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

[lou-lou]

Hi, Just got back from holiday and my Daughter has picked up my 4 Bantams at the weekend for me and set up my Eglu for my return. ( first time Bantam owner ) They are 12 weeks old and I have a couple of questions if anybody has the time to help. The lady she got them from says they need to be wormed, is there any difference in the procedure for Bantams as opposed to Chickens? How do I worm them and how much do I give them?

Do they need grit at this age?

I am feeding them on Growers, should they have treats?

Been reading this forum for some time and trying to take in as much info as possible but now they are here it is all a bit daunting, maybe just jet lag but any help would be greatly appreciated..

Kind regards

Lou-Lou

[Egluntyne]

Same as with ordinary chickens....add the Flubenvet to the feed and they will take the right dose according to their age and weight.

[Redwing]

I give my bantams 'growers grit' as its a bit smaller, if you give them normal grit you need to use the stuff without oyster shell so just pure flint grit is needed

 

Yes they can have treats - veggies etc are fine, if you give them corn they will def need the grit

[lou-lou]

Hi

Thank you for your reply.Redwing could you please tell where i could get this from?

many thanks lou-lou

[Redwing]

I dont see it about a great deal, I get mine from Thornes in Letchworth but you can probably get hold of it on the net, it would costs a bit for postage but lasts ages

 

If you live in a chicken savvy area it might be worth phoning around the chook equipment suppliers

 

If you cant get it just use plain flint grit - this can be found most chickeney places - I think the most common brand is 'Jondo'

[lou-lou]

Hi

Thanks for your replies. I went to my local pet supplies and told them the problem I am having finding suitable flint. She ordered the smallest amount I could buy (10kgs) of flint grit from Copdock mill. But the individual size of the grit seems rather large for young small bantems. I would guess these measure about 5mm in diameter roughly. They seem more like chippings than grit.

Does anybody know if they eat chippings or do they have to be fine grit.

These look more like stones that you would find in a goldfish bowl.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

Regards

Lou lou

[Jools]

Pet shops often stock small bags of grit for cage birds so that might be worth a try for them while they're so young.

 

Feeding grit to birds who don't have access to it naturally is a good idea, but if they're ONLY eat commercial food they don't strictly need it. That said, I always make sure mine have access.

[The Dogmother]

Try them on budgie grit - it's too small for grown bantams, but fine for littlies.

 

To be honest, my chicks have always freeranged and never needed extra grit.