Clucking_Mad+1 Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 My Better half and I have just got 2 hens and are very happy. Just a few questions that are probably very simple, if someone could advise. 1. I know the birds needs grit, but do you put the grit in with the layer pellets in the grub container? can you mix the 2 things? or should I be using a different container, or even throw it on the floor. 2. I know they recomend giving chickens layer pellets all day, and corn in the evening as a treat. Do meal worms come under the same idea as treats just for the evening? 3. We've noticed from having them a couple of days that they seem to sneeze quite a bit, and have a runny nose. I think I read somewhere about something I can give them for runny noses. should I use it, or is it normal for them to sneeze a bit? We have them near a tree that drops pollen, so we didn't know if that was that playing them up? 4. After having them a few days, I almost feel cruel keeping them in a 2 metre run. Has anyone on here made their own run, just wondering if people have found cheap materials to make one, as I see the walk in run made by omlet is £500 which i think is steep for a 2 metre run. Ideally I'd like to let the chickens run around the garden without risk of them getting through the conifers and in to next doors garden. How tall do you need a fence to stop the chickens from jumping out?. 5. The chickens when we got them, the guy told us they were vacinated. Do you have to do this yearly, or is this a one off jab? P.S. i've posted some pictures of Vera and Phyllis in the gallery if anyone is interested. P.P.S. i'm sure more questions will come, I just can't think of any now while i'm typing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foreveryoung Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 (edited) 1. I know the birds needs grit, but do you put the grit in with the layer pellets in the grub container? can you mix the 2 things? or should I be using a different container, or even throw it on the floor. I just scatter it on the floor with a handful of corn but if they need it they will take it regardless of where it is 2. I know they recomend giving chickens layer pellets all day, and corn in the evening as a treat. Do meal worms come under the same idea as treats just for the evening? I normally give those as and when, just dont give them too much in the way or treats 3. We've noticed from having them a couple of days that they seem to sneeze quite a bit, and have a runny nose. I think I read somewhere about something I can give them for runny noses. should I use it, or is it normal for them to sneeze a bit? We have them near a tree that drops pollen, so we didn't know if that was that playing them up? sorry not sure bout that one but my girls sneesz now n then 4. After having them a few days, I almost feel cruel keeping them in a 2 metre run. Has anyone on here made their own run, just wondering if people have found cheap materials to make one, as I see the walk in run made by omlet is £500 which i think is steep for a 2 metre run. Ideally I'd like to let the chickens run around the garden without risk of them getting through the conifers and in to next doors garden. How tall do you need a fence to stop the chickens from jumping out?. we did ours for about 1000 (I think) but then we have a pollycarb roof over half and 9 4b4 uprights and surrounded by galvernised steel its also roughly 10ft by 10ft 5. The chickens when we got them, the guy told us they were vacinated. Do you have to do this yearly, or is this a one off jab? dont think you do need to revaccinate x Edited July 16, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 As a very newby of 4 weeks, what great questions and answers. poppy florry clover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Tea Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 4. After having them a few days, I almost feel cruel keeping them in a 2 metre run. Has anyone on here made their own run, just wondering if people have found cheap materials to make one, as I see the walk in run made by omlet is £500 which i think is steep for a 2 metre run. Ideally I'd like to let the chickens run around the garden without risk of them getting through the conifers and in to next doors garden. How tall do you need a fence to stop the chickens from jumping out?. We sectioned off a corner of the garden very cheaply (see here .... http://greenteaandhens.blogspot.com/2011/06/afflicted.html) ... it's a bit scruffy (my husband was away so my Dad helped me cobble it together and needs redoing now really but it has done the job for over a year .... we did have to trim one of the girl's wings but she was an exceptional escape artist. It could have done with being slightly taller really. It depends what you need, obviously mine is just designed to keep them in rather than keep anything out ...... they are securely shut in their coop overnight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Welcome to the forum . Great answers above but I'll add my tuppence worth too . 1. I know the birds needs grit, but do you put the grit in with the layer pellets in the grub container? can you mix the 2 things? or should I be using a different container, or even throw it on the floor. I use a coop cup like this but you can certainly mix it in with the feed. 2. I know they recomend giving chickens layer pellets all day, and corn in the evening as a treat. Do meal worms come under the same idea as treats just for the evening? Yes, mealworms are a treat. It's certainly not essential to give them treats every day so don't feel you have to. Limit any treats to the late afternoon/evening so they fill up on the pellets. I tend to give mine chopped up greens (kale/cabbage and the like) daily as they don't have access to grass. 3. We've noticed from having them a couple of days that they seem to sneeze quite a bit, and have a runny nose. I think I read somewhere about something I can give them for runny noses. should I use it, or is it normal for them to sneeze a bit? We have them near a tree that drops pollen, so we didn't know if that was that playing them up? It may be citricidal you read about? It may be just a result of their move but you could put some in their water if you like. 4. After having them a few days, I almost feel cruel keeping them in a 2 metre run. Has anyone on here made their own run, just wondering if people have found cheap materials to make one, as I see the walk in run made by omlet is £500 which i think is steep for a 2 metre run. Ideally I'd like to let the chickens run around the garden without risk of them getting through the conifers and in to next doors garden. How tall do you need a fence to stop the chickens from jumping out?. You can see my walk in run in my signature link. It probably cost about the same as the Omlet 2m run. There are also loads of photos of WIRs in hereand here. This is the 3rd thread and it runs to loads of pages so will take a lot of reading . Alternatively you could get some Omlet or other type of netting to give them space but keep them contained. I use Omlet netting to keep mine contained in the flower beds. 5. The chickens when we got them, the guy told us they were vacinated. Do you have to do this yearly, or is this a one off jab? Yes, this is a one off. You will, however, need to worm them roughly every 3 months. Flubenvet is the best wormer. P.S. i've posted some pictures of Vera and Phyllis in the gallery if anyone is interested. Lovely girls and great chickeny names . Hope that helps . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
