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

[Early Bird]

Hi, I've had my ladies for almost a week now and am finding the whole chicken keeping experience enjoyable and interesting so far and my boys love our girls. OH will take a bit longer to win over I suspect.

 

I just have a couple of minor queries though. I have put in a large litter tray filled with play sand for their dust bath but they seem more interested in eating the sand rather than bathing in it. Is this normal? I'm not sure how often they're supposed to dustbath and am I using the right material for it?

 

Also, I'm not sure where to buy feed from. I got a bag from Omlet and the nice chap who set things up for me recommended a place in Claygate as being my nearest option. I have heard there are suppliers who sell the same kind that Omlet uses, so could anyone tell me if this place (Elm Farm Feeds) is one of them or is it relatively unimportant which brand use? I can buy organic layers pellets in our local Pets at Home branch. Advice on this will be particularly helpful thanks.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Glad to hear you're enjoying your new girls . (Love the name of your cube, btw . From the Worst Witch, if I remember rightly?)

 

It's pretty common for them to eat the sand, daft things . No need to worry about it. They'll just dustbathe when they fancy. Mine tend to do it when it's sunny and dry and just pick any old spot (I gave up on the "official" dustbath route!)

 

Re the feed, I get mine from a local horse supplies place. I'm sure Pets At Home pellets would be fine although may be more expensive. Just depends where the handiest place is for you!

[Early Bird]

Thanks ANH. The name is indeed from the Worst Witch, I just couldn't resist it

 

I'm guessing that although the weather has been (more or less) dry since they arrived, it hasn't been all that sunny so maybe they don't feel the need. I'll keep an eye on it and assume they'll do it when they feel like it.

 

Thanks for the advice about the feed. I was a bit concerned since I read somewhere that they can be finicky if you change their feed too much, but then I heard somewhere else that chickens will eat whatever's put in front of them. I have to say that so far mine appear to be of the finicky persuasion so fingers crossed.

[clucky h]

The Worst Witch!

 

Perhaps you could just buy a small bag from Pets at Home and see how you go with those?

[Early Bird]

Thanks clucky h, that would be a good idea since I know I can get it from there at least, then I can try and find the place at Claygate and see what they sell and compare price.

[henriette]

Hi Early Bird

Used to live near Claygate - got the train up London to work from Claygate station! Also used to go to the pub opposite the cricket pitch. Golly, that was 40 years ago! Oh now I really do feel old.

Sorry, this is no help to you about feed though!!

[Early Bird]

No worries henriette, nice to hear from you. We've only lived round here for 10 years, but I used to have family in the area. Always good to hear from people who were around way back when

[whoopsie]

I'm going for the Pets at Home stuff for my next ba of stuff - I thought of ordering more from Omlet but with the P&P it was FAR too expensive! Pets at home do big sacks of the stuff which seemed a reasonable price - though i have no storage for it at the moment so am going for the small bag first!

 

They are still organic layers pellets so I figure they shouldn't be too different if at all! Will post up how I get on.

 

Vickyx

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Add some of the new stuff in with the last few inches of the old stuff & they will (hopefully ) not notice the changeover....of course they are all contrary marys so they may well let you know they are displeased with unfamiliar rations

 

Sha x