NFMC Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 Hello to all - happy to say that for my 40th I got an eglu which I've set up and today have been to collect three chickens (two Warrens and a Bluebell). They are now running round my garden in suburban Salford very happilly indeed. I've just read on the forum though about people not even leaving them for a few minutes in the fear of an urban fox. I've never seen a fox here but will be keen to take no chances until I know what I'm doing. Few questions - I've got layer pellets but am keen to supplement them whenever I can. We've just peeled an apple and thrown that down and they seem quite happy. Read the thing about tuna juice...will give that go. Any other treats I can give them? We often have 'normal' Greek yoghurt...can I give them that? We also have a wormery for compost and have thousands and thousands of excess red worms. Can I put those in with them for them to eat? Thanks in advance. Looking forward to the first egg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzzboy Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 Sounds like you got a good supply of worms to who the hens will love and one bit of advice try and keep your treats for late on in the afternoon so they get the goodness of the layers pellets as they will eat your treats all day long hope you get your first egg soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 Welcome... I have the chicks , I have the treats , but no wormery I have wanted one for sooo long My girls love grappling for worms in the garden and their antics digging for them put a smile on my face all the time . They are like people at a jumble sale trying to get a bargain ..fluffy knickers in the air As for treats...mine love dried meal worms (from wilkos) especcially if you want to lure them quickly. Chopped courgette , any left over veg , chopped melon (they fight over) Grapes ..it is war ..They hate cabbage ..i have loads of that from my allotments.They will eat it cooked. So just watch them..They will give you hours of pleasure. It is right not to give them too many treats before they have had their share of pellets , they will eat for England Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NFMC Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 Thanks all - first morning and no egg. That's it, they'll have to go. Or maybe not! They went to bed very easily and seem happy this morning so things must be OK. The only thing that was left in the laying section of the eglu was a massive poo. Other than clean it out and put fresh bedding down is there anything else I should do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 No, try not to worry. How old are your girls? Even if they were laying before it might take them a little while to settle in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NFMC Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 About four months old and the man said that some of them were laying. But - since nipping to the corner shop for the papers one of them has laid an egg (only small) on the grass in the run!!! Now, how do I encourage them to lay in the box? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 Wonderful about the egg , my 3 started laying after a couple of days and they should get used to using the box as mine did. After all you do things differently when you are somewhere you don't know well I have had my girls 3 months and my first egg was 38g now they are on average between 59 and 77 grams with a couple of double yolkers thrown in . I reckon I am sad but I keep a small notebook and write down each egg that is laid with the date and weight (and who has not) after a while you will recognise who is laying what (or not) They have changed our lives tottally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 About four months old and the man said that some of them were laying. But - since nipping to the corner shop for the papers one of them has laid an egg (only small) on the grass in the run!!! Now, how do I encourage them to lay in the box? try fake eggs or golf balls in the nest box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NFMC Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 Thanks - have plenty of golf balls! It's weird how compulsive this is. Only had them 24 hours but already see that they have their individual personalities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 Oh yes, they are brilliant time wasters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 Hello to all - happy to say that for my 40th I got an eglu which I've set up and today have been to collect three chickens (two Warrens and a Bluebell). They are now running round my garden in suburban Salford very happilly indeed. I've just read on the forum though about people not even leaving them for a few minutes in the fear of an urban fox. I've never seen a fox here but will be keen to take no chances until I know what I'm doing. Few questions - I've got layer pellets but am keen to supplement them whenever I can. We've just peeled an apple and thrown that down and they seem quite happy. Read the thing about tuna juice...will give that go. Any other treats I can give them? We often have 'normal' Greek yoghurt...can I give them that? We also have a wormery for compost and have thousands and thousands of excess red worms. Can I put those in with them for them to eat? Thanks in advance. Looking forward to the first egg. They love worms, but bear in mind they can carry chicken parasite worms. They love dairy products, technically I'm not sure they're designed to eat dairy but I give probiotic yoghurt sometimes. They like cooked pasta, greens, corn and pearl barley (we can get bags 40p from the supermarket). Somewhere there is a list on the forum or the omlet wiki. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
