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

[lollyfry]

We have had our 4 ex-batts since sat (best 5 days ever and 8 eggs already - although not sure who is laying what at the moment!) and everyone seems to be settliing in well - although they have very scruffy feathers they appear strong and alert (not as weedy as we we lead to believe they might be!! ). We started a 7 day course of flubenvet on monday and also have started with apple cidar vinegar in their water.....

 

Now, reading all the fab post on here I hear about Life guard, poultry spice, cod liver oil.....There is so much! Can it (or should it?) all be used together?? Could we end up over-dosing our new arrivals??

 

We are very anxious that with the cold weather drawing in that we want the girls to have the best chance of getting some warm new feathers as quick as possible so what would be the best to give them??

 

Thanks!

[CluckyBucks]

Hello

 

Im not sure about all the potions and lotions mixed together because i only use citricidal and diatom powder.

 

For the feathers you could try:

Mixing chick crumb into their pellets.

Giving them an occasional treat of tuna.

 

Its about protein really

 

Good luck with your girls

 

xx xx

[Egluntyne]

I wouldn't over bombard them with supplements tbh.

 

I swap and change every now and then. I tend to give them ACV in their water for 3 weeks out of 4 and then Lifeguard for the other week. In the winter I give them the Lifeguard for longer, or if they are moulting.

 

If I think they need a bit of extra calcium, I add cod liver oil and limestone flour to their pellets for a week or two only, until I see an improvement.

[greenfreek]

While you're waiting for the feathers to grow.. you could make them one of these each to keep them warm

[The Dogmother]

I do the same as Egluntine, and have recently taken to adding Alfalfa powder to their feed as they are moulting and it contains loads of protein and other goodies. I don't give more than two supplements at any time though and swap them around..

[Chiccadees3]

My 3 exbatts love dried mealworms - protein for their feather growth. Also we use Smallholder range exbatt crumbs to give them a good start. You can also get it in pellets. It has extras in it to help their bodies adjust as a lot of the calcium they take in will be going back into their bones as they will be using them more now. I now mix it in with their regular mash. I also use ACV in their water.

 

Have fun with them

[Egluntyne]

I wouldn't bother with the jumpers tbh. They get filthy and make it hard for the bird to preen itself. The BHWT don't advocate their use.

[lollyfry]

Yeah, i'm not sure my OH would be too keen on the jumpers!

 

Think we will get some lifeguard to swap in with the ACV....although I'm sure I read a thread on here a month or so ago about lifeguard used with the Page & Allen Smallholder Ex-Batt mash (which our girls are currently on) causing problems in the toilet department - not sure if there are any more thoughts on this??

 

Thanks for all the advice - will also try the tuna for extra protein and see how we go!

[The Dogmother]

I have used the BHWT crumbs on my girls and found that on their own, we have soft-shelled eggs. I have now cut it with my regular Smallholders pellets and they are getting the benefits, but no soft eggs.

 

I 'dilute' them roughly 1:4, BHWT:Smallholder

[beulah59]

Yes, we're cutting the ex-batt mash in with Farmgate mash, 1:4 ... a couple of thin shells, but nothing worse as yet!