The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: storm35 on August 18, 2010, 03:28:16 pm
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That i can add to their pen to make things interesting for them?
Thank you
Chris
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I'm sure they would enjoy a billiards room or a dart board ::) ::) Sorry, couldn't help myself. :)
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Ofcourse I should have added my advice too. Are they getting outside at all because they do love to get a dig on the grass?
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;D ;D Piles of leaves and sticks and brances as bugs get under them and in them and they can scratch around..mine roam around and I often go out to move a few branches and they love bug collecting.
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Ofcourse I should have added my advice too. Are they getting outside at all because they do love to get a dig on the grass?
Lol, no i have not put them outside yet, was told they need to have feathers before i put them out, and what do you put them in to go out at such a small age, the chicken run has chickne wire am sure they could get out of, as they are tiny?
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Ofcourse I should have added my advice too. Are they getting outside at all because they do love to get a dig on the grass?
Lol, no i have not put them outside yet, was told they need to have feathers before i put them out, and what do you put them in to go out at such a small age, the chicken run has chickne wire am sure they could get out of, as they are tiny?
So if i get my daughter to go out and find some leaves and sticks and put them in pen?
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My recent hatch is coming up for 2 weeks old and have been outside with mum sonce day 2/3 - just for short times to start with and now they spend all day out in a secure run and they just love it. You could let them out for short times and let them browse if you are there with them at all times and they will love it. Sandys suggestion of twigs and leaves in their box is also a good one. I like to let them outsode and have them near the adults so they all get used to eachother and this seems to work well too.
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I pick grass, and clover leaves for my chicks, and they love scratching about with their mum, and eat the lot!! I usually let mine out once they are safe from hawks, cats etc. but even the bigger ones have been taken, so keeping them in for a few more weeks to be safe.
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I use a rabbit/guinea pig arc that I have attached smaller holed wire to and any warm day I pop them out on the lawn to do what nature intended. The chicks I have had that don't get the chance to go out when small seem to take longer to grow.
When they get bigger you could hang veg for them to jump at and eat, my friend has a mirro attached to the side of the coup and they love it.
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Now all chicks love mirrors not pool tables ;)
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Thank you, they have no mum, and also another question i have in my run, since it has been built for a month or so now, the grass is knee high and has weeds with flowers, will i need to get this cut down?
I dont have anything to put them in for outside, and i have 2 cats, which would not get them if in run, but scared incase they get lost in the long grass lol or get out the holes.
So if i found a mirror, can hang it over the bars for them??
ETS i tried few wee twigs and bits of leaves and what a noise they made lol they were terrified of them, lol so i took them out after a while as they moved well out the way from them.
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hang an onion sack full of veg just in reach, or get a large haggis wheel these are a lot bigger than a hamster wheel and are used to excersise haggis but are big enough for hens, the bars are closer together.
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hang an onion sack full of veg just in reach, or get a large haggis wheel these are a lot bigger than a hamster wheel and are used to excersise haggis but are big enough for hens, the bars are closer together.
Thank you for that, will hunt on the net for one, what kind of veg, just anything?? Tattie peelings? carrots? what other veg are good for them and does not give ducks the runs? lol Mind i have a duck in there.
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we hang cabbages from a low branch so they jump up and peck it, so funny to watch now though :chook:because they know that to save time they can peck the string to break it so it falls to floor and then just eat off the floor, they are so lazy!!!!
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we hang cabbages from a low branch so they jump up and peck it, so funny to watch now though :chook:because they know that to save time they can peck the string to break it so it falls to floor and then just eat off the floor, they are so lazy!!!!
Is this for older chickens, as these are only about 2 weeks old?
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i have never had chickens that young so wouldnt like to say but i cant see why you cant just hang them a bit lower and perhaps slighly smaller cabbages or even just a bundle of salad leaves, whatever you have, no harm in trying i suppose :-\
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Don't forget the chick grit!
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Don't forget the chick grit!
Chick grit?? Was not told about any of that, what is it and why do they need it? Where will i get it, never saw any at dobbies?
Thank you
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I think it's generally flint, but it's much smaller than the normal grit you get for chooks. Most farm supplies will sell it. It acts as their teeth and helps them grind up stuff - particularly important when they start eating greens, foraging etc
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I have an arrangement of various sized logs and large stones in my broody run, which I make into something like a mini assault course. They love climbing on things and playing 'King of the Castle'. I change the arrangement every other week, but they are feathered up enough to run with the rest of the hens by 4 weeks old. Hanging lettuce or cabbage is good too, and the odd raspberry from the garden is fought over with tenacity ;D
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hang an onion sack full of veg just in reach, or get a large haggis wheel these are a lot bigger than a hamster wheel and are used to excersise haggis but are big enough for hens, the bars are closer together.
just thinking of haggis's on a wheel. ;D
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I think it's generally flint, but it's much smaller than the normal grit you get for chooks. Most farm supplies will sell it. It acts as their teeth and helps them grind up stuff - particularly important when they start eating greens, foraging etc
Thank you, so how much do i add, do i just sprinkle this on the sawdust? What do i ask for grit for chicks?
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Oyster shell grit is probably best and mixed in with feed along with a separate pot full. I also feed egg shells back that have been cooked and crushed up real fine. My birds are 5 months old tho'.
Ian
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Oyster shell grit is probably best and mixed in with feed along with a separate pot full. I also feed egg shells back that have been cooked and crushed up real fine. My birds are 5 months old tho'.
Ian
So if i find a supplier of oyster shell, put some in the feed and extra bowl of it on its own? Is this safe for ducklings aswell?
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Oyster shell grit is probably best and mixed in with feed along with a separate pot full. I also feed egg shells back that have been cooked and crushed up real fine. My birds are 5 months old tho'.
Ian
So if i find a supplier of oyster shell, put some in the feed and extra bowl of it on its own? Is this safe for ducklings aswell?
I've only got chooks so I can't say about ducks. Your local pet shop should sell the grit......we do!
Ian
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You need to get grit specifically for chicks if they are very young - oyster shell isn't small enough and may choke them - unless you can be bothered to grind it up !
You can buy chick grit by the scoopful in our local farm supplies. My chicks have this until they are about 7 weeks old.
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You need to get grit specifically for chicks if they are very young - oyster shell isn't small enough and may choke them - unless you can be bothered to grind it up !
You can buy chick grit by the scoopful in our local farm supplies. My chicks have this until they are about 7 weeks old.
Thank you, i was never told about grit, will it be ok for the duck aswell?