Hilarious

slowef · « **on:** December 04, 2007, 09:35 »

Thought I would make the chickens some porridge today to mix their shell in and warm them up. I have never given them it before but it went down a treat.

A case of stand well back though they flicked it everywhere

Selkie · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2007, 10:06 »

mine do that too! it's so funny - and then they spend the rest of the day looking for the little bits that are scattered all over the place -- hours of fun

Fat Hen · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2007, 20:03 »

Is that "real" porridge or using their mash/pellets?

I find it funny when they come in the house in the morning, they head straight for the dog bowls (wether or not a dog is in the process of having breakfast), one of them will nick a dog biscuit and scarper with the other 4 following in hot pursuit chasing all over garden, the one with the biscuit, even though there are plenty left in bowl. Daft creatures.

westie · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2007, 22:14 »

What do you put in their'porridge'?
ours seemed to go off the porridge so I stopped making it....might have been because it froze solid last time I made it! :shock:

slowef · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2007, 23:07 »

I had some ready brek that was past its date by a few days so I made it up for them and mixed the dried eggs shells I had crushed up into it. They seemed to like it and a good way to give them their "grit" at the same time although they have shell in the house as well but it never seems to go down :?

I have several hens that have started laying, my Rocks and a Silkie/Sussex cross, surprised at this time of year but the others showing signs of starting too, my Rocks have very red/ floppy combs when in lay

daveinmanc · « **Reply #5 on:** December 05, 2007, 00:29 »

sounds like fun lol

i have a question about oyster grit . . . . . . .

now we didnt quite manage to get our ducks yesterday as they didnt have any at chelford

however . . . . we did speak to a very nice chap who is a breeder and he's bringing some next week so monday is D day so to speak lol

now then, they will be approx 6 months old which i thought wasnt a bad age to start with as we wouldnt have to worry as much about them being ok in bad weather etc as theyd be 'waterproof' etc, but, re the oyster shell, WHEN should it be given age wise and if say, we half fill our feeder (the portugal one i bought, 5 kilo capacity) with 2 kilo's of feed, how much grit to that if its layers pellets and mixed grain feed??

slowef · « **Reply #6 on:** December 05, 2007, 04:11 »

Hi Dave, I was talking chickens for the porridge with shell in but ducks need it to although I find mine seem to manage very hard shell eggs from what they pick up round the pond and in their enclosure.

With regard to this feeder, Ducks are greedy and if you fill it they will just keep going till they pop :? I give mine approx a teacup of feed twice a day per bird (these are big birds I am talking about, adjust for whatever you get,, ask who you buy from) and they forage for extras.

I am sure others will be along to correct me if thats wrong but if they get to fat its not good for their legs. If you mean to eat them then you can fatten them up but ask Munty about rations for that as don't eat mine. This is how I do it others will have their own ideas but mine are looking good on it :oops:

daveinmanc · « **Reply #7 on:** December 05, 2007, 16:27 »

hello again sandra, yes i did realize you were talking about chickens but with you mentioning you had ducks before now, i thought i'd ask re the ducks.

i thought they'd have gone through more grain than that but its been so long since i've had any contact with them that you just forget. i know they'll top thereselves up on anything thats not nailed down

so reading between the lines i guess just a 'sprinkle' of grit in with the food or around the pen for them to scratch about for then . . . .

they're not for the table by the way lol . . . . .

so lets say the ducks are around 6 months old, if they're not laying yet then do they still need it NOW or is that something you'd give them nearer the time when they're due to start

thank you

slowef · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2007, 17:44 »

Think its the same as chickens in that respect, they need it to help digest food and clean the gullet, but I have seen a warning not to give it as it can cause kidney problems in non laying birds.

Have a look at these sites
http://www.forthebirdsdvm.com/ducks.htm

http://www.uq.edu.au/_School_Science_Lessons/Duckproj.html

daveinmanc · « **Reply #9 on:** December 07, 2007, 00:31 »

great links sandra thank you

ya learn just a little more as each day goes by . . . . . . .

slowef · « **Reply #10 on:** December 07, 2007, 08:43 »

Don't we all my love :oops:

Its nice learning with such lovely subjects though

Hilarious

Selkie