Single hen

[KeymerKim]

Edit - Buffie Just popped you in Chickens so more people can answer your querie...Welcome!

 

Hello All,

 

I've been reading the forum avidly (should have been working, but it's very addictive) and saw that the girls might enjoy Wheetabix.

 

So, I've mixed up two (for 4 girls) with some raisins and sunflower oil and warm water.

 

My question is how much water should I add? The more I put in, the more the Wheetabix seems to expand and I'm worried about it expanding more in their crops and causing them problems.

 

What started out as a good idea for a treat for them is now giving me concern and I might just give up and give them some mixed corn instead!!

 

Can someone please advise me as it's their treat time and I can see them pacing up and down wondering where I am.

 

KeymerKim

x

[Snowy]

Mine like it quite sloppy so I would err on the side of too much water rather than too little

[KeymerKim]

Ooh thank you Snowy.

 

It's now like a thick vegetable soup, so I'll add a bit more and see what they think.

 

I'll let you know what they think.

 

Thanks again

 

x

[Snowy]

Mine love leftover cereal and bread crusts soaked to a sloppy porridge consistency. They make me laugh when they tuck in - they make that Hannibal Lector slurping sound!

[KeymerKim]

Well, they took a bit of time to work out what it was, but they soon got the hang of it!

 

You do get a bit of a Wheetabix shower when they shake their heads and it's really funny when one of them finds a raisin - they run off with it with the others in hot pursuit!

 

I think that's gonna be one of their weekly treats from now on.

 

Hope the weather isn't affecting you all too much - it's very grey and miserable down here at the mo, but not raining. Where is the Summer??

 

As a bit of background, I've had the girls for 3 1/2 weeks now and still no eggs - but they are only just over 20 weeks old. Honk and Minky are very red in the face, but Mumble and Fuffknicks still look like youngsters. They do make me laugh tho - can't believe how easy going they are - not at all nervous of us.

 

Although they've got quite a big run (with the Cube inside) they don't have any grass to nibble at and I'm thinking of getting some netting so they can forage around in the trees we've got. We are in a fairly rural area, so I'm really not happy about letting them free range, coz we have all sorts of wildlife around us (foxes, stoats, hawks etc). I've also got three cats who ignore them in the run, but Piglet is a real hunter (she caught a stoat a week or so ago) and I'm sure she'd see them as prey if she got the chance.

 

I've also got loads of veggies on the go at the moment and I'm sure they'd stuff their faces at the first chance they got. Despite the weather, my sweet corn is nearly ready, so I want to hang one up for them to peck at. They love runner bean leaves and also beetroot leaves, but don't like cauliflower - funny things.

 

That's my news for now - waffled on a bit there! I do have some photos and have just got a Photobucket account, so I'll try and post them this weekend.

 

Thanks for the advice and thank goodness it's Friday tomorrow (Yay!)

 

KeymerKim

xx

[Hen Watch]

Hi KeymerKim,

 

I must try the weetabix treat, sounds interesting. Mine have snacked on a baby frog today and chased each other round the garden to get to it. Their spaghetti worms are fav at the moment.

 

Not sure who, but I did read someone on this forum who puts turf squares in the run. Maybe you could buy some from the garden centre? Mine love grass (anything green actually).

[cutechicky]

You know, I might try that recipe! I am on the look out for different things to give my girls at the moment! Thanks a lot! xxx

[KeymerKim]

Hi All - they polished off the remainder of the Wheetabix today, so I think it's a favourite for the moment!

 

Thanks for the tip about turfs in the run. Funnily enough, I had read the same thing and bought 3 small cat trays from Wilkinsons today and I'm gonna put some turf in there for them - they are spoiled!

 

Better weather today and good forecast for tomorrow.

 

Have fun all and have a good weekend.

 

KeymerKim

xx

[Ladylucan]

I love the idea of a piece of turf, never thought of that, and i have never tried weetabix, but then i do have that everyday so will now have to think about sharing!!!!,

I normally give my girls porridge, which i mix up with chicken spice, when i worm them the flubenvet, plus sometimes, raspberries, sweetcorn, anything i have left over really to mix in with it, the only thing the didnt eat was the blackberries, .

 

I shall go and get a couple of pieces of turf tomorrow for them, thanks for the ideas x

[AJuff]

Our hens followed my daughter about today as she was eating soft dried apricots, she threw them half a one and Delia ran off with it like she'd found a slug. They all liked them and cam back for more. Interested to read about the weetabix, might give it a try in the morning. If they eat leftover cereal are they ok with milk?

[Snowy]

Bits of milk don't do them any harm. I give mine the childrens leftover cereal (I'm a cruel mother, we only have weetabix or porridge - no sugary cereals!) mixed with leftover bread crusts, cooked veg and potato or rice and pasta. All soaked with extra water and turned into a gloopy porridge. I give it to them in the evening to put them back into their run. Then stand back as they dive in and flick it everywhere!