Space Chick Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Hi, I'm using garlic powder, but would also like to firm up the girls poos as some are a little too runny for my liking (gosh a few weeks ago, I thought I'd never be posting something like this to a forum ). I know loads of you swear by bokashi bran and know about the good organisms that they put in it. However. my question is, in the interim before my bokashi arrives, am I OK to give them other bran ie. bran for adding to bread from Holland and Barratt, All Bran, other generic pet bran from my local pet/equestrian shop. The equestrian shop said that other bran would be fine, but theres only 1 chicken owning chap who works there and he had never even heard of bokashi bran!! Thanks again from a high maintenance newbie. Debs PS. On the plus side, even though its only a few hours since the terrier barking post we appear to have a breakthrough with the water squirting technique! He has been out 5 times since his last soaking and hasn't barked once! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 Don't know for sure, but I don't imagine other types of bran would harm them. I'm not surprised that guy hadn't heard of bokashi, I don't think many people outside the forum have . Good news about your dog . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 26, 2009 Author Share Posted April 26, 2009 Thanks, I took the bran plunge yesterday and bought some bran flakes, which they LOVE!! I hoped I was doing the right thing by them, I've grown so attached to them already! Shall be free-ranging them for the first time today as they have now been in residence for 5 days (although the dog is going down my mother-in-laws - 1 step at a time ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 I put bran around my plants to protect them from slugs, seems to work and doesn't harm the chickens either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckynikki Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 I also am new to this,having had my two girls for about 10 days now. I have got some bokashi bran (rather strong smell!), but want to know how much to give them. At the moment I am just guessing and giving them around a teaspoon a day each as a treat. They absolutely polish it off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 I add quite a few big handfuls to a large box that I keep the pellets in. I don't think the amount matters too much . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 The Omlet shop sells Bokashi and it says 5% of the weight of their feed. I'm not sure how you measure that though.... I personally just chuck a handful in with their pellets. Just wanted to say too, that my chooks spent their first 2 weeks after arriving squitting for England.... it settled down all on it's own but took 2 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 27, 2009 Author Share Posted April 27, 2009 Thanks Hen Watch! I'm being an overly worried 1st time Chicken mummy I think! They seem happy and are very lively, but you do worry about them (especially as Sarah-Jane had some dirty feathers below her vent and my beginners books says thats go to the vets time! But she seems great in herself. Hope it settles down soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Thanks Hen Watch! I'm being an overly worried 1st time Chicken mummy I think! They seem happy and are very lively, but you do worry about them (especially as Sarah-Jane had some dirty feathers below her vent and my beginners books says thats go to the vets time! But she seems great in herself. Hope it settles down soon. I know what you mean, it's like having babies all over again the amount of time I spend worrying about the chickens. You could put a dustbath in the run so Sarah-Jane can clean herself. I use an underbed storage box with dry garden earth as a dust bath. If you really don't like Sarah-Jane's dirty "knickers" then you can give her a bath...... nice sunny day outside is best. I use the same container as the dustbath but filled with warm water. Be prepared to get wet..... I got wet bathing Stella and she's my most docile easy going chicken so a newbie might be a bit fiesty...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidygirlsuk Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Thanks Hen Watch! I'm being an overly worried 1st time Chicken mummy I think! They seem happy and are very lively, but you do worry about them (especially as Sarah-Jane had some dirty feathers below her vent and my beginners books says thats go to the vets time! But she seems great in herself. Hope it settles down soon. I know what you mean, it's like having babies all over again the amount of time I spend worrying about the chickens. You could put a dustbath in the run so Sarah-Jane can clean herself. I use an underbed storage box with dry garden earth as a dust bath. If you really don't like Sarah-Jane's dirty "knickers" then you can give her a bath...... nice sunny day outside is best. I use the same container as the dustbath but filled with warm water. Be prepared to get wet..... I got wet bathing Stella and she's my most docile easy going chicken so a newbie might be a bit fiesty...... Great picture, did she like having a bath ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
