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

[Lara and Frey]

I've just got my first 3 girls today and I love them already. They seem to have settled quite well already (they even ate some mealworms out of my hand). I've got a warren/ginger(nut) ranger called Caramel (she's quite pale), and 2 Rhode Rocks one who has gold colouring and one who has rich dark red flecks. They are called Liquorice and Beetroot. All names picked by my 3 year old son who adores the newest additions to the family. Their individual personalities are starting to show through already and I can't stop watching them. Any one with any tips for someone new to hen keeping would be appreciated especially if anyone has any special mix they recommend for a dust bath for them as I seem to get conflicting information. Do I avoid sand as it can get in their eyes as one source said or mix it with soil or compost as others recommend? What works for you? Mostly just wanted to say hi and share my joy and excitement about getting my girls with people who understand

[PoachedPlease]

So exciting Lara, with luck you won't get completely obsessed by the whole chicken thing!

 

As for dust baths, if your chickens are on earth, the girls will prefer to make their own hole and scratch the dry earth. You can add sand but Sod's law they will just go and dig at a different patch!

 

I would love a RR, it's on my list behind the lavender auracanna.

 

Enjoy.

Xx

[Lara and Frey]

Hopefully not or I may need to rent or buy some land as the garden would probably only take one more eglu (2 if I got rid of my raised beds lol). Thanks for the tip off that they'll make their own. They're on the lawn (which I know won't stay covered in grass for long ) so they should easily be able to dig and make one. I plan on them staying in the run when we're out and free ranging the garden when we are in so plenty room for them to dig their own. The 2 RR seem very alert and curious and are very friendly. The green sheen I read about isn't the whole story as in some lights it's blue and others it's purple although green alot of the time. Very pretty hens. From first impressions I would recommend. I think the lavender auracana would be on anyone's wish list somewhere. Beautiful birds and blue eggs with a nice nature, doesn't get much better than that If I do get land they'll definitely be on they shopping list

[Lewis]

Welcome to the forum

 

My lot make their own dust baths too - dry soil, sand and diatom would be a good combination or on their own if you're providing one in a tray though

[Lara and Frey]

Cheers. I might try a tray with that mix in until they get around to digging their own. They're busy eating and sorting out the pecking order at the moment so I doubt it's high on their priority list at the moment and it looks like they might have brought a few red mites home with them so a dust bath with Diatom in sounds good. The hens have a full covering of feathers and seem bright and alert so want to get rid of the little blood suckers before they make my girls sick. I have some Diatom in (must have known it would come in handy) so will try them with a dust bath in a tray tomorrow. Thanks again.

[Luvachicken]

Welcome from me too.

Having chickens is wonderful isn't it ?

Mine are a big part of my life, but sometimes they do have problems, but everyone on here is very quick to help out.

Enjoy

[PoachedPlease]

Red mites already, that is very unlucky. You will need red mite spray to stop them taking hold. DE is preventative rather than curative. I wouldn't take the risk so early in your chicken career

 

Xx

[gavclojak]

I don't know if this helps but I took mine to the vets for a health check and had the spot on like dogs have on the back of the neck, that apparently gets rid of red mite, ticks, fleas and a whole host of other nasties, she only charges for the medicine and cost about z£10.00 for a large bottle that will last ages.

As a newbie I am not confident enough to hang them upside down and dust.

[Lara and Frey]

Is that a spray just for the eglu or for the hens too. I really don't want my girls getting sick. Haven't actually seen any on them but there was one in the cat box when I got them home and I've seen (and squashed) another 4 so far today so they must have carried them here. So much for red mites being nocturnal. I just want shot of them before they get chance to take hold. My hope is that only a few got brought here and as only 2 were near the run the others I found near the route that we took across the garden to get to the run that I'll be able to get shot of them before they can take a hold. Which product(s) do you recommend?

[Mulberry]

Hello

May be of interest...a couple of days a ago Biscuit and the others were amusing themselves in the field looking for bugs. Biscuit suddenly jumped in the air, ran in a circle and then ran over to Molly (head girl). She then did a quick curtsey, stuck out both wings and started some really vigorous preening. So it rather looked as though she had picked up an unwelcome passenger and was keen to remove it. At this, Molly started to help her by obviously picking off items on her feathers under her wing.

 

I have previously and occasionally seen one of the girls pick off items on the surface of another's coat, or beak, but nothing on this scale.

 

Cheers,