Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[Bramble]

Hi everyone, have just registered for the forum, so thought I'd drop in and say hello to you all!

I collected my new Eglu yesterday and put it all together (in the rain!) and am collecting three ex-batteries on Sunday. I'm REALLY excited but also very nervous, I so want everything to go well for them, but I'm worried I'll get it all wrong at the expense of my new friends. Oh well, I can only try, I guess - any tips anyone?

Thanks and look forward to chatting to you all!

Bramble

[jlo]

Hello and welcome

 

The best tip would be to keep coming on here and having a look through the different stickies and things to get tips and advice. There are some really experienced people and always someone around to help.

[HappyhenSG]

Hi Bramble, welcome to the forum. Congrats on deciding to get ex bats! I have 5 and they are fantastic! It's great to see them when they first come home and start to scratch around, just like chickens should! I was nervous when I got mine too - they were the first hens I'd ever had, but they settled in really well. They were also in fairly good condition to start with, missing only a few feathers, so that helped.

 

I feed mine Allen and Page Ex-Bat pellets (started with crumbs when they first arrived), and they get lots of treats - grapes, sweetcorn and dried mealworms are their absolute favourites! They also like broccoli, melon, porridge (made with water) when its cold and the occasional jam sandwich!

 

Be warned - they are addictive and will take up all your spare time

[docsquid]

Be warned - they are addictive and will take up all your spare time

 

Welcome, Bramble. I agree with Happyhen! Yes, they are addictive, and you will soon be hooked.

[Bramble]

Thanks everyone, what a lovely welcome! I'm only getting three ex-bats, would probably only have started with two, but three is the minimum number (I think in case one doesn't make it). Views seem to differ on what my chances of keeping them are likely to be, BHWT say most will make it, but others seem to think I should expect to lose at least one (I am DETERMINED not to get attached to them, but I know that won't work!!!) I'm a first timer too so the girls and I will have a lot of learning to do together! I've got some of the ex-bat crumbs in readiness, and some grit, I'm going to put Life guard in a bottle for them to peck out (I mean the tonic stuff, NOT a real life guard!!) and think I'll probably hang up a piece of brocoli or a corn cob for them to peck at, they'll also have access to plenty of "normal" water.

Just one really dim question - there's nowhere to put water for them at night in their eglu, is that right? I would have thought they'd need access to water at all times?

Thanks guys!

Bramble

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Hi Bramble and welcome to the forum . I'm just going to pop your post into "Chickens" so it's in amongst chickeny questions .

 

Congratulations on getting ex-batts . I'm sure you'll really enjoy watching their recovery under your TLC. They don't need access to food or water at night so you don't need to worry about that .

 

(If I were you, I'd keep the real lifeguard for yourself .)

[Bertrum]

The best advice I can give you as a new keeper myself is this:

 

DON'T PANIC!!!!!

 

My wife and I went completely to pot, and got scared of every little thing and were regretting getting the hens at all. Two weeks on though and if anyone suggested taking them away they would get run out of town. Our hens are ace and we ain't giving them up for anyone.

We panicked, got worried, had a horrid few days, but came through and are now very happy with our new friends in the Eglu. Try to be chilled at all times and avoid the heartache.

[Roobaloo]

The best advice I can give you as a new keeper myself is this:

 

DON'T PANIC!!!!!

 

My wife and I went completely to pot, and got scared of every little thing and were regretting getting the hens at all. Two weeks on though and if anyone suggested taking them away they would get run out of town. Our hens are ace and we ain't giving them up for anyone.

We panicked, got worried, had a horrid few days, but came through and are now very happy with our new friends in the Eglu. Try to be chilled at all times and avoid the heartache.

 

Brilliant advice!!!

 

I did the same...I was so worried about everything and wished I'd never done it!! But now, I adore them and wouldn't be without them!!

 

...and as everyone will tell you, they're addictive. I got my first pair in April and I'm already dreaming of having a bigger run and more chooks!!

[Bramble]

Oh wow, thanks guys! You're completely right about the lifeguard, why didn't i think of that!!!!!!?

Sorry I posted in the wrong section (suspect that won't be the only dim mistake I make in my henkeeping career!)

I'll try not to worry, tho I'm already stressing about the box to bring my hens home in - a box for two chucks wouldn't be too difficult, but for 3 (apparently they all have to stay together) boxes are all too big or too small but better too big than having to fold the chucks up to squash them into a smaller one!!

I've booked a day off work on Monday so I can stay at home with them just to keep an eye on them, sad or what!