Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[KatieChickenFace]

I'm new to this forum but I've love reading your posts! I don't know if I'm allowed to do this but I found this on ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Boredom-Busting-Pecking-Block-Poultry-Hand-Crafted-and-All-Natural-Peck-/120843749994?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Poultry&hash=item1c2d94a6a

and wondered what you all thought? seem good to me! I'm tired of paying a small fortune for pecking blocks that are demolished seemingly within minutes!

[jasperaliceuk]

Interesting! I was actually going to post to see if anyone knew a mix that could be used to fill a rolly log - the chickens love these things but as you say they are ridiculously expensive and get scoffed really quickly. I make these sort of feeders for the wild birds but don't want be putting fat in them so how else can you bind a load of mixed corn and grit to make it all hold together?

 

Sue

[jasperaliceuk]

Look what I found! Easy peasy to do.

It hadn't occurred to me that you could bake them. The commercial ones often seem to have banana in them so perhaps that what holds everything together when baked.

 

 

120g (4 tbsp) golden syrup or honey

130g porridge oats

130g mixed corn

1 dessert spoon Poultry spice

kebab sticks/garden sticks/lolly sticks

 

In a large saucepan, melt the syrup/honey. Take off the heat and slowly add the dry ingredients stirring until well mixed. You are looking to achieve a thick sticky consistency, similar to that of flapjacks. I have found on occasions I need to add more syrup/honey, I think this is due to the mixed corn variations or more oats if the mixture is too wet.

 

I then mould the mix around the sticks and bake at the bottom of the oven, usually when I have a slow roast in, until they have baked solid and dry. You can then remove the stick and thread garden wire through for hanging up.

 

Sue

[Egluntyne]

£3.30 plus P&P for what looks like a couple of tablespoons at most, of seeds and a couple of inches of string! Rather expensive.

 

Have a look here for info about Redwing's recipe for a pecking block. I've made these several times and the hens love them.

[ohcarolina]

I know what I'm going to be baking tomorrow (as well as the worlds easiest chocolate fudge cake - but that's NOT for the chooks)

[KatieChickenFace]

Hurray! Thanks for the recipe links, I'll be having a crack at that tomorrow

[not enough chickens]

my local wilkinsons sell pecker blocks for a quid, i usually get them, but think i might give these recipies ago

[jasperaliceuk]

The two I've made have been a hit - lasted three days - mind you they were pretty solid! Had to get my dog out of their run as he took a fancy to it too!

 

Sue

[lindafw]

I buy mine from Scats. They last well considering they are attacked by a dozen girls