Winter Tips for Chooks....

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Mavis

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Re: Winter Tips for Chooks....
« Reply #90 on: December 21, 2011, 21:48 »
Hello, just joined the site and just want to say how informative I am finding it.  I haven't much expertise on chickens as I only look after my daughters girlies two days a week and they are a delight.  I am going to make them a winter bathing area in the greenhouse so that they can have a dust bath.  What do you think I should use for this?
Mavis

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SMS6

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Re: Winter Tips for Chooks....
« Reply #91 on: December 22, 2011, 09:12 »
I have raised beds of normal compost in my greenhouse and at the minute the girls have their run attached to the greenhouse for extra space and protection from the weather.  they seem content to bathe in the beds.

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bygrace

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Re: Winter Tips for Chooks....
« Reply #92 on: January 01, 2012, 20:25 »
I use all the old earth from the tubs and hanging baskets where the annuals have now died. I dry it in the greenhouse, then it takes a fair bit of breaking up, but they seem to love it.

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Abacus

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Re: Winter Tips for Chooks....
« Reply #93 on: January 06, 2012, 20:42 »
hi has anyone used hot water bottles before?

i have these mini hot water bottles, about a third of a standard size one i guess, about 6 inches long 4 inches wide. i was wondering if i could put one of these in the coop to war1m the coop/stop the water freezing? i have a woolen cover for it that would stop them burning on it

thanks

I just use old pop bottles - seems to do the trick okay. Certainly placing a couple in the hen house causes a certain amount of shuffling to get a good warm position around the bottles.
TTFN Jim
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dancingbillie

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Re: Winter Tips for Chooks....
« Reply #94 on: March 08, 2012, 10:33 »
When I first had hens I used to have rats coming in to steal the hens feed.  Then I bought a rat proof Solway feeder.  It's brilliant.  I haven't seen a rat near Cluckingham Palace for about 18 months, not even in winter.  The hens learn very quickly how to use it and there are never any pellets left on the floor when it's their bed time:-)

http://www.solwayfeeders.com/products/solway-40kg-dumpy-barrel-self-feed-hopper-psf0027-c398.html

You can use them inside or outdoors,  Mine is indoors

The only time I ever see a mouse (and that isn't often!) is when one of the hens has found one, killed it and is eating it.

Valerie and the Fab Five & the 14 feathered ladies of Cluckingham Palace

My Motto: Live your life in such a way that in the morning,
when your feet hit the floor, Satan shudders and says...
"Oh dodo! She's awake!"

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ANHBUC

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Re: Winter Tips for Chooks....
« Reply #95 on: March 08, 2012, 11:10 »
When I first had hens I used to have rats coming in to steal the hens feed.  Then I bought a rat proof Solway feeder.  It's brilliant.  I haven't seen a rat near Cluckingham Palace for about 18 months, not even in winter.  The hens learn very quickly how to use it and there are never any pellets left on the floor when it's their bed time:-)

http://www.solwayfeeders.com/products/solway-40kg-dumpy-barrel-self-feed-hopper-psf0027-c398.html

You can use them inside or outdoors,  Mine is indoors

The only time I ever see a mouse (and that isn't often!) is when one of the hens has found one, killed it and is eating it.



Thanks for that link.  It holds 2 sacks of feed so would save on storage as well.  Just adding it to my wanted list.   :)
Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens!
Bagpuss RIP 1992 - June 2012, 1 huge grass carp (RIP "Jaws" July 2001 - December 2011), 4 golden orfe, 1 goldfish and 1 fantail fish (also huge)! plus 4 Italian quail, 1 Japanese quail, 1 Rosetta quail.

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jhub

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Re: Winter Tips for Chooks....
« Reply #96 on: April 19, 2012, 08:27 »
I know we're not going to have problems with drinking water freezing over for a few months but I was in my local pet shop yesterday and found a product that stops bird bath water from freezing over, it states it's safe for drinking and effective to -4. The only problem is I can't remember what it's called!
Will update when I next visit.

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ANHBUC

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Re: Winter Tips for Chooks....
« Reply #97 on: April 19, 2012, 15:18 »
I know we're not going to have problems with drinking water freezing over for a few months but I was in my local pet shop yesterday and found a product that stops bird bath water from freezing over, it states it's safe for drinking and effective to -4. The only problem is I can't remember what it's called!
Will update when I next visit.

It probably has glycerin in it but have a read of this first as it is mentioned.

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=48390

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jhub

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Re: Winter Tips for Chooks....
« Reply #98 on: April 20, 2012, 00:45 »
Thanks ANHBUC, I'll check when I'm next there.

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symonep

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Re: Winter Tips for Chooks....
« Reply #99 on: July 03, 2012, 22:24 »
looks like we will be skipping summer this year and just having the 3 seasons instead.
part of the run that isnt covered over turned into a mud bath and the bark we put down just made it worse and i am sure i read it wasnt recommended for chickens so i went to the local saddlery and got a bag of Easibed  (like woodchip) and laid this down and it worked a treat. It was £6 for a huge bag and i still have half a bag left.

Just thought i would pass it on incase anyone else was finding bark just as bad as mud!
Gained an allotment on the 19th June 08, 135ft by 40ft! eekk. Finally after 4 years it is looking like an allotment and not a jungle

We have 5 lovely hens in the garden, fish, 2 dogs and 2 canaries

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andy46

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Re: Winter Tips for Chooks....
« Reply #100 on: August 22, 2012, 21:13 »
I have read on another site that putting apple cider vinegar in your drinkers helps as it raises the temp by about 1-2 c. Dont know if anyone has tryed it  :) or just a gimmick to sell more in the winter...
Pull up a perch!!

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joyfull

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Re: Winter Tips for Chooks....
« Reply #101 on: August 23, 2012, 10:31 »
As you don't add very much ACV it wouldn't make much difference.
Staffies are softer than you think.

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andy46

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Re: Winter Tips for Chooks....
« Reply #102 on: August 23, 2012, 12:13 »
so just a gimmick then joyfull lol :) :) i have never used it, why do you put it in ??

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joyfull

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Re: Winter Tips for Chooks....
« Reply #103 on: August 23, 2012, 12:56 »
it is good for their digestive system amongst other things  :)

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andy46

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Re: Winter Tips for Chooks....
« Reply #104 on: September 03, 2012, 20:16 »
Got some acv joyfull and they love it. my wife says they are better looked after than her :) :)



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