a question about feeding different foods to hens

[Gallina]

It;s only the end of the bars that would need sealing: that is where the beasts lurk, deep inside the wood where you can hardly see them. I have suggested sealing these ends elsewhere on this forum. You could of course do it yourself with varnish.

 

I have found a simpler and more effective solution, however: I have packed Diatom into these ends, rubbing it in like Polyfilla, and I haven't seen a live mite since. If you simply wipe the bars clean, the Diatom stays put in the edges and it does not have to be replaced.

 

Omlet does sell replacement bars: see here for Mark 1 Eglus and here for Mark 2.

 

(Note to Omlet: the text for the Mark 2 Eglu is quite wrong, as it states that the Mark 2 replacement bars are only suitable for Mark 1 Eglus!)

[Nicola H]

Steph after you suggested rubbing in the Diatom I have done the same and like you say it stays put and I haven't seen any more mites either..................... So thanks for that.

[The Dogmother]

I ought to rub Diatom into the ends of the bars, but just end up sprinkling it along the ledges that the bars push into. Incidentally, the front bars on my mark 2 Eglu don't fit in very well - anyone else find this?

[Sheilaz]

Well, I've found some of my mark 1 bars really hard to move, but guess that's the nature of wooden ones Had to get a man to help

However, I do totally agree what a really handy tip Steph gave us; it was only when I actually rubbed Diatom (like Polyfilla, what a great description) on all the ends & rough bits, that the mites really did disappear. Its so easy just to keep the bars like this to avoid mites. Thanks Gallina!

[Lesley]

Re plastic perches - the new plastic ark we have bought for our 'other' chickens has plastic perches and the chickens find them slippy . We've taken the plastic straight out and put a piece of wooden trellis in instead.

 

The wooden ones - especially with an application of Diatom - are much nicer for the chickens.

[The Dogmother]

That's interesting, is this for the 'brown jobs'?

[chocchick]

Yes, Jenny's a nest sleeper too! Bit of a nuisance as the nest is full of poo in the mornings !

 

Yep, no eggs just poo. I think they stand on the bars but hang their bum over it.

They also roost on the metal bars under the barbeque during the day.

 

Incidently the bars look just like our bath mat from Ikea!

[buffie]

Mine too!! Think I'm going to have to get another bag of straw soon..... I have to change it every day now!!!

 

A little tip for those who, like me, have a nest sleeper. I put a folded sheet or two of newspaper in the nest and in the morning poop comes out on paper and I change it again. No messy nest box now and harrie seems to find it quite snuggly.

 

BBx

[The Dogmother]

I might try that BB, I have a nest sleeper too, and it's always full if poo in the morning! Do you put the paper on top of the straw?

[PurpleHen]

Why didn't I think of that

Excellent idea - but I have the same question about the straw....

 

I love this forum - makes things so much easier....

[Mel (& Paul)]

But totally addictive so you will get nothing else done.........

[myles]

we also have nest sleepers all four try to pile on.re wooden roosting bars if they liked the feel of the wood so much why are they all on the nest,:making it all pooey

 

also forum addict,pop on for quick look 2 hour later hoover still sat there and washing still in the machine

[The Dogmother]

me too Myles, I am supposed to be doing some really tedious maintenance to our database, and I can't really summon up the interest.

[Louise]

I can't remember what exactly I am meant to be doing toda

[The Dogmother]

Never mind Lousie, it's POETS day, go home early

 

As if!

[Louise]

We have flexi time so technically since I have 7.5 hours on the clock I can go home now

 

7.5 hours clocked up browsing the forum though

[myles]

we're all just as bad as each other

[Mel (& Paul)]

[Homer & Marge]

Incidentally, the front bars on my mark 2 Eglu don't fit in very well - anyone else find this?

 

Hiya Claret

 

We found too that the bars leading in to the Eglu were ill-fitting. Poor shame Omlet, poor shame..! Time to iron out that kink

[Lesley-Jean]

Mine have always fitted fine

[PurpleHen]

Mine have always fitted fine

 

Same here

[The Dogmother]

They do go in, just need a bit of persuasion