PixieDust Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Is it too early to think about a little corn in their diet? We are looking to reintroduce Lily back into the flock on Saturday. She seems to be moulting on her neck. Pixie's feathers are not growing back as I hoped on her chest. Winnie's feathers are coming but slow. They have been wormed this week so no treats or FR. Winnie has tried escaping a couple of times. They obviously need extra protein for feather growth. I hope Lily doesn't start up again as it seems like the nights may be getting a little colder now. Plus the dog crate is taking up a lot of room in the run and makes cleaning out awkward and quite time consuming. Has she been in the sin bin long enough? To be honest she seems to have coped quite well, but the other 2 seem so lost without her. We are also adding a load more sand to the run on Saturday as over the year they have decimated the back of the run and they have flipped up the membrane and when it rains heavily we have a river there. I can't say I am surprised as OH did scrimp on the sand and tried telling me there was more than their actually was! However, apart from that, the sand has been extremely successful. We get almost no smell and it's a huge dust bath for them, plus their feet remain clean, except for recently when they have been digging up the soil at the back of the run. The home that my mum is in recently got 2 hybrids; light Sussex and cuckoo Marans. He has put the run and coop on concrete slabs. They don't have a huge space to be honest. However, the smell!!!! Certainly recommend sand and poo picking every day from the run and coop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 I wouldn't add corn until they have finished moulting Pixiedust. It has about 8% protein and therefore reduces their overall protein intake if they eat it. Mealworms or sunflower hearts would help now I think. We used to rear our chicks on kiln dried sand and it works very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Does tha place where your mum is have anything on top of the slabs? Just wondering because my idea is membrane - sand - slabs - wood chip. But I don't want it to smell because so far on soil / grass mine never have (I have and will continue to muck out every day where I can). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixieDust Posted September 25, 2015 Author Share Posted September 25, 2015 No nothing on top of the slabs at all. To be honest membrane and sand is working well with regards smell for me. I guess if you have woodchip on top of the slab you'll need quite a bit which may prove costly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HampshireGardener Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 My run is on paving slabs and has a wooden slat across the middle which effectively makes two halves as I can close doors across if I bring new hens in whilst they get used to each other. I have filled half with deep Equinola Bedwell rape straw and the other half in quite deep sharp sand. If they kick lots of the rape straw In to the sand half, it helps to absorb the poop and I just rake it off and put it in the compost. I add a bag of sand every now and then to replace what I might have removed with the poop and I change the rape straw every few months. My hens are very happy as they have cosy cushioned warmth at one end, and a play area, sand dust bath and latrine at the other! I also put their water in the sand end so they don't kick the bedding into it. I find this is the best solution for me and my girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Thanks both. I thought I had all my decisions made - I ought to have because I'm starting it tomorrow - but now I'm unsure again! Definitely weed membrane and then sand to level. But then what? Either slabs and woodchip, or turf protector and woodchip (already have a load of hardwood chips). Or something altogether different Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixieDust Posted September 25, 2015 Author Share Posted September 25, 2015 Seriously, give sharp sand a try. It dries out poop, giant dust bath, it's and edible grit, good for their feet, helps drain away and wet and you can sieve the poop out. Plus no real smell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Pixie dust I was ready to try your idea until yesterday when I found what I'm pretty sure is a fox poo right beside the run. So I'm going for slabs because I know that way there's no possibility of the sandy whiskered gentleman digging his way in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 I have dug my slabs in a bit. No so much for mister fox, but the ladies digging their way out. I dug a whole about 15 cm deep and placed some bricks on the edges of the slabs. Filled it back up with dirt, but you could use sand I guess. The trouble for me is that my run isn't covered permanently, so the sand would get soggy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixieDust Posted September 26, 2015 Author Share Posted September 26, 2015 Cat tails idea of slab edges and sand inside is good. I do have a covered run. The wire mesh is not only dug in about 6" or so but also has about a 10" skirt. Unfortunately OH messed up the roof by not putting an overhang on the back. The water just pours in. He now has to take the roof off and turn the plastic sheeting around so the overhang is on the back. Some of you may remember the arguments I had with him. Everything I said came to pass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
