Luvachicken Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 My girls like eating the straw that pokes through the nest box. They pull it down through the hole and then eat it? Is it ok for them to do this or are they really really hungry ? Some of the bits do seem quite long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 It's probably better if they don't tbh. Long strands of anything eaten can cause an impacted crop. A lot of people use a horse bedding such as Hemcore in their nest boxes as the strands are really short. It's just chickeny behaviour to peck and try to eat everything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 Forgive me for being dense but is hemcore sawdust stuff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 It's much co"Ooops, word censored!"r than sawdust - more like little woody chips. Easibed and Aubiose are other horse beddings which are good too . You can see it here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 doesn't it all fall out of the hole? I suppose it doesn't matter if they eat it anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 I looked at your pic - do you have to water it or do they water it because they use so much more for a horse ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 No, you don't water it. In fact you want to keep it as dry as possible. Some does fall through the hole, but it's quite chunky so not too much. Mine don't eat it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 Thanks - I'll pop to the farm tomorrow and see what I can get hold of - I wouldn't want my babies to get sick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Bit here re nest box slot: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=45088&view=unread#unread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 Thanks for that - I'll recycle a milk bottle asap with some bolts and put the hemcore on top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Just reading this thread and thought the milk bottle idea was great but can i ask if there is a problem lining the floor with newspaper because thats what i've been doing and would be devastated if i have been doing something wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 No problem with that at all. My girls just shread newspaper with their feet so I seal the hole up with parcel tape and then remove it to clean. I guess we've all found ways to stop everything falling down the drainage hole! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 I've stopped putting anything over the hole. Some of the Aubiose does trickle through, but it seem to stay fluffier and less compacted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 My trick only works if you have an eglu on a table but I'll share it anyway . I have a very small square of lino which I position under the hole. Easy job to slide the lino out and chuck contents in compost bin (or floor of WIR!) . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Phew, thats a relief, i was worried then as everyone seemed to be using everything but newspaper. As my little angels dont mess with the newspaper I'll stick with it then as it does make cleaning very easy. Thanks for putting me mind at rest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...