Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[BrightonSteve]

I'm interested to know if anyone has any tips for keeping girls interested when they're in their run. I'm aware we're using s"Ooops, word censored!"s and treats to give them something to do but I don't want them putting on weight, as they're not able to free range in our garden.

 

Any suggestions for what I can put in the run that will keep them interested and occupied while we're out at work, without making them fat?

[quickcluck]

I just hang stuff up! Melons are good, corn on the cob, brussels on a stalk, cabbages/greens. I also have a pecker block which lasts ages. Perches are also essential as they like to jump up and down all day, they dont have to be posh ones I use tree branches, broom sticks and have logs/flower pots dotted about. Hope that helps

[daxigirl]

Mine have all of the above but I found some large wild bird seed bells in the pound shop, about the size of a mug, it's lasted best part of a week with 11 of them pecking at it. I also found a corn kong ( not sure what else you'd call it) that seems to work quite well.

[BrightonSteve]

Thanks for the ideas - I'm hoping to find some non-food treats to keep them occupied- I've heard hanging CDs in the run can be good - has anyone tried it?

[quickcluck]

They wont put on weight Steve, so don't worry about that. Green stuff makes the yolks a lovely flavour and a really deep yellow

 

Sometimes I put in a whole apple and they kick it about like a football!

[Smudge]

I did try hanging a couple of CDs in the run for them last year as someone on here I think suggested it. The seemed interested for a little while having a good peck and making them swing around but they soon lost interest when they realised it wasn't edible!

 

I have some branches and logs dotted around, but if I need to leave them in the run for anything longer than a morning/afternoon then I just hang up a corn on the cob, or a pecking block and they haven't got fat. I tend to hang them quite high so they have to stretch and jump a little to get at them. I've tried the green stuff but they just ignore it.

[ashjc]

I hung a parrot mirror up in my run instead of a CD, it scared the hell out of my chickens and the neighbours.. the noise was crazy.

 

I have a pecker block and its half eaten after 2 weeks... I have also hung apples up in my run and they love that... they wont put weight on with stuff like that because if they were free ranging they would be eating most of the day at grass etc.

[Margaret]

My Girlies never freerange anymore, stopped it about a year ago as wanted my garden back.

Have loads of perches, dustbaths and an covered 12 foot WIR with an extra 6foot outside they spend most of the day hopping in and out. They ignore peck a blocks but any food thrown in is gratefully recieved

Never seem bored always on the go and no fighting so must be happy. Your Girls will be fine and will only start to pace up and down the wire when they see you, I have been known to crawl under the kitchen window with a cup of tea so they wont see me. Mind you now adays they dont make me feel guilty anymore so just ignore them but when its all fairly new they can pull at your heart strings.

[BrightonSteve]

Thanks for the thoughts - can someone point me towards the peck blocks? I'm not quite sure what they are or where to get them!

[quickcluck]

Try this!

 

http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/info%5fJBPB%5f910493%2ehtml

[Alis girls]

Does anyone play music to their hens? Thought about putting capital on for some rap etc for them. Or failing that the Archers

[Margaret]

Oh the shame.. But will admit to....When I take the Girls to Scarey Farmers Wife, when we go on holiday,

the journey is about 40 mins mine love Christy Moore, nothing else works but the all love him

[Sandychick]

Thanks for the thoughts - can someone point me towards the peck blocks? I'm not quite sure what they are or where to get them!

I bought one from Wilkinsons a couple of days ago - they have increased their range of chicken stuff which is useful (red mite powder, poultry spice, feed, corn etc,etc)

 

Does anyone play music to their hens? Thought about putting capital on for some rap etc for them. Or failing that the Archers

Apparently foxes don't like radio 4!! Link to artical So mine do listen to this while free ranging Not something to rely on, but any deterant has to be a good thing:D

[UKMARCH]

Hi, I have made my own pecker blocks as I thought they were too expensive you can use pellets, grit, seeds and grains and they seem to enjoy them. I made one recently with the seeds from a lot of raspberries that I had to sieve out when I made some icecream that went down well. I also put a little corn in their dustbaths sometimes keeps them interested and looking just in case! Here's a photo not sure if this will work but here goes.

 

pecking block

dustbath

[squiffs]

Steve - Coombs Pet Shop in Brighton sells peck blocks, as does the Garden Centre on top of the racehill

[Alis girls]

pets at home do too

[BrightonSteve]

Oooh, thanks - I virtually pass Coombes on my way home from work - I'll pop in!

[squiffs]

Oooh, thanks - I virtually pass Coombes on my way home from work - I'll pop in!

 

 

I do too!

 

The chicken stuff is at the back near the rodents and all the budgie food etc. They also have some chicken accessories on top of a cabinet between the dog and cat food and the back of the shop (poultry shield, flea powder, the usual). They sell a couple of types of chicken feed but the Racehill has a lot more variety.

 

Also, having seen pics of your girls, I think I've spoken to you on the Martins Wood Facebook page! Small world

Edited September 21, 2011 by Guest

[squiffs]

pets at home do too

 

 

Pets at Home is 9 miles in either direction from Brighton, oddly enough. Pain in the rear end to go all that way for peck blocks.