[Penninehillbilly]

When it was really bad weather one winter I was giving them ready grass (or something similar), a quick dried grass cut in short lengths. I put it in the bottom of their trough and their feed on top. It was always gone next morning.

[lord flynn]

We've put the geese in because it would have been impossible to even keep their water away from other birds, farless the grazing. And we have the space to do so.

Only issue is they aren't eating their food much but don't seem hungry for corn in the evening. I'm wondering if they are a bit depressed? Any ideas of something I can give them? They have a goose food mix and mixed corn in the evening.

Can I put some hay and straw in to give them a bit of shelter from the cold ground and maybe something else to nibble on?

Any boredom busters for chickens and geese?

Dans

my geese didn't eat much at first but seem fine now-they have a water bucket that I put in some apples, mixed corn and grit as well as some lettuce-the lettuce was the thing that seemed to get them going again! although they'll always eat apples and occasionally they get peas which they like. they do eat spring greens but not as avidly as the ducks and chickens. I am also soaking grass pellets for them-these are the Dengie horse ones but there are others.This is in addition tot he water they bathe in.
chickens get a slice of seed hay/straw with goodies chucked on it-I've never had a problem giving mine this (I do it anyway) and they have constant access to grit.

[Daisys Mum]

I culled 15 hens yesterday, was to be 20 but just couldn't do the bluebells, the rest are now in a stable and already looking happier than when they were stuck in their houses.
3 of my 5 geese are now plucked and hanging, unfortunately no room in the freezer for the 2 remaining.
Just going to have to wait like everyone else to see what's to happen at the end of the 30 days.

[Womble]

Don't worry Daisy's Mum, you're not the only one. Our geese have now been rendered immune to bird flu, with half of the hens to follow once I have the stomach for it .

[Dave C]

It's one thing culling out stock it's what we do when the time is right, but it's bad crack when your hand is forced.

But I'm thinking along the same lines as you guys 

[macgro7]

My remaining muscovies:

Now they have to be locked up but soon will end up as duck sausages! Well, as soon as I get my smoker working

[Marches Farmer]

Any boredom busters for chickens and geese?

Put in some logs for them to peck at/perch on, a bale of hay, a few objects like an upturned crate.  Rearrange them every day so their environment changes.   Scatter a very little corn at intervals through the day.  Hang up an old CD, cabbage stalk, branch with a few leaves on if you have any left, or hazel with catkins or next year's buds on it ...

[ColinS]

Has anyone else noticed that the BBC seem to be treating this story with zero interest. No mention on Radio 2 news of the Lincolnshire outbreak and you have to know about the story so you can hunt it out on their website under England/regions/Lincolnshire! - Not of national interest apparently (unlike the 'Strictly' result it seems)

[Womble]

Here's something to try - hang something like a strong bulldog clip up on a piece of rope, then attach treats like melon rind or cabbage leaves (Melon rind is great, because it looks as though the hens are playing chicken swingball. Just me? ok, never mind  ). Then once they've got the idea, raise the clip by an inch every couple of days.

We eventually bred a super race of ninja black rocks using this method, who would jump nearly three feet for a beakful of swiss chard! 

[Penninehillbilly]

I hung a cabbage in their run and they treat it as though it's going to attack them, put it in a dish and they still haven't touched it.
Might try a piece of bread in an unused 'fat ball' feeder, i like the swing all idea :-)

[in the hills]

My big layers devoured their cabbage in a day!

Seen on an ex batt forum, a small plastic drink bottle with small holes cut in and filled with corn. There was a video of the hens scratching it around. Might try that.

[Daisys Mum]

I've just been out scavenging for windfall crab apples and they are having great fun chasing them around.
Hoping to get some cabbages and lettuce for them later from Morrisons reduced bin!

[DavidandCollette]

In the hills- was the bottle just laid down in the run?

[in the hills]

Should you really throw them windfall apples though?

Presumably these are from an area open to wild birds so could be contaminated. I nearly did the same today but then thought the blackbirds had been pecking them!


Had to drive to Telford hospital today. Lots of chickens free ranging still!!!!!
All clearly visible from the main road, too!

Makes me a bit cross when mine are all stuck inside.

[in the hills]

Yes, bottle was just on the ground. I've popped one in for mine.

Suppose you could suspend one as well.