suebee Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 Hi all, Picture the scene... The snow had been falling steadily all afternoon, and had acquired some depth.... 'Twas mash time for the girlies, and so I made my way down the garden with it... freshly made, and lovely & warm... in their usual bowl. I opened their run door, their mash bowl in my left hand, and paused... to knock the snow off my clogs before I entered the run..... when..... flllloooomp!!!........ a mini avalanche descended from the roof, squarely into the mash bowl, filling it completely to the brim! The air was blue for a minute or two, until I managed to remove the fluffy snow in one piece, and see the funny side of it! (much to the bemusement of the girls, who tucked into a slightly chilled version of their usual!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 Oh Suebee this made me and Just the sort of thing that happens to me!!! Glad you could smile about it and the girlies still got their mash!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Shame, dinner wasn't porridge but ice cream I can identify, by the way, with how clogs get all, well, clogged with snow. I go out of the door and by the time I've reached the chickens I'm wearing yetty shoes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charly1979 Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I slipped on our steps this morning, luckily saved myself and the jug of corn for the girls breakfast, I got there before the door had let them out because on some morning I have to negoiate the steps and 7 girls running in and out of my feet, they are worse than cats at times ...... unless my DH husband has empolyed them so he can claim of my life insurance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Hehe I envisioned exactly what you described and like mimi, it made me chuckle! Lucky ladies getting their mash! What exactly do you make for them if you don't mind me asking? My chickens have had warm porridge made with water and didn't touch it (well they picked out the corn I sprinkled on for them ) x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I use 'quick make' porridge oats. I think it is by Quaker Oats but it could be Scotts (guess I'm not all that brand aware ). I put a little boiling water in with one packet of oats in a terracotta plant saucer when I first come down in the morning and by the time I've filled up the Grub / Glugs it is just warm to the touch (I stick my little finger in). The trick I find is that they don't like it too runny. I did try adding layers mash but that was rejected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suebee Posted January 16, 2013 Author Share Posted January 16, 2013 Lucky ladies getting their mash! What exactly do you make for them if you don't mind me asking? Hi Mrs B..... Their mash is nothing special.... At the moment (because it's cold), it's a tablespoon of layers pellets, and two tablespoons of mixed corn, a quarter teaspoon of powdered garlic and enough boiling water to soak the pellets up, (but not enough to make it wet... as Shabby Chic says, slurry is generally a no no!) Into this I add 'veg of the day'... eg... a bit of carrot, broccoli and cauliflower etc. ......GRATED no less... for my fussy ladies. The quarter teaspoon of garlic equates to just under a teaspoon per week for each bird. (I only have the two of them at the moment.) In warmer weather, I dispense with the mixed corn, and if they're having a mash, I would use three tablespoons of layers pellets, moistened as above, (needing a little more water, the more pellets I use.) When they were moulting, I crushed a few mealworms into the mash, every other day for extra protein. I generally use boiling water, as, by the time I get it to them, it's just warm.... particularly if the mash is descended upon by a passing avalanche... ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Fab, thanks both! Suebee...you say it's nothing really but it's sounds good to me and I will certainly be giving what you've done a go as I think it sounds more adventurous to what I did and the chickens get a good balance of foods (I also think maybe mine wasn't thick enough!) plus it would be lovely to give the chooks something warm, especially now in this very icy weather! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suebee Posted January 17, 2013 Author Share Posted January 17, 2013 The pellets make for a better textured mash, than the mixed corn, to be honest, as they soak the water up and go nice and spongy. Mine get the corn added to their mash, as the dafties don't like it on it's own... ... A nice, crumbly mash is more achievable with more pellets, and less corn. You can add what you want (them to have), eg codliver oil, garlic, poultry spice etc etc. It's a good vehicle for extras, and a healthy con trick... er... I mean treat... ... as they generally go mad for it, as if it's something amazing... ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charly1979 Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 I made my bunch of girls one today loads of added veg and peelings cod liver oil, garlic and a splash of maple syrup (only becuase mum puts honey in hers for her geese) The ungrateful bunch only ate half of it or maybe I just made too much ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
