Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 I have allowed my girls limited visiting rights to my new lawn to see if the extra greens helps them to stop laying softies/soft shells. After 5 minutes of frantic pecking at the lush green grass, they all headed to the flowerbeds (the bit that they can't get at from the other side because of the Omlet netting) and proceeded to dig and kick all the earth onto the lawn . Just shows that grass isn't all it's cracked up to be . They were quickly shooed back into their run . I may allow them out again but only if they behave . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 If I want to keep them off the flowers, I use the guinea pig run. Have you still got your eglu run? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 18, 2009 Author Share Posted May 18, 2009 I have, Lewis, but it's being used as a cover for my raised beds . There's nothing in the flower beds I'm bothered about, it was just so funny how they had all that lovely grass to munch but headed straight for the borders that they're allowed in anyway . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 I have, Lewis, but it's being used as a cover for my raised beds . Ooh, me too! We've got pigeons and cats that love to dig up the raised beds!! Alternative uses for the Eglu run eh?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 And there was me thinking that their search and destroy mission accomplished in the WIR that I was denying them the grass is greener syndrome !! So they are not always interested in the greener stuff(mind you mr fox was at the run about 2 hours ago so they probably not so keen to escape through the door now)..useless spaniel did go in the right direction for the chase and not his usual go in the other direction! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Thats a slippery slope ANH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 I have, Lewis, but it's being used as a cover for my raised beds . Ooh, me too! We've got pigeons and cats that love to dig up the raised beds!! Alternative uses for the Eglu run eh?! I remember now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 My grass is just growing back now so I think you're being very brave letting your girls go on the grass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 19, 2009 Author Share Posted May 19, 2009 When I say I let them on the grass, they've been getting about 3 minutes a day as they will insist on pooping or kicking the flowerbed contents back onto the lawn . They're not getting on now as I've put some grass seed down in the bare patches . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 We let our chooks out onto the lawn everyday. They rush for the beds first as the bird feeders are there and they want to get to the spillage. After a while, they trot out onto the lawn and help keepthe grass short. Yes they poop, but if we're going to spend anytime in the garden then OH runs over it with the lawnmower which picks up any stray poop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgregson Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 There's nothing in the flower beds I'm bothered about, it was just so funny how they had all that lovely grass to munch but headed straight for the borders that they're allowed in anyway . That's exactly what our hens do - they peck at the grass for a couple of mins then they're in the flower borders scratching and sending the soil flying all over the place - my poor plants! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 My eggsperiment was to refrain from giving treats to all to see if the one who was laying softees would lay - they have daily about 15 hours access to the grass - and yes the first port of call is under the bird feeders every day and then the grass and flower beds which are so full now with growth that they cannot really put the soil all over. They all laid yesterday with madam softee laying a white rough coated shelled egg for the first time in ages - I rewarded them with some burgen bread toast left overs with some sweetcorn and a little potato left overs all mushed up and to-day not an egg - told them tonight not a s"Ooops, word censored!" more till they start to behave themselves I thought they were eating loads more food and was pleased till hubby took a video of the thieves = a blackbird and two babies - he was going to the grub and getting food and pushing the pellets down the babies throats - they are growing big - on my pellets - I dont mind as I love the babies. s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I thought they were eating loads more food and was pleased till hubby took a video of the thieves = a blackbird and two babies - he was going to the grub and getting food and pushing the pellets down the babies throats - they are growing big - on my pellets - I dont mind as I love the babies. s much sweeter than rats!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 re softies The softies have stopped for me now, I assume it was all to do with being new chickens coming into lay. I had one of them doing softies for a couple of weeks and still not sure who it was? But I did cut out the green treats and less corn so they really only got the pellets and extra grit..but it may be fluke that the softies stopped & nothing to do with diet?? I have no idea at all ! indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 31, 2009 Author Share Posted May 31, 2009 I'm still getting softies from Milly - still don't know why . The other two are laying hard eggs again. I've stopped the limestone flour (bit worried that I'd overdose them) and they're really only getting pellets and very occasional corn. I'll just have to sit it out . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 ANH I have the same problem but only with one hen and laterly have had 2 eggs with shells but they are so so brittle - I do think she may be having a mini moult but I am fed up of her in and out of the eglu nest box as yesterday I had a job to get her out so I could move the eglu and run and clean the soil and put down stalosan - they have ex batts mash and pellets and not much else at the moment as not sure if I was overdoing the treats but the other two are laying everyday so .........................??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 31, 2009 Author Share Posted May 31, 2009 I think it must be the mini-moult that's doing it then . I've found a few of Milly's feathers round and about and none of the other two's. None of mine have ever moulted before so I've no experience of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMWARDFARM Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 When I let mine out the WIR, they have a little peck at the grass and then head for the borders which are mainly shrubs with bark chippings and they just have a good scratch at that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
