BrightonSteve Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 We got our 3 girls on Sunday, the first chickens we've owned, and while they seem to be getting on well in their new home, I've got a few questions as a newbie: * I've tried giving them a few treats - some cold boiled potato, a carrot, some carrot tops, but they're really not interested in them, although they're eating plenty of layers pellets. Does it take them a while to learn about the joys of treats and s"Ooops, word censored!"s, or am I just not offering the right things? I'm only offering them in the afternoon and removing them at the end of the day, virtually untouched. The only treat they do seem to go for is some corn scattered into the run. * As I'm feeding them layers pellets (and as they're not laying yet) do I need to be giving them supplementary grit, or is the grit in the pellets sufficient? * Any advice on getting them used to being handled? They're quite happy with us being immediately outside the run but as soon as we open the lid they scarper into the back corner, even if we come bearing corn! WIll they learn to come to us, or will I always have to 'make a grab' in order to be able to pick them up to check they're healthy? How do I get them to realise that being picked up isn't a bad thing - is it just by doing it regularly? * At the moment we've got (large, equine) wood shavings on the floor of the run but they're blowing all over the garden and also clumping together with poo (I really hadn't anticipated the volumes of poo!) so we're looking for an alternative material. I've been told that hardwood chippings work well as they can be hosed down once a week to wash away the poo but still provide a suitable floor for the girls to enjoy scratching through and will dry out fine without rotting (unlike bark chippings or softwood chippings). Anyone got any advice on hardwood chippings or any other material suitable for the floor of a run? Under the chippings is soil (what was a flower bed) which I suspect will turn to dust/mud if left without something covering it. The girls are enjoying scratching through the soil, though. Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Firstly, we need to see pics of your newbies!! I hope you are enjoying your girls, it sounds like they are settling in well. It does take a while for them to get used to treats but speaking from my experience dried meal worms are always well received. I also hang up either a lettuce or cabbage and sometimes peeled apples and slices of melon. I hang them slightly above their head height so they have to jump and this gives them some exercise and is hilarious to watch too In winter I mash cooked potato peelings (warm) into their layers mash and they love this!! although they get it all over their beaks and faces. I know people say that they love grapes too but mine are not really fussed by them but thats just my chooks, I guess they are all different. As for handling them it just takes time, I have spent hours sitting on the floor with mealworms and corn and various other treats getting my chooks to be friendly and some are now pretty good and like cuddles and will take treats from my hand but others are still wary. The best tip I would give you is to always move slowly when trying to catch them, hold your arms wide and try and corner them and only when they calm down pick them up. This has really worked for me and it gets easier and easier all the time using this method and my chooks are much less stressed and so am I Good luck with your girls and have fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy72 Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Mine weren't interested in treats whilst they were settling in, they didn't even get through many pellets to start with. Now they LOVE tomatoes and run at me if they think I am going near the greenhouse to get them one. They also like "corn time" at 4 o'clock. I also have a tub of oyster shell available, they give it the odd peck but I think they pick up some grit when free-ranging. In terms of getting used to being handled I just put a chair in their netted off area and sat in with them to start with. They were quite nervous but started eating corn from my hand, I then starting giving them a stroke whilst doing this. I didn't grab out or chase them and just left it for that day if they seemed nervous. I can now pick both of mine up and give them a check over, they just seem to relax once in my arms. I use hard woodchippings in their run and aubiose in their eglu. I just rake over the woodchip every couple of days and throw a handful of biodri in once a week. I am going to move their run soon to give the ground a chance to recover and give them a different view! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrightonSteve Posted September 1, 2011 Author Share Posted September 1, 2011 (edited) Here you go - this is when they had literally just arrived so were very nervous: http://yfrog.com/h69frjij And them getting to know their run: http://yfrog.com/mganbkbj Edited September 1, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 * I've tried giving them a few treats - some cold boiled potato, a carrot, some carrot tops, but they're really not interested in them, although they're eating plenty of layers pellets. Does it take them a while to learn about the joys of treats and s"Ooops, word censored!"s, or am I just not offering the right things? I'm only offering them in the afternoon and removing them at the end of the day, virtually untouched. The only treat they do seem to go for is some corn scattered into the run. When they start laying they will probably be interested in more treats. However mealworms tend to go down a treat for all ages - either live or dried. Be careful not to give them too much corn though, a maximum of an egg cup full or 20g per day * As I'm feeding them layers pellets (and as they're not laying yet) do I need to be giving them supplementary grit, or is the grit in the pellets sufficient? I take it you bought them as point of lay? Layers pellets are fine. If they get to free range they will pick up grit in the garden, although you should provide a mixed poultry grit too (They sell it in the Omlet shop). I just sprinkle a bit in the run * Any advice on getting them used to being handled? They're quite happy with us being immediately outside the run but as soon as we open the lid they scarper into the back corner, even if we come bearing corn! WIll they learn to come to us, or will I always have to 'make a grab' in order to be able to pick them up to check they're healthy? How do I get them to realise that being picked up isn't a bad thing - is it just by doing it regularly? Once they come into lay they should crouch which makes them easier to pick up. to get them used to be handled, its best to handle them later in the evening when they are more tired. I have a large-ish flock, some of my girls love nothing more than sitting on my lap for a cuddle, others scarper whenever they see me coming Its like people, some like affection, some don't. But all of mine get a fortnightly pick up and health check whether they like it or not * At the moment we've got (large, equine) wood shavings on the floor of the run but they're blowing all over the garden and also clumping together with poo (I really hadn't anticipated the volumes of poo!) so we're looking for an alternative material. I've been told that hardwood chippings work well as they can be hosed down once a week to wash away the poo but still provide a suitable floor for the girls to enjoy scratching through and will dry out fine without rotting (unlike bark chippings or softwood chippings). Anyone got any advice on hardwood chippings or any other material suitable for the floor of a run? Under the chippings is soil (what was a flower bed) which I suspect will turn to dust/mud if left without something covering it. The girls are enjoying scratching through the soil, though. Horse bedding is only really suited to covered runs. Hardwood chips would be perfect (not bark), I have this in one of my runs, I rake over weekly and sprinkle some disentectant (in my case BioDri) to ensure there are no nasties forming. Thanks in advance! Hope this has helped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 They are gorgeous, lovely girls!! Are you going to let them free range in the garden too? If not I think they may need a bit more space in their run or they can get bored and start picking on each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Congratulations, they look lovely . Can't add to the great advice above except to say I use Easibed in my (covered) WIR and don't find it blows about at all . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlisonH Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Mine weren't interested in treats for a while - they didn't know what to do with them but they soon start to get the idea and now I can't stop them rushing out to see if I've got anything good! I use Hemcore - a horse bedding and my run isn't all covered - it's really good at absorbing the poo and dries out from rain quickly although it will be more covered when the weather gets worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
