surf_space Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 Hi all, I've got some bantam chicks who are are 10 weeks old, and at the minute the whole floor of the eglu is covered in straw for them to snuggle up in. However, in the mornings it feels damp from condensation. At what age can I put the roosting bars back in for them? As I know 10 weeks still might be a little two early, Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 I put the bars back when my youngest was 14 weeks. I think that's the earliest you can really. Assume its the same for bantams, my girls are big.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf_space Posted December 1, 2012 Author Share Posted December 1, 2012 Thanks for the advice, I did think they would have to be a bit older. Just with the straw getting damp from condensation and the cold weather I don't want them to catch a cold! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 You might be better with easi bed in your eglu tray, rather than straw & maybe some cross cut paper shredding. It's just that wet staw may hold spores & moulds that wouldn't be pleasant to your chickens. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 crikey mine aren't bantams but are 7 weeks and have been roosting for almost 2 weeks.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 Sandyhas3chuks - think there is a danger they damage their breastbone as its still growing/soft or something. Might be best to take out til they are bigger. Surf_space - easichick/easibed are like small wood chips, both v similar but easichick comes in smaller packs. I think the hemp/rape straws aren't as bad when they get wet either. I used dust free sawdust, but some people don't like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf_space Posted December 1, 2012 Author Share Posted December 1, 2012 Thanks, I'll have a look at some alternative bedding until they can roost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 If I take the bar out they will be squabbling. Over the side of the nest box? They are rather large babies? Much bigger than my c l b. And well summer were at the same age and they are always roosting in the run. But I appreciate that that is not like 12 hours solid. ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 I have a cclb and she is little but my sussex, maran and wyandotte are not. I would take bars out so you don't worry and if they don't like or squabble you can put back in? I am a fan of big girls - you got pics on here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 I agree that a more absorbant bedding will help - I use woodshavings Roosting too early dents or kinks the keel bone and attached cartilage Its a major flaw in a show bird but makes no difference to a pet. You could argue that they should be allowed to roost if they want to but personally I dont think that its a particularly nice thing for them to damage their bones so dont allow any of my birds to roost early. In fact I dont allow them to roost full stop. Not one of my coops has roosting bars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 oh dear , what to do then> I put a bar in there as they were on the side of the nest box... which their mother now needs... and as they got bigger there was lots of arguments for space.. Any suggestions... and I thought mother new best .... she seemed to with food, going outside, when its time to go in if its cold etc... flippin eck thought we were doing well what age or weight is it ok? obviously at 15 weeks bought as POL my hybrids were already roosting.. and I cannot recall when my ther 2 started roosting sat night, just that at 7 weeks they were at least half the size of these 3...!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 I wouldnt worry too much - not everyone has the same views on this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
