Littlebitoginger Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Hello everyone. I'm Jo, first time chicken owner to 3 POL hybrids. I've had them 3 weeks now and absolutely LOVE them, especially my little ginger girl. Am I allowed a list of questions?? Firstly, the coop came with perches that were only about an inch square. I replaced them after reading somewhere they like have their feet flat, not curled around like a wild bird, with 4" perches. They still don't use them, so I re-read and have now replaced them with 2" perches. I'm lost..................what size should they be and why don't they use them please? They prefer to sleep in the egg boxes which I now block and they then sleep in front of them on the floor. Secondly - twice now a GIANT egg has been laid. I don't know who did it, but it seems to be over night or early hours. It really is huge compared to the normal little ones I get. Any idea why please? Lastly - treat? I give them dried meal worms and make them fruit and veg kebabs I've got a list of what can and can't be fed, but I don't know how often treats are allowed. Daily, weekly? Thanks for reading and any replies. Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Perches are generally accepted to be 2" wide with rounded edges. In my experience large chickens prefer something bigger so they can rest properly on them, so ours are 4". Our bantams have a 2" wide perch. They probably won't have perched before so you may need to lift them on a few times until they get the idea. Get them off the floor otherwise they will get covered in poo. The giant egg may be a double yolker. New layers take a while to get into the routine. They should settle down soon and start laying in the nest box. Treats should be small in quantity so that they are only a tiny fraction of their daily diet. Mealworms are good. Bread is definitely not as it is likely to lead to sour crop. Fruit is good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Hello and welcome. It takes a while for them to find their perches. Mine really like an old broomstick. Sometimes I get 3 big birds on there. My other perches are just old pieces of branches, obviously not too thin, but they like those too. I've also got old logs and turned over flower pots, which they like to perch on. Good luck, and enjoy your double yolkers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulad Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 we get all shapes and sizes in eggs - its normal !! treats - ours love meal worms and we only usually give them at the end of the day once they have had their fill of their mash/pellets - its also a brilliant way to get them back in the run !! as soon as they hear the tub shaking they start running. Good luck with ur chucks - they are brilliant x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlebitoginger Posted July 16, 2014 Author Share Posted July 16, 2014 Thanks for the replies. When I said giant, I meant THIS big Not sure if the picture link will work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 I've posted your photo for you as you won't be able to post pictures till you've notched up about 5 posts . It's really quite common to get the occasional huge egg - we even used to have a Leaderboard for weights of eggs . Nothing to worry about, just enjoy the double yolks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Hi Jo. Welcome to chickens Mine have a small handful of corn (between them not each), and occasionally stuff from the garden, fruit or mealworms. I'm dreading worming time when they can't have any! Enjoy your girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaKiw1 Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 ...... and you need to treat yourself to an Eggskelter so you'll know the order in which eggs have been laid so you can use them up accordingly - and it looks fab to show off your eggs too (although that HUGE one might not fit, you lucky thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlebitoginger Posted July 16, 2014 Author Share Posted July 16, 2014 Thank you "ain't "Ooops, word censored!"ody here" for posting my photo (waves a cheery wave in thanks). "mullethunter" please explain your "no treats + worming" comment. "LunaKiw1" A what?? Intrigued of Hertfordshire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 One of the (many) things I have learnt on here in my 6 weeks, is that the girls should be wormed every 3-6 months. This is either by pre-medicated pellets, or by adding powder to your normal food (someone much more knowledgeable than me will fill you in better). It takes a week and during that time no treats allowed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 http://www.egg-skelter.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlebitoginger Posted July 16, 2014 Author Share Posted July 16, 2014 Ahhhhhhh!!! Thank you. Once I have a kitchen and not a building site I shall get one . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 They come in two sizes so make sure you don't get the one for bantams - you'll never fit your big egg on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaKiw1 Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 The Omlet shop sells those EggSkelters and some in another style too. Practical as well as attractive - I had mine as a Mother's Day prezzie but you could drop hints for birthday or Christmas too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pottage Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 My chunksters *hated* being trapped in prison when they were wormed recently, and equally hated the pellets. I'm trying the Flubenvet powder & grape method next time, so they can continue to bimble around the garden. I didn't rescue 4 poor over worked commercial girls to give them a taste of freedom and then lock them back up for 4 weeks of the year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlebitoginger Posted July 18, 2014 Author Share Posted July 18, 2014 Why aren't they allowed treats or allowed to roam when being wormed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Why aren't they allowed treats or allowed to roam when being wormed? So they don't fill themselves up with with treats and grass instead of medication. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueChick Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Hi - hope you getting all settled now with your ladies - don't worry about questions being posted here - that's what it's for. I have had hens for 7 years now and I still have questions! It's a constant learning curve but it definitely gets easier with time. I am on day 5 of worming week (no treats yuk! Say my ladies!) but it's SO important to worm properly. If you look at the thread on worming with flubenvet on the frequently asked question section it explains it all. It also states very clearly that flubenvet is only successful fed over one week with no other treats (it's not only about them eating enough pellets it's also about the worms in their stomach only having access to medicated food so they have no alternative but to eat that and die). If you ever see some of the horror movie style photos on here of large infestations you will definitely think one week of being kept in with no treats is worth it! Hope this helps - please just ask if you have any more questions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 SueChick are you using medicated pellets or are you putting powder on your normal pellets? I'm in two minds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueChick Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 I am using Marriages medicated pellets but have mixed my own too in the past. I bought a 10 kg bag from marriages which will do 2 worming sessions 3 months appart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 SueChick you need to check the date on the medicated pellets as they often have a very short date. Mine would not last long enough to do a second round of worming. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueChick Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I should have said that when I bought the pellets the lady at marriages said that they would be fine to use in three months - she said something about an error in the recording of the use by date - I think it was to do with legislation but that it was wrong somehow. Anyway, feel free to call them and check but she assured me that this issue had been addressed before and that they were fine for a second use as long as they are stored well sealed in a dry place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickanne Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 You can cover their normal layers pellets with a smidge of oil (they love codliver oil and it good for them) so that they get "sticky". Then you sprinkle on the flubenvet powder and mix thoroughly. I weigh out all of the ingredients carefully and do it in my largest mixing bowl (only got the 3 girls so do 2Kg). The flubenvet needs to be on the pellets so that it is constantly in their guts for a whole week to kill the worms. A week without treats sound harsh but worth it, especially if you think that they come into contact with wild bird poo all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
