[Zak the Rabbit]

ok, so i pick up the girls tomorrow!

in the morning i will prepare the house, but i also have to collect the oyster shell and poultry grit.

I have a few questions, just want to clarify a few points so i get things right, so im hoping you guys will put me straight before the morning -

so here goes -

bedding - im using shredded paper as i have a very good supply. How deep in the nestboxes, and how deep in the 'living' area?

cider vinegar in water, how much? any particular brand/type?

grit/oyster - how to give - trays in the run?

food - just outside house? or inside?

should i create a covered area in the run under which food etc go?

feeding extra protein (ie maggots) if from fishing shop, what type? how many/often?



thats all for now, i wrote them all down but cant find the paper! these are the critical ones! just want to make sure i feed them properly and make them comfortable to settle in

[Fat Hen]

I use wood shavings (dust extracted) in the hen house.  I put in about 1-2 inch.

A tblespoon/litre?  I use whatever i can get.

I put oyster grit in a spare dog bowl (iv'e told the dogs it's not for them) their pellets goes in a similar spare dog bowl.

My chooks have a completely covered (fox/dog/& other vicious critter proof) run I can shut them in if i'm/or other half not around.  But yes a covered area is desirable.

Maggots - undyed.  Mealworms good too.  I buy bulk (3kg a time - aunt sally recomended).

Mine have eaten all my grass so I give them cabbages (they love kale, spring cabbage and other dark loose leaved greens).

They are also partial to the leaves of my chillis, grapevine, aloe vera plants etc etc.  And have great fun racing me to the greenhouse before I can shut them out.

[Aunt Sally]

bedding - im using shredded paper as i have a very good supply. How deep in the nestboxes, and how deep in the 'living' area?
Just put some in, you can add more if it gets crushed down

cider vinegar in water, how much? any particular brand/type?
not critical, I use about 2ml per litre, It should be the unpurified stuff that you get fom the horse feed suppliers

grit/oyster - how to give - trays in the run?
I hand a coop cup up in the run under cover.

food - just outside house? or inside?
where ever is convienient to you but the feed must be kept dry and away from vermine

should i create a covered area in the run under which food etc go? It is a good idea to cover part of the run to give the chooks a dry place to scratch and dust bathe when the weather is bad

feeding extra protein (ie maggots) if from fishing shop, what type? how many/often?
just as a treat and when the need extra protein eg whe moulting.  Undyed maggots, mealworms, tinned tuna in spring water, scrambled egg.- they love them all and I spoil them

Don't forget to post some pictures Zac  

[Zak the Rabbit]

smashing advice! thanks

got to get guinea pig food in the morning as well so will ask at Hillam if they have the cider vinegar. They have other chook stuff, mite powder, layers pellets etc, although oddly not the oyster :?

I will knock them up a nice covered section for the food etc to go under, tall enough for them to go under easily, but also they could hop on top if they wanted. The run is just under 6ft and has a wire mesh roof.

got plenty spare ceramic dog bowls (the piggies/bunny use them as well)


great. Hopefully then piccies tomorrow evening, wait out!

[poultrygeist]

bedding - im using shredded paper as i have a very good supply. How deep in the nestboxes, and how deep in the 'living' area?
Just put some in, you can add more if it gets crushed down

Is there a risk they'll eat the paper ? ..and if so will it be a prob due to toner/ink on the paper ?

Just a thought. If it's ok we could prob shred some too !

I'm guessing anything like newsprint would be out ?

Rob

[Zak the Rabbit]

i dont think they would eat it. The piggies eat a bit, but they have a different digestive system.

I would think the chooks may have a nibble, think yuk, and leave it alone

[poultrygeist]

...in which case I'm up for trying some !!

As litter, not eating.

I'll dig the shredder out and put those old bills and statements to some good use.

And it's free.  

R