Mim Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Hi I'm a newbie and wondering, is it normal for the girls to go into the coop and kick out their bedding? They also seem to be eating some of it. They are on organic layers feed, I give them mixed corn and live mealworms as treats and occasionally the porridge recipe found on the blog here. They're all healthy and lively and at least one of them is laying. I got them as POL this November. Many thanks in advance 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Ours used to love making a mess with theirs. We put boards round the base of the run in the end in an attempt to contain the mess. They scratch and peck at whatever they are standing in and are bound to eat some. Avoid giving them bedding with long fibres or long shredded paper that could get stuck in their crops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 They are looking for something Mim. Either there is some kind of insect (dust or red mites), seeds, spilled feed or something they think is edible in the bedding (or they are very bored). We had some aubiose bedding with small black seeds in it, which ours used to dig for. We had one hen laid softies in the night and then ate them, together with the wood shavings soaked in egg. Unfortunately, being a bantam, her system couldn't cope with those solid lumps and digestive impaction was the result. Are there any traces of soft eggshell in there? We've switched to newspaper for bedding now; not shredded, just laid on the surface. Very easy to clean out as the whole lot will compost. Also very easy to spot if there are any digestive problems impending; far earlier than waiting until they actually show signs of being ill, which is usually too late. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mim Posted December 30, 2018 Author Share Posted December 30, 2018 4 hours ago, Beantree said: They are looking for something Mim. Either there is some kind of insect (dust or red mites), seeds, spilled feed or something they think is edible in the bedding (or they are very bored). We had some aubiose bedding with small black seeds in it, which ours used to dig for. We had one hen laid softies in the night and then ate them, together with the wood shavings soaked in egg. Unfortunately, being a bantam, her system couldn't cope with those solid lumps and digestive impaction was the result. Are there any traces of soft eggshell in there? We've switched to newspaper for bedding now; not shredded, just laid on the surface. Very easy to clean out as the whole lot will compost. Also very easy to spot if there are any digestive problems impending; far earlier than waiting until they actually show signs of being ill, which is usually too late. 5 hours ago, ajm200 said: Ours used to love making a mess with theirs. We put boards round the base of the run in the end in an attempt to contain the mess. They scratch and peck at whatever they are standing in and are bound to eat some. Avoid giving them bedding with long fibres or long shredded paper that could get stuck in their crops Hi I've got auboise in the coop and there's wood chip in the run. It's just funny how sometimes as soon as I've put the new bedding in they kick it out 😮 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mim Posted December 30, 2018 Author Share Posted December 30, 2018 Hi Beantree I've just thought, maybe they're picking out the dried lavender I mix in with the auboise. There's no sign of mites or any other critters and their eggs are fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted December 30, 2018 Share Posted December 30, 2018 5 hours ago, Mim said: I think the big ones are worse than the bantams. One of ours hated hemp in the nesting box and would push as much out as possible or just give up and lay on our coir doormat. No idea how coir was softer than hemp. In the end I bought a cross cut shredder and used to shred newspaper for her. Spoilt little lady 5 hours ago, Mim said: Hi Beantree I've just thought, maybe they're picking out the dried lavender I mix in with the auboise. There's no sign of mites or any other critters and their eggs are fine. Probably see it as a challenge. Most but not all are intelligent and inquisitive although I definitely had a couple that were incredibly dumb. Also had one go very short sighted and she was just comical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 They are just sorting through it and re-arranging to their liking. Scratching around is also an essential social past-time for poultry; it doesn't mean that they don't like it. Avoid using any straw, hay or shredded paper though as this can cause crop impaction among other things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted December 31, 2018 Share Posted December 31, 2018 Could well be the lavender encouraging them Mim. We harvested some last year and put bunches in the wood store to discourage mice (internet said it would). Two things happened; firstly, it had no effect on the mice whatsoever and secondly, the free ranging chickens went in every morning to eat the seeds that had dropped off overnight, digging up the wood chippings and bark to search for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
