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

[chick wiggle]

Hopefully you'll be able to help,

first, the chicks are 12wks old, I'm getting an eglu for them, should I leave the roosting bars in or take them out?

I use easibed in the houses, should I put straw in to keep them a bit warmer with winter coming?

And is it ok or too soon to put garlic powder in their food?

Lastly, but more importantly, my little silkie is sneezing, she looks absolutely fine except for this, I give them mash with poultry spice in, is there anything else I could do for her?

Thanks

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Sandie I think the recommended age to put the bars in is 12 weeks, though I haven't done so yet with my baby Pekins as they all snuggle up in the nestbox together, and look soooooooooooo sweet , I put the long roosting bar in for the Bufflings/Lt Sussex as they are 12 weeks......... I was muddled with their age & thought they were 12wks last Thursday, but it's this week actually, so they were just a few days early They seem to be quite happy sitting on the bars at night when I peek in though

 

I put a pinch of garlic powder in everyone's tea last night, babies included........they looked at it as though I'd planted some kind of poison in the bowls, but devoured it anyway, so it can't be that bad!!

 

I use hemcore, I put it in quite thickly so they can snuggle into it if they want to, or stay on top if needs be, I don't particularly like straw as it's a beggar to remove poos from without a complete changeover, but that's just me

 

Have you got any citricidal, that's supposed to be very good for sneezes....*note to self, must get some asap!*, maybe lifeguard or any of the tonics would be a good start, keep an eye on her though as it may spread through the flock......not had a sneezer yet, so can't speak from experience......thankfully

 

I'm sure somebody more experienced will tootle along soon...........

 

Sha x

[Egluntyne]

I would try the bars, but pack them underneath with Aubiose at first , to get them used to things. I am not a lover of straw in the Eglu. It looks pretty, but is cold, claggy and doesn't absorb well.

 

Straw can also be a cause of crop impaction if they have a mind to eat it.

[chick wiggle]

Ok, so bars in but packed underneath with bedding, no straw, garlic powders ok and get some citricidal or lifeguard.

Knew I could rely on you lot, thanks x

[Jools]

The issue with perching at too young an age is that their breast bone is still slightly soft, which means that if it rests on a perch or roosting bar, it can cause an indentation which can lead to problems later. I think the recommendation is 16 weeks before you allow them to perch, but I'd have to double check that later to be sure.

[chick wiggle]

Where do you buy your citricidal from? Immediate delivery is more important than cheaper cost if you know what I mean, I have tried my animal feed store and they dont sell it and i want it as soon as possible, thanks

[Chicken Shirl]

Just as a point of interest. My Princessa and Tufty took their chicks to roost in a tree at 7 weeks. They just flew up behind them and the hens put their wings out to protect them. It was one of the sweetest things I have ever seen. Sorry no pictures, but next year when they go broody and hatch chicks I will be snapping away like mad.

 

I buy Citrocidal from Omlet.

[chick wiggle]

Awww, that sounds so sweet DONT forget your camera next year cant wait to see THOSE piccies