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

[sgregson]

Hi

 

We got our gorgeous girls yesterday and already the eglu stuck this morning! I've bought some garlic powder which I'd read will help to reduce the smell. There are no instructions on the packet (unless you're feeding a horse) so I was just wondering how much do I put in the feed?

 

My second question is the food container is still fairly full of pellets - is it ok to just top the pellets up and give it a good stir or should I, each day, bin the food and put fresh in?

 

Any advice would be appreciated very much

 

Another two today - such clever girls

 

Thanks, Sal

[Redwing]

I put about a level teaspoon of garlic powder in when I fill up the Grub from empty - not sure if its right but it works for me!

 

Top up the pellets when necessary adding a sprinkle of garlic powder, you don't need to throw the food away. I empty my Grub back in to the feed bin each week and give it a good clean and refill so there is never the same food in the bottom for more than a week

 

If food in the Grub gets damp I put it in a bowl with some hot water and stir - the chickens love pellet porridge

[Budgies]

When chooks have been moved they take a while to settle down. My girls were doing very nervous horrible smelling poos for the first week or so, then they began to settle down and it's much easier from then on!

 

It gets better!!

[smithy36]

agree!!! first week i did wonder if i had made a mistake - they stank!!! Yellow poo and smell.... but they settled down.

 

I use garlic powder - i mix in it with the bag of pellets as i tip in the bin. Probably about 2tsp per grub full. There is very little smell now.

[quickcluck]

About a teaspoon per grub or you may end up with garlicky eggs!!!! I'm assuming that your girls are not laying as yet. This is why they are not eating much yet. When they begin to lay their appetites go up BIG time

 

If the poo is also a tad on the runny side you can add some bokashi bran which firms it up much better for when you are cleaning!

[Egluntyne]

Bokashi bran is also useful for smelly poos. It contains beneficial bacteria so is good for the hens, and helps firm the poos up too. Available in the Omlet shop.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I add bokashi and garlic to a big box I keep the pellets in (and I do reuse uneaten pellets the next day!). Not very scientific amounts, just a few big scoops of each! I also add a few drops of citronella to the paper in the poo tray after a clean out and sprinkle red mite powder in the nestbox which smells lovely .

 

We're sweet smelling here (well, almost!).

 

(For future reference, Stalosan F and garden lime help to keep pongs down if you find your run is getting whiffy!)

[sgregson]

Thanks very much for the advice

 

I've got both the garlic powder and bokashi bran and I've put some in their food tonight so hopefully no more pong

 

Sal