Solitary chicken - need advice

[tara]

Got my name down for bantams l think there pekin bantams.What do you keep them on as ive been reading bits were you cant keep them on dirt because of there feathers.Was going to put them in my eglu run but feeling a bit unsure now.

[foreveryoung]

Not sure on that one, I cant see why you cant keep them on dirt!?! thats what they would be if they were wild birds, unless in the wild thet have paving slabs lol

 

Im sure someone will be along soon with some awswers

 

xx

[Patricia W]

Its probably because they are feathery and low to the ground. But if you cover the run you should be fine. Mud is the enemy.

 

I have 3 Polish bantams in an eglu on soil ( covered with woodchip) and they are fine, but it is now covered with clear plastic from Wickes. They free range all day so not in their run long though.

[jennybrom]

Hi Tara,

 

I've got two pekins, part of my run is on slabs and part on soil and then covered with woodchip and they are fine with that. I was told you can wash their feet by standing them in a bucket of warm water, although you need a deep bucket as when I tried it with mine they managed to escape quite easily! They do dig a bit more than advertised but definitely not as much as my hybrids! You'll love them, they're adorable, Mini was really timid at first and, although she's still not keen on being held, she'll jump on my knee now in case I've got birdseed for her The eggs are good too!

 

jen

[The Dogmother]

I have all sorts of miniatures and bantams, they are kept on Aubiose. If you're keeping feather-legged hens for showing then the advice is to keep them on deep litter to avoid getting their leg and foot feathers dirty.

 

Mine free range, so they get dirty anyway.

[Jules.]

My "Daz white" silkie is no longer "Daz white"

now she is kept outside ( on dirt, but in a covered eglu run).

She also free ranges most days