ian_osborne Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 We bought our three chickens (ISA Browns) yesterday and they seem to be very happy with their new surroundings - even taking themselves off to bed last night without 'coaxing'. My 6 year old daughter is 'over the moon'. I am feeding them on layers pellets (supplied with the new Eglu) but would like to give them some kitchen s"Ooops, word censored!"s. However I put a plastic bowl in the run yesterday afternoon with some sweetcorn and diced tomato. The chickens seemed to like it but it wasn't long before the bowl had been flipped over and most of the contents were being buried due to them scratching around. Can anyone recommend a feeder / method for giving the more moist treats (seeds and mealworms can be scattered to give them a challenge) that will be easy for the chickens to get at but diffucult for them to knock over and bury ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Hello and welcome to the forum. I think part of the fun for them is to scratch for their food....it is their natural behaviour. I use one of those bog standard heavy beige pot dog bowls to give them porridge ....they haven't tipped that yet, but they do still spread porridge everywhere. Hens are not dainty eaters. What have you called your girls? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Oooo when ours have a bit of boiled rice, I scatter a bit, then put the bowl in. The get their feet in it and tip it over, flinging it everywhere! No table manners at all! I love to see them scratching...this foot, that foot, step back & peck! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_osborne Posted September 16, 2007 Author Share Posted September 16, 2007 Thanks for the replies. It all makes sense now - I have just been out to check and scattered some sunflower hearts and was amused to see that one spotted them straight away - ate a few and then cheekily buried them before the other two turned up. I guess they'll dig them up later. As for names. Well - we can now spot the difference between them after 24hrs so names will follow soon. I'm now trying to work out how to add the chicken icons etc. in the forum. Cheers Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Mine are little madams with cooked pasta tubes (penne). I scatter them and they all grab & stash up their own individual piles in each corner of the cube run!!! Chickens are very entertaining and cheeky. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladylucan Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 I just throw mine all around the run and watch them all fight and scramble for it, . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pearsons Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Mine take treats from my hands...... Any bowl I have put in has been tipped ober then poo-ed on and sometimes broken. Helen in Hume Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bantam of the Opera Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 i just put out a small plate and they dont manage to tip that over but any that they do leave my dog comes out to steal. ~She doesnt like vegtables at all but she doesnt want thehcickens to have it either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petite70 Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 I am giving my hennys potato peelings but i am cooking them first as i heard you werent supposed to give it to them raw - any advice please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 I boil up all the veg peelings in a separate pan while I'm cooking our dinner. The chickens love them but DH thinks I'm crazy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 I boil up all the veg peelings in a separate pan while I'm cooking our dinner. The chickens love them but DH thinks I'm crazy! I put them in a big plastic jug and ping them in the microwave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arowland17 Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Mine like to step in their blue plastic treats bowl and tip whatever#s in it all over the floor!! I think it's done in excitement to get to the treats, yesterday the whole bowl went over in an argument over a piece of pasta, anyone would think I only put the 1 piece in there, they don't seem to see the rest of the bowlful, just the piece in the other one's beak! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 I put them in a big plastic jug and ping them in the microwave. That's a good idea. May have to try that, saves dirtying another pan. Although on sunday I had a 2litre pan full to the brim of carrot, potato and parsnip peelings as we had 8 for dinner. I couldn't have fit those in the microwave! The chickens will have the last of them today, so I'd better cook something involving peeled veg tonight or they will sulk tomorrow. Can't believe I am planning my meals around the chickens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flo Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 When I was at the big pet store buying my Aubiose I found some little feeders that will clip onto the run. I'm not sure if they are specifically for chickens, but they stop the girls from stepping in their porridge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutechicky Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Yes they are meant to be good as they can't tip them over. Mine seem fine with a heavy metal dog bowl. They can stand on it all they like and it wont tip over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Oooo when ours have a bit of boiled rice, I scatter a bit, then put the bowl in. The get their feet in it and tip it over, flinging it everywhere! No table manners at all! I love to see them scratching...this foot, that foot, step back & peck! Emma.x What a great description of exactly what they do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckyegg Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Hi sorry to change subject but how do you make their porridge? - I'm sure mine would love it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 I usually mix their pellets with hot water and it goes to mush, add some sweetcorn, chopped courgette and a garnish of parsley (joke) and they love it. You can also add raw porridge oats (quakers) to the pellets and add water. I usually do the oats if it is really cold at night, so they have sometime warm in their tummies before bedtime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arowland17 Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 ours love weetabix with warm water and oil - add enough so its very sloppy and they love it, then they step in it out of excitement and it goes all over the floor so they hoover it up from there instead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
