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

[jennifer+simon]

Hello we are very new to all this, we are expecting our new arrivals on the 28th, we have read all the books, websites etc, but seem to get different results.

 

question 1- Layers mash and layers pellets, what is the actual difference, what should we use and why?!

question 2- Mixed grain? are we right to believe this is mainly for a treat in the evening?!

question 3- sand baths? should we get a litter tray and fill it with sand or topsoil?

question 4- should we stock up with any basic meds?

question 5- hay? straw? what should we use in the nest?

question 6- can i leave them in the run during the day when im at work and let them in the garden when i get home?! is that really fair on them?

 

thank you for your help...... ik now im a little obsessive but i want things to be just perfect for our girls when we get them.

[Redwing]

Hello we are very new to all this, we are expecting our new arrivals on the 28th, we have read all the books, websites etc, but seem to get different results.

 

question 1- Layers mash and layers pellets, what is the actual difference, what should we use and why?!

question 2- Mixed grain? are we right to believe this is mainly for a treat in the evening?!

question 3- sand baths? should we get a litter tray and fill it with sand or topsoil?

question 4- should we stock up with any basic meds?

question 5- hay? straw? what should we use in the nest?

question 6- can i leave them in the run during the day when im at work and let them in the garden when i get home?! is that really fair on them?

 

thank you for your help...... ik now im a little obsessive but i want things to be just perfect for our girls when we get them.

 

Hi and welcome

 

Question 1 - mash is the same stuff as pellets its just the powdery form. its messy but takes longer for the chooks to eat so is supposed to be very good for chickens kept in the run a lot - mine are in pretty much all the time and eat pellets though as I they would waste a lot of the mash

 

Question 2 - you are very correct, let them fill up before they get treats

 

Question 3 - A large litter tray or shallow tubtrug work well, a mix of sand and soil or just soil are ok

 

Question 4 - You will need a wormer (Flubenvet is very good) medium term but a good staple is purple spray which is good for wounds and also covers up any red bits if you get a hen that pecks another - you get purple spray (also called Gentian Violet spray) from horsey shops

 

Question 5 - definitely do not use hay. Straw, shredded paper or shavings are ok but the king of nest box materials is called Aubiose (also available from horsey shops)

 

Question 6 - It depends on the size of the run and no of chickens as to whether they would be happy but the theory of in all day and a bit of a free range in the evening is a sound one

 

[meezers]

question 1- Layers mash and layers pellets, what is the actual difference, what should we use and why?!

 

Layers mash is just pellets that have been ground up fine, layers pellets are what you want.

 

question 2- Mixed grain? are we right to believe this is mainly for a treat in the evening?!

 

Yep, also usefull for getting them tame and feeding from your hand , and for getting them back in their run after free reanging

 

question 3- sand baths? should we get a litter tray and fill it with sand or topsoil?

 

You can do this, most of us do, then we stand and watch the chooks dustbath everywhere but in their dustbath ! My australorp goes to sleep in hers !

 

question 4- should we stock up with any basic meds?

 

I bought poultry spice, apple cider vinegar and red mite powder. You may not need it, but it's nice to be prepared.

 

question 5- hay? straw? what should we use in the nest?

 

I use wood shavings, many on here use aubiose, you can also use shredded paper or straw. Hay is not recommended, it contains harmful spores.

 

 

question 6- can i leave them in the run during the day when im at work and let them in the garden when i get home?! is that really fair on them?

 

Yep,that's fine, they'll complain and make you feel guilty, but that's what chooks do - even if they had 100acres to play in 23hrs a day, they'd want to be out 24hrs

[jennifer+simon]

Thank you very much, you have put my mind to rest!

[girlsmum]

In answer to the question about the dustbath

 

I bought a cat litter tray to put in the run for my 3 girls. One walked up to it had a look then stood on the edge flipping all the soil out onto the grass.

 

I gave up at this point

 

Girlsmum

[chick wiggle]

We got an old tyre (absolutely free!) from the local tip. We filled it with compost and as you can see the girls all queue up for it. They love it. Good luck with your chickens and say goodbye to life as you know it because we all become totally obsessed with our little girlies. Enjoy them, they're fab