Plumfychuck Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Eglu arrived and has been assembled. I am unbelievably excited!! Mr. Plumfychuck is coming home at lunch time and we are off down the M1 to choose and bring home our Girls. The Miss Plumfychucks are at school will be checking their mobiles (yes, even during lessons, for first pics of the chickens). They are a bit cross cos they thought they hould have had the afternoon off too! We have already bought lots of stuff (layer pellets, corn mix, meal worms, mixed grit, poultry spice and garlic powder). We really really want our new Girls to settle in as well as possible so any tips would be really appreciated. The really helpful lady on the Omlet chicken course we went to last Sunday said its best to put them in the eglu first so they can find their way out of it and then back in. how do we do that? Stuff them in the egg hatch or take the whole top off? Then do we leave them in the run for 5 days before we let them free range? should I have food ready for them? pellets or corn? Do you put newspaper in the bottom of the poo tray? Or sawdust? Or nothing? Shall I put straw in the nest bit? Any advice for happy hens very welcome thanks I'm soooooooooo excited Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henergy Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 I've not got an eglu but I am sure someone will be along soon who can help. Good luck with the settling in. We put ours straight into their coop & shut them in for the day. Then opened the pop hole in the morning & allowed them to find their own way down. We kept them in the coop for 3 days before letting them free range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 How exciting! Firstly you want them to fill up on layers pellets as it good all the good stuff in it for them and will make them lay eggs! I only give corn, meal worms and kitchen s"Ooops, word censored!"s in the late afternoon In the eglu, put shavings (sawdust can be breathed in and cause problems if it gets in their eyes) in the tray to catch droppings. I keep meaning to put news paper under the sawdust to make cleaning easier but never get round to remembering In the nesting box I use straw but some people prefer other stuff, shreaded paper is as good as anything! I personally don't think you need to worry about where you first put them in, the run or eglu (just make sure they go to bed at night for the first couple of nights you might need to show them) but yes don't let them free range for a few days. Also the first time you let them out it's a good idea not to do it first thing in the morning. They don't tend to stray too far if they know it's nearly bed time just my observation! Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Hi, how exciting! You will love having chickens, and a lovely time choosing them this afternoon. When you get home with them, open the eggport and put them inside the eglu for a little while, then let them out into their run for something to eat and drink. Have some layers pellets/mash and water out ready for them in the grub and glug, or whatever you are using, but don't be surprised or worried if they are reluctant to come out of the eglu immediately. It will take them a couple of days to get used to their new home. I put Hemcore or something similar in the nesting box and the poo tray. If you have already got straw for that purpose you can use that, but Hemcore or Aubiose (horse bedding made from hemp) is better if you can get hold of it. It is best to keep them in the eglu run for a few days before letting them out to free range. Hope you have a lovely time choosing your girls - and don't forget to let us know how you get on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peckingham palace Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Have read this thread with much interest. My eglu, chooks and all the kit and kaboodle arrive on 31st March and any settling in tips are most welcome. As an absolute beginner I would welcome any advice from allyour eggsperts out their please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JS1 Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 All of the above - and I'd suggest having more than one source of food and water to minimise settling in squabbles. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
