so going to add the pellets back in the bag mix them up and put some back in so 'dilute' the garlic a bit.

 

I think I am getting sorted and my head in order with what needs to be done when but its all a learning curve.

 

My elderly neighbour was watching out her bedroom window this morning when i came to let them out - will ask if she wants to come and see them. My husband watched me doing it and then came in and he told me I look a right nutter out in the garden in my wellies and dressing gown talking to the chickens and telling the two to leave the alone!!!

 

Right, off to pooh pick!

michelle

[Plum]

Yes not all neighbours quite get it. They look a bit bewildered when you drag them down the garden to see the chickens when I first got them. One just looked from the top and said 'yes very nice' and never moved to walk down to them. Thought everyone would be as excited as me.

 

Mine will kill for corn on the cob, did you give them fresh or the dried pet shop one.

How is your black girl? any more confident?

[LJ's Chooks]

Dont worry too much about the neighbours, they will soon get more interested when they get a little box of eggs on their door step, ours now chook sit and we find them in the garden chatting to the chooks...

 

Our neighbours thought i was nuts too... they regularly spy me trotting to the girls in my jammies and crock wellies, they think its very funny, but love the eggs!!!

[fluffyknickers]

My little Nugget (I call her nugsy) I think, is a little better today but still every time she goes for any food be it pellets or treats the queen of the crew goes for her and moves away to let her fo as she pleases. I want Nugsy to get tougher though and stand up for herself.

 

I let them out to free range today in the garden while I pooh picked (know its only a few days but couldnt resist letting them out sorry ) and I cuddled Nugsy and fed her some corn while I held her -she is happy to be held and sits on my lap.

 

We have been busy today getting all the ground round the cube and run done with slabs etc.

 

x

[Egluntyne]

My little Nugget (I call her nugsy) I think, is a little better today but still every time she goes for any food be it pellets or treats the queen of the crew goes for her and moves away to let her fo as she pleases. I want Nugsy to get tougher though and stand up for herself.

Have you tried putting out three food stations, as far apart as manageable. The aggressor will only be able to 'man' two at any one time so Nugget should be able to grab a mouthful here and there.

[fluffyknickers]

I have two food stations but not three (yet) so will have to sort out a third! I will have to buy another food container first (I have one that has grit in it, one grub with pellets and another small container with pellets).

 

Poor old Nugsy!

 

x

[Hen Watch]

I let them out to free range today in the garden while I pooh picked

 

I only poop pick the grass where they free range daily. But not in the run, I have Auboise in the run and I just leave it as it gets kicked around and poop absorbed all on its own. I just replace the Auboise completely once a month.

 

My neighbours are used to me padding round the garden in my dressing gown at 7am to let the girls out into the run. I do look a sight though.

 

I'm sure the pecking order thing will sort itself out soon. But someone will always be bottom of the heap, that's just the way of things. My Stella is chook number 4 and always has to wait until the other 3 have eaten before she gets a look in (and that's even with 2 feeding stations).

[maryeadrian]

Great questions, Michelle! It prepares me a little more each day. (Now I won't have to ask them when it's my turn to get my hens. )

 

How often do you have to worm them? How? This part is all new to me.....

[fluffyknickers]

This has always been me even at school - I ask all the questions and annoy everyone!

 

I am planning on working in a few weeks when they are settled in and using flubenvet.

 

I 'plan' on putting it in the pellets as seems they then each get the amount they are supposed to. Either that or in a grape or raisin - however at the moment they arent that into any treats apart from corn crazy.

x