Lorax Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 We went to the Hen House today to pick up our chickens! Stephen had reserved me a Bluebelle as I've always wanted one. She was the last one and bless him he has kept her for a week for me! She is beautiful, big and bossy...I let the children pick theirs and we've got a Golden Ranger (Calder-ranger?) and a Speckeldy. My husband was swayed by blue eggs and went for a Columbine. Any experiences anyone can share about the different breeds most appreciated. I've read Columbines can be very nervy? Certainly so far the Golden Ranger seems the smartest! Was really happy with the Hen House. All the chickens seems extremely healthy and kept in very good conditions indeed. I've put some shredded paper in the nesting bit. Is this right or will I have to get hay? I'd like to use shredded if possible as I have a lot of it. Some of it is falling down the slot though. My Bluebelle went straight into the nesting bit. So we keep them in the Cube run for five days is that right? I have some netting, can I let them out into that? Yikes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 Shredded cross cut paper is excellent stuff. It's what I use. I line the cube nest box with a few sheets of newspaper over the hole, to stop it falling out. Just watch your cube doesn't leak in ..in bad weather! Omlet did supply me with a foamy gadget to prevent this. Don't use hay, as it contains spores which could be harmful to your chickens. It can also be high in dust which can cause respiratory problems. I used to use straw, but red mite can burrow into the hollow stems of straw. Shredded paper sometimes gets stuck on the eggs, but is easy to pull off. Lidl leaflets make lovely coloured bedding! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorax Posted September 24, 2010 Author Share Posted September 24, 2010 Shredded cross cut paper is excellent stuff. Really glad to hear that Craftyhunnypie, as that's what I've got. And it's so good to have a use for it. I did put it on the compost before but it wasn't the same!! Also great tip about putting a sheet of newspaper down. Why didn't I think of that? Doh. Just watch your cube doesn't leak in ..in bad weather! Oh dear, leak where exactly? Shouldn't it NOT leak at that price?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue-DiamondChick07 Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 Shredded cross cut paper is excellent stuff. Oh dear, leak where exactly? Shouldn't it NOT leak at that price?? They have gone up haven't they? I definatley won't be able to get one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorax Posted September 24, 2010 Author Share Posted September 24, 2010 Yes. We got one before the increase, but even then they were a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue-DiamondChick07 Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 Yes. We got one before the increase, but even then they were a lot! A friend of mine got red mite in hers. She wasn't happy I'd love a cube, but hey. Not now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorax Posted September 24, 2010 Author Share Posted September 24, 2010 NO. That isn't supposed to be possible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue-DiamondChick07 Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 NO. That isn't supposed to be possible! I know, thats what I thought, but I saw it with my own eyes, she borrowed some of my poultry shield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorax Posted September 24, 2010 Author Share Posted September 24, 2010 Hmmm. One more thing for me to worry about. Where do red mites COME from? I mean do they just appear, do they come on contaminated hay/straw/other birds? I must know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 To be fair - and as per my understanding (I am nothing to do with Omlet!!) - the plastic (cube, eglu or any other plastic design) won't automatically prevent Redmite - it just makes it a lot easier to get rid of it. Basic simple precautions should still be taken - using Poultry shield or Red Mite powder or any other product and checking the coop and birds for any signs of mites or lice. From what I read before I got our Eglu, the worst case scenario with a wooden coop with felt roof, is having to burn the whole lot if you get an infestation of red mite. With a plastic coop, you just need to keep it scrubbed using the products above. (I am not against wooden coops in any way - I think some are gorgeous! - and people have happily kept chooks in them for hundreds of years!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figarogir1 Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 My cube doesn't leak, I think it is just a problem with a few of them so hopefully you will be fine You are less likely to get red mite in a plastic coup as there are fewer hiding places for them than in a wooden coup but that doesn't mean that you can't get them. I use red mite powder and poultry shield every week when I clean the cube and dust the girls once every month with diatom. If you do get red mite in a cube you can jet wash it and spray it easily so hopefully they should be easier to get rid of. Now stop worrying and enjoy your girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
