Wanted - Eglu Cube Mk1 Roosting Bars

[scarlettohara]

I've just dismantled and put my into the big girls WIR for the ex-batts so they are more protected. Perhaps they will all pile into the

[Shirl]

Poor Evie passed away today. She had always been quiet and I had put it down to her being shell shocked. But this morning she was very huddled so I seperated her from the other 2 (Elizabeth was brought indoors yesterday). A few hours later she died. I'd say it seemed sudden but in truth she never really looked particularly healthy because she was so quiet and not active. Obviously I feel bad for not keeping her indoors but they had all seemed so stressed when I originally brought them in. Sometimes whatever you do just doesn't seem to be right.

 

The other girls seem fine and we have some feather growth. Ours did have the heating on in the loo but I've turned it off so that it isn't too much of a shock when they get outside again.

[Tweety]

Poor little Evie, I'm so sorry to hear your sad news. You couldn't have done any more to help her. Sometimes it is impossible to save these girls, but it is always worth trying. I hope that the others will flourish with your TLC.

[scarlettohara]

RIP Evie

[Patricia W]

I'm so sorry. We lost Maisie this week too. I think the extreme cold is just too much for those with stressed immune systems. But comfort yourself that she died in freedom. It's only the minority that do.

 

Tricia

[skye]

So sorry to read this. Don't feel bad. You have done so much for those girls, but sometimes they aren't strong enough. Look at the amazing recovery Emily made, thanks to you.

 

RIP Evie.

 

Skye x

[Gertie]

So sorry to hear about Evie, at least you gave her a chance. Great news that Emily is feeling better though.

 

 

Did you try the Nutri drops. I tried them on Plucky and after that, she ate masses of corn and mealworms before bedtime.

[Shirl]

I could only get rescue remedy. They are both eating well and Evie had been too yesterday. I can't believe how much they eat considering they aren't laying. I've been leaving the light on a little later (only until about 17.30) so they eat more. I figured the more they eat the faster they'll build themselves up and be fit to go outside.

[Gertie]

Glad they are eating well. They seem to eat all day long. Mine are still laying every day which had shocked me.

Did you choose the hens you have? Mine were picked for me.

 

I really hope they continue to do well.

 

Best wishes

[beach chick]

sorry to hear about Evie - but you did everything you could for her. onwards and upwards eh?

[Shirl]

I didn't choose them but they said they'd choose 3 small hens to save me having to walk back to the car to get the other carrier. So I got 3 very small featherless hens. Mine haven't laid at all but as I've mentioned before given their condition I'm not surprised.

[Gertie]

No, not surprised at all that they are not laying in their condition. Apart from Plucky who is poorly feathered, my other two only have large bald patches. Im amazed but Plucky has large areas of dark grey quills on her neck & back where lots of new feathers are growing.

 

All the best with their rehabilitation. Hope the rescue remedy helps too.

[Trougher]

I have been reading this post with interest and sadness. Its the situation I wanted to avoid when I adopted ex-batts, I was terrified they would be featherless and poorly, the weather would be too cold and they wouldn't do well. Not that I wouldn't be prepared to do whatever it took to look after them, but I think it would be too emotionally difficult. As I get older I find I'm geting really sentimental. I'm really sorry to hear about Evie, and just hope to hear that the others get through the winter.

[Dolly]

Those poor girls, how can anyone do this to these lovely creatures . So glad you've rescued them and they'll have the life they deserve now.

I'd love to do my bit some day, just need to do a bit of work on the DH....

[Aunty e]

I'm sorry to hear that - we lost one of ours over the weekend as well, went in to find one of them hunched up in the corner away from the others, she must have died in the night. One of them was always very quiet and inactive, and we think it was that one which died. We did expect to lose one or two in the first few weeks though, so we've tried not to get too attached. The others are out and about this afternoon, even though I was convinced they wouldn't want to go outside.

 

We're pleased with how it's gone really so far, we're lucky having the lean-to to put them in given how cold the weather is, and it would have been much easier in the summer, but we'll certainly consider getting some more in the new year. OH has plans to extend the run (as we can just slot in more panels and extra roof), and I've been eyeing up nice big houses to attach to the run

[Shirl]

Just wanted to update and say that Emily and Elizabeth are doing really well now. They are still indoors which is not ideal but I have changed them to the ex-batt food which seems to be working well as their feathers are coming through. I really would like to have them outside by next week as I have a number of friends coming over with children and I don't really want them having to go upstairs to use the toilet as children tend to get "lost" when they go upstairs and explore areas they ought not to be in. I'm probably unrealistic but I can live in hope. If all else fails I may just put them outside for the day.

[Aunty e]

Mine are quite fwuffy suddenly too! I've been eyeing up houses for them to go outside, as I'd like them out of the conservatory before Christmas. Mind you, the weather forecast is so cold, I suspect I'm going to 'chicken' out and keep them in. We're now giving a mixture of ex-batt and layers, as they were making such a mess with the ex-batt crumb and it was getting VERY expensive to keep feeding them on it. They're a bit neater with layers pellets, and they're getting lots of mixed corn too, as they like it so much I can't resist feeding it to them! Slight downturn on the egg front finally - hoping this means they're putting their energy into feathers

[Shirl]

I've been cheating and keeping the light on until 6pm in the hope the feathers will grow back quicker. The ex-batt food we have is the pellets and I agree it is so much less messy.

 

ETA I just read it back and it sounds like I think the light will make the feathers grow back . Clearly that's not what I meant. I just mean more food eaten gives more energy & protein to use in the formation of the feathers.

[Gertie]

Glad to hear they are doing well. I've been taking it day by day with mine & the weather. They've been closely monitored! They have been outside the whole time but I've done lots to make sure they are covered, dry, insulated etc etc. So far they are doing well & growing feathers. I was REALLY tempted to bring them in but tried all the above & they seem to be happy & coping well with the elements. It's supposed to be a milder weekend at least if you are going to try them outside. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that we don't get any more of the white stuff anytime soon!!!

[Shirl]

My girls were in a dry covered run but it's a large walk-in run. Maybe in a smaller Eglue setup with a shower curtain over the run it would have been more sheltered but with the cube even putting the smaller run on wouldn't have solved the problem. Emily was bald though so had no protection. I don't think Elizabth was particularly affected but in the end I just didn't want to take the chance. The room they're in seems to be around 10 degrees most of the time so warmer than outside but not warm by any means. Although I never intended to do the set up they're in now there was no alternative. We tried the garage with a heatlamp but it just didn't make enough diference to the temperature so we didn't bother putting the chickens out there.

 

I won't put them out yet but as the OH pointed out as well as children over we're having some floors sanded and re-finished next week and I don't want the workmen upstairs using the toilet so they will have to go outside during the day at least. They'll probably be pleased to get out there during the day.

[Gertie]

I would have brought Emily in too!!

You've got to do what's right for your hens or any pet haven't you. I've been heating my eglu classic run with a snugglesafe & it's completely covered apart from a small ventilation gap. Hopefully they'll have more feathers by the time it gets colder again. I may have to bring them in yet!

 

Its definitely a lot milder out there at the moment.

Best wishes

[Aunty e]

MIne are frolicking outside at the moment - we're moving them in with the other girls one by one. One of them has substantially more feathers than all the others, so she's going into the WIR tonight. We have a few real baldies though, who we'll be keeping in the lean to until after the cold snap we've been predicted next week. We need to order a new house before we put any more in, as it's a bit snug already in our sleeping quarters. I'm going basic and finding a cheap wooden house, and we might part exchange in the new year if Omlet still have the part-ex deal going Would love a go, but Christmas is a bit tight already.

[Shirl]

I had an egg waiting for me this morning so have decided I can't give them the additional light anymore. There's no point giving them extra feeding opportunities if they spend the energy laying eggs. I am really pleased with how they are feathering up. I will try to take some pics tomorrow.

[Shirl]

I didn't do very well on taking pictures. I've been sooo busy.

 

We've had fun and games with the ex-batts. Elizabeth has been pecking at Emily and even made her bleed. I've had to take the decision to move Elizabeth outside with the "old" girls and Emily is still indoors during the day and then in the cube with the others at night. I'm keen she should integrate into the group. I don't want her to be picked on even more by Elizabeth when she is eventually ready to live outside. I can't believe how difficult this rehoming has been. My last ex-batts were also rehomed in November and they lived outside and everything was great, this time has been so stressful wondering how I can do the best for them. I have to confess to not liking Elizabeth very much. She is such a bully even my old girls are frightened of her.

[Gertie]

So sorry to hear things aren't going as smoothly as they could! Poor old Emily getting pecked. Did I read somewhere that if u have a bullying hen you should isolate them from the others so they move down the pecking order. I know you need to keep her away from Emily but maybe you could also give her a spell away from your other girls. I'm sure you know that anyway, & what's best for your girls. It's also a case of having another coop for them isn't it...

 

I didn't have a great start with chickens as one had a prolapse & the other pecked her (I was not keen on Rosie after that!), I had one in the house etc etc...so I understand how you feel!

 

Hope Elizabeth settles soon & Emily grows some feathers so she can go out!