3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[memphisto]

As a fairly new chicken keeper,I've found this forum invaluable so a huge thank you to all my forum friends for your help so far.

 

A question which I've been meaning to ask for a while, what feed do you feed your chickens? With my hybrids, I started initially with Marriages layers pellets, which my girls didn't touch, I then changed them to Marriages layers mash, they liked this for all of 2 weeks then stopped eating it but were FR all the time. I've changed them to the Omlet brand feed and they love it, they also don't make so much mess, well they do but they hoover it up later in the day (not with actual hoover's just their appetite), so we have a lot less wastage.

 

My littlies (Pure Breeds) have Marriages Growers Pellets as they are 19 and 15 weeks, I was advised not to go to layers until after Christmas as they could have a premature moult, this was after I gave a follow Omleteer a half bag of growers because I wasn't anticipating getting more hens! The littlies don't like the pellets very much, they're hardly touching it but they are now out FR as well. I have been to my normal food supplier and all they have is Marriages growers pellets. Is there anyone who could recommend another growers range, preferably in a mash form.

 

Also....I'm tentatively thinking, and I stress only thinking, about showing the pure breeds.....is it necessary to feed them a specific show feed? I had a friend who showed rabbits and they gave them a special feed, I assume there is a specialist feed but could someone advise me?

 

I've got two very different flocks, I have my big girls, mostly hybrids but one barred rock is with them and my littlies, 2 Orpington Bantams, 2 young buff Orpingtons and 2 Appenzellers. Lottie our white star was in with the big girls but due to bullying and feather pecking in the night, we put her in with the littlies to let her heal. The others won't bully her in the day, just at night. She used to re-join the big girl flock after being let out in the morning, the last two days, she's gone with the littlies and is fantastic with them, she's like a proper mother hen to them. I was just wondering if chickens can just change flocks seamlessly as and when they want or do they tend to flock with who they know?

 

And finally, a nosey question.....how far do you travel to get your chooks, my first girls were from a garden centre 20 minutes away, the next 7 were from a breeder 50 miles away and the latest two have come up from mid Wales, which would have been a 2 hour drive but was met by their owner 70 miles from me. OH says I am mad to travel for chickens but I've actually found two very good ladies who I keep in touch with.

 

Thanks in advance

[Redwing]

If you are planning to keep your chickens as pets most of the time and just attend the odd show then they will be fine on layers pellets the same as the rest of the flock

 

All show females look better when they arent laying as it saps their pigment (face, comb and legs) so I feed mine on a mixture of food for tip top condition, the basis of which is high protein growers pellets but there are various grains and seeds in there too as well as oils, I mix it all up myself so I cant tweak the ratios to suit how they are looking

 

I dont get many eggs though

 

I highly recommend David Scrivener's Exhibition Poultry book if you do decide to go very far down the showing route. Also check the standards for your birds, how competative the classes are for your chosen breeds and the basics of what is required - clipped wings are a no-no for instance

 

Joining your local poultry club is a good start, sometimes these are very 'show' orientated and sometimes they are more social with a calender of speakers and events

[memphisto]

Thank you so much for that.

 

I've now sussed out my local poultry club, have e-mailed asking how to join and costs.

 

I don't want to get too serious about it, just want to have a bit of 'fun' if that is the right word, with it, to meet fellow enthusiasts, get to know more, I don't want to go 'chickenzilla' about it

 

Eggs from the pure breeds aren't a huge issue for me, obviously it would be nice but my hybrids give me wonderful , I've not clipped their wings or anything like that, I think I'll spend the winter reading and researching about showing for fun and see what the new year brings

 

Thanks once again

[Redwing]

You need only show at your local shows, its great fun and very social

 

The main show season is Oct-March so its a great time to check out shows and see how they work witout the pressure of actually showing

[duchess]

I took 2 of mine to a show this year. Just the local agricultural show. And amazingly I came home with 2 first prizes!! They're not on any special food just layers pellets. I did however bath them in the sink with baby shampoo a couple of days before and gave their legs a scrub with an old toothbrush. Also put a bit of Vaseline on combs and wattles to enhance the colour. I'm hoping to take a couple to the Scottish national in January where I'm sure it will be a bit

More competitive!!

Good luck if you decide to show