[stamford]

Hi all, long time no chat.... Credit crunch at work so spending fewer hours on here 

Anyways, just a couple of quickies... My hens have started eating their grit like theres no tomorrow    Is this normal for this time of year ? Also, they now throw all of their hay/straw out of the nest boxes into the sleeping box and into the runs, whats occuring ?

[Roughlee Handled]

NO hay as this contains dust spores and chickens are susceptible to chest infections. As to your other problems I have no clue.

[bunch29]

Hiya
I have just got three ex bats and all they do is throw all the straw out the nesting box and into the sleeping box too! cant be comfortable to lay on   but here again  I suppose its luxory compared with what they are used to wierd 

[linzechris]

Yes mine are eating loads of grit at the moment as well.

[WhatCameFirst]

Not sure about the grit thing, but ours regularly turf all their straw out of the nest boxes. There are no nasties, they just prefer laying eggies on cold vinyl to cosy straw and wood shavings.  :blink:

[mrsdirtyboots]

I know this will sound daft but is the straw different to what they're used to? 

It's just that I often use dried up grass clippings but they won't put up with it if there's any long thistly stuff mixed in.  Also I tried them on shredded paper and they took it all outside!  Very odd - I don't think our hens like change too much...

[raeburg]

Thank goodness I don't have the only chickens that like to chuck the straw out.  They leave the woodshavings in the bottom of the nest box but chuck all the straw out.  Perhaps it's a bat thing, my mums Light sussex don't do it!

[stamford]

Sorry, I meant straw but drew a blank on what I actually used  So no clues then on the grit eating, strange.... The straw issue is also a strange one, I havent changed from what I started with.. They dont sleep in the nest boxes, always roost on the bar unless its fallen off onto the floor but the still sit on the bar even if its on the floor  Silly girls

[poultrygeist]

If the grit is poultry grit with limestone/oyster shell in, they may be stocking up on the calcium ready for a laying frenzy.

Ours tend to go for it when it's topped up every couple of days or so but then leave it.

I think anythign new is worth eating and then they get bored with it.

Rob