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

[Hayleybug]

Hi all,

just wanted a bit of advice really from anyone who uses the grub and has bantams. I clean the grub and glug on a weekly basis, and I was wondering how often people change the food? I have just poured out the pellets into a bowl and theres loads of food left and im loath to throw it away as it seems a waste. How often should they have fresh pellets? i'm wondering whether as I have 3 bantams I should change from the grub to a gravity feeder so i can put less pellets in and cause less waste. I will have to buy another lot of pellets very soon but they arent eating any more than half of what ive actually used!

thanks in advance

[mimi5]

Hi Hayleybug!

 

How's it going??? Are you getting to know your girls??

 

I try not to over fill the grubs (I have 2 between 6 pekin bantams) and when there looks to be alot of broken down pellets, I tip them in to a jug and use them to make a pellet porridge for first thing on cold mornings!! My guys love it!! I make it in a ceramic bowl, by pouring over warm water and letting it be absorbed before giving it to the gang!

 

Don't use the glug as my guys didn't get on with it!! So just a regular drinker for us. Hope this helps??

[Hayleybug]

Hi Mimi!

we are getting used to each other now yes, Peggy-Sue and Lola will take mealworms or corn out of a pot i hold out now (Clementine is all mouth no trousers and is too scared)

i have made them a porridge from pellets but they only ate the bit that had the meal worms on top (same with normal porridge made with water!)

So if the pellets havent broken down is it ok to still leave them out? or should i change them after a few days anyway?

[Hayleybug]

oh also, how often do you change the water? im putting lifeguard in so a bit reluctant to change it every day as thats a waste too!! thanks

[mimi5]

Well like most things that's up to you!

 

It's difficult isn't it?? I just try not to fill up the grubs too much and I transfer from the least used one to the most used and then when I decide they need a wash (I would try and let them run down for a day or two first) then I tip away the powdery stuff and the few pellets left!!! Mine get their porridge everyday at the mo, so the grubs go down slower. I'd say do whatever you feel happy to. Perhaps, when your bag runs out, tip away any left then. (I use 5kg bags) I have noticed since having 6 we get through the bags faster.... and now with 2 more, I don't think the "best before" date will be an issue!

 

As regards water I know what you mean as I add the nettex tonic at that mo (Molly's moulting AGAIN!) Well, I use a gravity drinker and so tip away the water in the tray every night (it refills it's self) then it last 2-3 days depending on the weather. I'm bringing the drinker in every night because of the temps!!Wash the drinker before re-filling. In the summer it's fresh everyday!

[Hayleybug]

it is very difficult! i have been filling the grub up really and they have been eating down (not lots but enough i hope) and then i had been shifting it to one side of the grub and filling the other. the only thing i would worry about with not filling it up to the top is whether they wouldnt like to put their heads right inside?? or that might be because im claustrophobic so couldnt imagine it myself!! maybe i should just half fill it or something and see how they do, but the gravity feeders have the food visible all the time and with less having to be put in. oh what a dilemma!! thanks for your help though i feel a bit less guilty about not changing it every day etc (which might have been a bit ocd to be honest!!)

[mimi5]

I did have a gravity feeder but TBH I find the grubs are better and as long as they are at chest height my bantams don't seem to mind getting right in there!!! Yes I do the whole flip the pellets over from one side too!!!

 

In fact I have an assortment of feeders and drinkers in my garage!!! Hubby always moans about chicken clutter whenever he goes in there now!!

 

I'm sure you have other food stuffs about in the run like me.....I'm a worrier too!!! You'll find your own way of doing things, you just have to get a bit of time under your belt so to speak!

[Hayleybug]

oh good im so glad it isnt just me! i worry about everything, in fact i get hypochondria for myself and then i come on here and read the chicken clinic and get it for the chooks too!!

i will take your advice and fill the grub a bit less and see how it goes, they dont appear to be eating a lot but then they are quite small and look very healthy and happy so im trying not to stress! at least they have decided they quite like cabbage now they have worked out it isnt a scarey monster!

[chickchick2012]

I too have 3 bantams and my smallest bantam (a tiny lavender Wyandotte) found it too difficult to reach into glug/grub. So I got myself some Galley pots from Flyte so Fancy (£1.09p each) which I hang onto the the glug and grub holder that I got from Omlet. These are a lot smaller so I hang up 2 for the water and two for the food and are brilliant. I only 3/4 fill them and top them up when necessary. The water - I'm also putting in Lifeguard, I replace every other day.

 

Hope that helps

Kay x

[mimi5]

Yes, those galley pots are good and they do clip on to the cube run too!!!! I use them as grit/oytser shell pots, one next to each grub. I got mine from ebay, 4 for so much, but can't remember how much!!

 

They also clip on to my anti-broody coop (aka wire cat basket!! ) for food & water.

[Hayleybug]

the galley pots are a good idea, i have got one with mixed grit and oyster shell in but it might be worth getting a couple more in case.

I went out to get some more pellets earlier and asked the bloke in the shop his advice and he said that the grub doesnt need to be filled right up as they are quite happy to put their heads right in as long as they can actually reach! so im going to try filling it a bit less as they arent particularly small birds so shouldnt have any trouble with the grub and glug on the lower ledge of the holder.

got some ACV too and put their water in the penned area and they went mad for it! hope they arent drunk now