murphyladywood Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 HI, I got our first chooks on Monday - 3 Lohmanns for laying and they are quite lovely and mesmerising to watch. We've already had 4 eggs and they are in the laying area of the as we speak. We have the cube and a run with extension on our lawn and we're prepared for the grass destruction. When they first arrived they were doing quite large black/white poos which I assume is normal. This morning there are some piles of runny pale brown stuff and the run is quite whiffy. My daughter has taken to climbing in the run and sitting with the chooks but it's a bit off putting with these poos in it. At the weekend we are taking delivery of a portable run so that we can move them around the garden easier and have the kids in beside them. Have we given them one to many treats (plain pasta, cucumber, bread) or are they adjusting to a different environment? Any advice on the whiff would be appreciated too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 Hens often get the runs after a move and you are right it could be just them settling into thier new life. However treats could be the cause too. I would keep them on pellets and water only for the next few days to "firm" them up a bit. Also there are things you can add to their pellets/mash to assist in the reduction of whiffyness. Garlic powder (from horsey type shops) can help with the smell as can bokashi bran Throwing garden lime and Stalsan F about every so often helps with the whiff and kills nasties too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidsin Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 (edited) Mine don't smell! Mind you they are pekins and teeny-tiny, with teeny-tiny piles of poo. I give them the garlic powder and bokashi in their feed and I don't know how much of a difference it makes as I've nothing to compare it to, but I've been pleasantly surprised by the lack of whiffy-ness - I was anticipating worse! Obviously now I've spoken too soon, particularly as I am getting another one/two pekins on Saturday. They will no doubt be both stinky and shrieky Edited May 5, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 I always think that new/other hens smell odd until they get going on 'my feed'. Bokashi (as Em has suggested) is great, as is garlic and mint.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelbel Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 This morning there are some piles of runny pale brown stuff and the run is quite whiffy. They are what are known as curry poos (for obvious reasons) and happen about every one in ten poos and is perfrectly normal. There is a poo post somewhere which describes all the types in all their glory. Seek it out or I am sure someone will pop the link on here shortly. I don't give my girls anything to stop their poos smelling - assuming you do the hen housework from time to time the smells go not long after they're produced. Sorry if I put anyone off their breakfast/coffee break/lunch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murphyladywood Posted May 5, 2010 Author Share Posted May 5, 2010 Thanks for the quick replies. Nice to know you are all there Will try it all out and lay off the treats although already they are clucking around right up to the door when I'm coming - true cupboard love Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 Don`t let them weaken you! Stay strong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 Here's a pictures of poo thread from another forum P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Sorry to bring this up - but posted a thread on flies (Christian put it in pets dept-which made me laugh) where can I purchase lime and Stalsan F -would Wyevale stock it and can I put in run and will it harm chucks or cats and where do I buy the garlic powder. I know I am drivng everyone mad with queries but am a new chicken mom - thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 You can get garden lime from any garden centre or DIY shed. Stalosan or Bio Dri can be bought from most feed merchants; a quick google will tell you the nearest to you. I have used both and they seem equally effective. The new NetTex ground sanitising powder does the work of both though, and is supposed to kill worm eggs to boot. I use the Naturals Garlic and Mint now as I find that the chooks prefer it... so does the dog! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Horsey shops sell garlic powder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murphyladywood Posted May 7, 2010 Author Share Posted May 7, 2010 Here's a pictures of poo thread from another forum P mmmmm.... nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidsin Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 I currently reek of garlic powder! I'm not entirely sure why either. Weird. (Note to self: wash more often. ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
