My hens are here!!!

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Victoria Plum, Sep 6, 2010.

  1. Victoria Plum

    Victoria Plum Gardener

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    OK - So supposing I wanted to make them a semi permanent area on the veg bed when I've harvested everything when winter arrives.

    I could put the house and run on the veg bed - but then what. Put down a layer of some kind of bark? How do I then keep the bark clean? I need some help with this idea!

    Also - I tried giving them a sturdy large seed tray filled with wood ash, but they just seemed to eat bits of ash!!

    Would an old washing up bowl work?
     
  2. Blueroses

    Blueroses Gardener

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    VP I dont have chickens myself, so probably shouldn't really comment, but I feel like I do because I have a lot of contact with my friends ones. They use the bark chippings as have been mentioned, then go in and scoop up the little presents regularly and put it in the compost ( and save some for me for my compost. It makes the compost degrade fast )

    As Sussexgardener says, they absolutely adore dust baths in the bark. They make craters in it and shuffle about almost laying on their backs sometimes. All of their four hens pitch in together and yes, make purring sounds. It must feel great to them :gnthb:
     
  3. Sussexgardener

    Sussexgardener Gardener

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    What Blueroses suggests works fine - once a week go in and remove the larger droppings you can see, then rake over the woodchips. The deeper you make the layer of woodchips, the longer they will last and the happier the chickens will be. Homebase do bags of bark and woodchips at a reasonable price. Added bonus - when the woodchips get really filthy and/or in Spring when they can go back on grass, rake up the woodchips and spread on garden.

    Children's play sand also works well when mixed with old compost to make a dust bath. Once they get the idea, they'll use it constantly.

    Feel free to post some pics if you need more advice.
     
  4. geoffhandley

    geoffhandley Gardener

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    I used to put wood chips outside the pop hole but they just threw them everywhere. However I spilt some wood shavings while cleaning them out and that works quite well at keeping their feet reasonably clean when they go in the house.
    Most of the poop will be on the veg bed so you just dig it over - i use a rotovator. Digging with a spade is difficult as they get in the way and stand on the soil as you lift it. The advantage of a rotovator is they all run away but come back like vultures when the engine stops.
     
  5. Victoria Plum

    Victoria Plum Gardener

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  6. MartinHp71

    MartinHp71 Gardener

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  7. JanG

    JanG Gardener

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    0) I think your girlies are lovely, I presume they are all girls.

    I have four, but they are just productions reds, but nonetheless get four eggs most days, more than enough for two of us, and bake up quiches and such when we have too many. :yho:

    Good luck and enjoy they are lots of fun
     
  8. Victoria Plum

    Victoria Plum Gardener

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    Well, I have now had a go at raking out the run with tha plastic rake, opening the top door, and that worked really well :thumb:

    I am seriously considering the permanent winter run idea - I think it is the best option when it gets really murky. So I'll be no doubt checking I've done it right nearer the time :scratch:

    I've noticed a bit of rivalry going on. I have heard of 'pecking order' and at first Betty seemed to be top dog. Nessa is the smallest and frankly she doesn't give a stuff about being boss. But Fedorie has started trying to peck Betty occassionaly when they are out in the pen, they flap and square up to each other every now and then. Is this just them asserting themselves and working out the pecking order?

    I think because they are Silkies, and still getting their adult plumage, they often have little fluffy feathers hanging off, and I find them in the house. I presume this is normal.

    Does anyone know if this is usual?

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by MartinHp71 [​IMG]
    Doesn't the side open ?

    Yes and dwarves can get in and stand up fine!!!
     
  9. Sussexgardener

    Sussexgardener Gardener

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    Adult plumage on Silkies is still fluffy! Only the primaries on the wings and a few stubbly tail feathers are 'normal' - the rest is fluff. In a good 'example' of a Silkie that is of course.

    Yes, they continue to have mini-moults until about 20 weeks old. Then it stops until next autumn, unless they go broody (which they will) and then they have another mini moult afterwards. A proper moult can look rather scary - fully feathered birds on day, next morning the hen house looks like a fox attack and you may have semi naked chickens! Although Silkies are good at moulting decorously, almost one feather at a time, unlike some breeds that go for full frontal nudity!
     
  10. Val..

    Val.. Confessed snail lover

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    Oh these are just gorgeous!!! LOVE them!! :luv:

    Val
     
  11. Victoria Plum

    Victoria Plum Gardener

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    :skp:

    Ooops.... I've got two more chickens!
     
  12. Sussexgardener

    Sussexgardener Gardener

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    Pardon??


    Told you chickens were addictive. Please be careful with overcrowding though - this can lead to behaviour issues, such as feather pecking and bullying.

    What did you get?
     
  13. Victoria Plum

    Victoria Plum Gardener

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    We ordered two more when we got the others, thinking it would take ages for her to get them ready for us.. but someone changed their order and we were able to get them at the weekend!

    How long does it take them to settle in? They're all being horrid to each other! She did say it would ruin the pecking order for a bit.

    We are done now, at 5.

    I was going to let them into the pen today, but I don't know if I should leave them in the run for a bit longer to get used to each other. Any ideas?

    A bearded black - Dorothy
    [​IMG]

    And a white - Lucy ('cos she is rather goosey!)

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Sussexgardener

    Sussexgardener Gardener

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    It's best to keep them seperate if you possibly can for two weeks to avoid potential disease issues. I'm sure they are perfectly healthy, but adding additional stock does come with a risk - the two weeks gives you a chance to observe the newbies and the time for any colds or sniffles to appear - then you can treat them only and not the whole lot!

    Introductions are difficult. You have interrupted the pecking order and there will be fights, pecks and stand offs. When they do meet, it's best to a) add the new girls at night time, popping them on the perch when the others are asleep and b) standing back, let them get on with sorting out the pecking order and only stepping in if blood gets drawn! It looks and sounds worse than it is. Additional food and water containers make this a lot easier too, so all can eat and drink.

    During the segregation period, if you can keep the newbies in sight of the others it helps them get used to each other. And of course, as big a space for them to run around in helps too! Perhaps try a proper introduction when you have the time to let them out in the garden?
     
  15. Victoria Plum

    Victoria Plum Gardener

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    They're from same flock as our other girls, but they've obviously forgotten each other!
    I've just opened the door to the pen, so they have more room!

    We've no room to separate.... maybe it's a good thing that it wasn't too long before they turned up, they'd have been even more settled.
     
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