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

[Grandmashazzie]

I have just noticed my lot seem to be going through an enormous amount of food at the moment. Is it the cold weather. As they are confined to barracks I am worming. I mixed up 2 k yesterday at 11 and none last night. There are 5 bantams and 8 ordinary breeds e.g. Maran etc. If I give them another 2 k in morning and it's gone by lunchtime should I top up or leave them until Sunday. Many thanks.

[sjp]

my lot are the same I don't think it's the weather as it's not than cold here some of mine have started to lay in the last couple of weeks and a few more are showing sign of laying ans all but 2 have completed the moult I think it's down to the confinement as they aren't getting to find any extra food/protein like earth worms and slugs

my 4 meat birds i.e the spare boys who have been on lock down since October because they'd started to be pests were the girls were concerned are eating less over the last few weeks that the layers have stated to eat more

[mullethunter]

And mine. Easily more than they've ever eaten. I assumed it was because they are bored having nothing to do while shut in their run except eat!

[mollyripkim]

Same here, definitely getting through more pellets, think they always do in the winter anyway but guessing not being helped by not freeranging.

[mullethunter]

Just re-read and realised none of us answered your question.

 

I always let mine have as much as they want in the way of pellets. I don't know if that's right though.

[sjp]

I put the feed out each morning and leave them to it as they eat as and when they want to. I don't weight it out as such but I use an old meal worm tub and I roughly know how much I put into each feeder

Sundays a bit long to leave it, today (Saturday) would be better

[emmalou]

Just re-read and realised none of us answered your question.

 

I always let mine have as much as they want in the way of pellets. I don't know if that's right though.

 

I am not holding back on the pellets either. We have adopted two exbatts as well and they love their layer pellets with warm water. Lovely on a cold morning.

[Grandmashazzie]

I never weigh it usually,it's just as I am using flubenvet and I always top up. It's just the enormous amount they are going through and the huge amount of poo to clean that I wondered should they be rationed.

[Beantree]

Ours are eating a lot as well and the poo barrow needs emptying often. Think it's down to long cold nights and cool cloudy damp days; they just need the feed for warmth. I wouldn't suggest limiting their feed Grandmashazzie and would keep feed (and plenty of water) available all the time. Some of ours are coming out of a moult, so they will eat extra for that anyway.

[gavclojak]

To be honest I think mine are eating the same. Given they are awake a and out less hours I assume they are packing away as much as possible in that time.

 

Just a thought but could you be having any visitors?

[mullethunter]

I'm pretty sure I'm not. Well, actually I do have a mouse, but I don't think he eats hat much!

[sjp]

I'm pretty sure I'm not. Well, actually I do have a mouse, but I don't think he eats hat much!

same here but I think I've dealt with the mouse plus if something else wouldn't have gone up was eating the extra food the poo output

[Grandmashazzie]

I have wire meld WIR so couldn't have a rat, also on concrete slabs. I suppose a mouse could squeeze in but would he be able to squeeze out after all those pellets I will get OH to set some traps in WIR when girls are locked in.

[BridieLou]

Same thing here - they're gobbling like never before. I've also noticed their poos are far more pleasant(!) and firm. I can only assume it's down to the lack of free ranging and reduced slug and insect consumption!