PeckyBeak Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 And what else can I put in their mash to make it more exciting?! All ideas welcomed. Merlotti x I add a handfull of cooked peas and sweetcorn nibs, I buy a bag of the supermarkets 'value' packs. Sometimes I add some chopped left-over cooked cauli, carrots etc. A few mealworms on top and they think they have a banquet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggie232 Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Having read all your comments, I thought I'd give the mash (pellets and hot water) a try with my girls this evening. Oh my goodness....it was a feeding frenzy the likes of which I have never seen before!!! They absolutely LOVED IT! I think I'll give them some at breakfast time too as it's so cold at the moment. Might try adding a sprinkle of poultry spice as an extra treat! Really pleased I tried it, thanks for the advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy-Deb Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 I have just bought some pellets into the house tonight to make some for my girls tomorrow morning too. I like the idea to add a pinch of poulty spice...give it a bit of flavour. At least doing this they are getting the 'proper' food just dished up differently. Will let you know how it goes tomorrow. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Sounds lovely - a pot of tea and some mugs too - mine had gone to bed tonight before I got in _ cant see OH make them a porridge, they will have to have spasmodically - more worried re elderly bun who is tucked up with snuggle safe and a sack for warmth. With the chooks and snuggle safe - will it fit under the roosting bars and suspect you take cover off otherwise it will be er pooey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggie232 Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Hehe! I love it how we're all doing/ thinking exactly the same things! These chickens don't know the lengths us hoomins go to to ensure their comfort and happiness! Alis girls- I'm thinking of doing exactly the same with my snuggle safe pads! I agree, taking the fleecey cover off is a good idea as chicken poo and fleecey fabric would be rather gruesome!!! I've started putting a thin layer of wood shavings in the dropping trays in the Cube. I think the snuggle pads will sit nicely underneath the roosting bars and warm the shavings through. I imagine the shavings will also insulate the pads to a degree and maybe keep them warmer for longer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 They really don't need any heaters or snugglesafes in the cube or eglu at night until the temperature gets below -8deg. The Omlet housing is double-shell insulated and the chickens keep themselves very warm indeed under their thick feathery duvets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve the Gas Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Too true - I've seen this with my own eyes, 2 birds (hen and roo) roosting up a tree in North Yorkshire - last winter with 3 ft of snow nearly everywhere.. ferel chooks eh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treekeeper Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 I buy a big bag of cheap porage and they get it every morning at 6.45AM before I set off for work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy-Deb Posted October 21, 2010 Author Share Posted October 21, 2010 Tried them with the warm pellet mash this morning with a bit of kale mixed in and the girls went nuts for it. .. but then again they do that for any food I present to them.... just made me feel better that they had had something nice and warming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Tried them with the warm pellet mash this morning with a bit of kale mixed in and the girls went nuts for it. .. but then again they do that for any food I present to them.... just made me feel better that they had had something nice and warming. Not suprised they love it, mine always have access to dry crumbs but go for porridge in preference whenever they get it. You'll be doing that every morning noe til spring (I will too )Daft, aren't we! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy-Deb Posted October 21, 2010 Author Share Posted October 21, 2010 I dont mind doing it for them.. I have to prepare a large box of veggies up for the pigs/rabbits so its just a slight addition. The most problem I have is juggling it all out the door and round to the back of the house...could do with a few extra arms especially when got water bottles too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted October 27, 2010 Share Posted October 27, 2010 For their morning mash, I mix up a bag of wiggly wigglers layers mash with poultry spice and some limestone flour. I store this in a big tub and just get ten scoops out each morning and mix it up with cod liver oil and hot water. They have been getting this over winter for the last three years and they love it. I also move mine onto a higher protein feed over winter to help them plump up after the moult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 27, 2010 Share Posted October 27, 2010 Mine move over onto growers in the winter for just that reason Janty, I also have them on the moulting rescue thing this year. They always have a wee bit of cod liver oil in their feed, but I give them a bit of extra corn to keep them warm on the colder nights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy-Deb Posted October 27, 2010 Author Share Posted October 27, 2010 Warm layer pellet mash is still a huge hit with my girls, they practically mug me for it now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
