[norsewood]

Hi everyone,
Glad to find such a brilliant resource of information & I'm hoping you might help on a starting out issue. Getting 3 girlies from Omlet in a couple of weeks time & in the process of getting prepared. I live in Gillingham in Kent - anyone know of a good food supply outlet?
Having read & read lots of books, I remain confused as to whether to buy layers mash or layers pellets. They both seem to have pros & cons but what do you guys find is best or recommend? The girls are going to be in a cube with 2m run & free range for part of the late afternoon.
Also - grit! Do I buy it as a separate item & put it in a separate bowl or do you buy it mixed with the feed?
ALSO! Dust baths. I say a washing up bowl, my husband reckons on a cats litter tray! I like both ideas - but which is best? There's only one way to find out ............... fight!!
Lastly - what do you make the dust bath contents out of!?
Look forward to hearing from you. Many thanks in anticipation. 

[Jeanette]

Hello and welcome. I find the best for me is to use pellets instead of mash, it does'nt make so much mess  as the mash and it is easier to clean up. Give grit seperatly, i use a plant pot wired on to the side of the run. You will also need oyster shell which helps to harden the egg shell and i put it in another pot the same way as the grit. Chickens need grit as well because they have not got any teeth to grind the food with. As far as the dust bath i would use a bowl or a large flower pot, a cat litter tray will not be deep enough and i use part sand part soil, but they normally dig themselves a nice big hole somewere.

[joyfull]

but they normally dig themselves a nice big hole somewere.

usually somewhere that you will walk and twist your ankle   

[Nails]

Or where you have just planted flowers!!!!!
Welcome  to you.
I come from Gillingham, although i live in Somerset now