Chickens

Hi Roger

Welcome to the hen house

I leave Grit & oyster shell down at all times in dishes on the floor so that they can go and have a peck as and when they feel the need

In my coop I have sawdust on the floor and in the nest box, you can add straw to the nest box but Grannie Annie recently mentioned that this can sometimes cause respiratory problems Never put hay in as the hens will eat it and it can then lead to impacted crops

Sarah

we have straw in the nest box and newspaper under the perches.
It's easier to clean out - you just whip away the old newspaper in the morning and throw it in the compost, then put new paper down.

most hybrids should have 4 and a half ounces of layers' mash or pellets per hen per day(it's a personal preference as to which - most people think pellets are less messy) 
If they're on soil, then extra grit shouldn't be necessary, but you can get it from farm animal food shops if needs be.  Fill their feeder in the morning and let them help themselves.
they also like to have greens (that makes the yolk yellow), so hang up a cabbage or let them graze on grass.

I am an absolute beginner so here goes.  I recently bought a chicken coop with enough room for 8 chickens.  I will shortly be buying 3 one year old Warren hens and need some tips on feeding and bedding.  I have a bag of mixed corn, a bag of layers pellets and some grit.  Do I mix them in the feeder and in what proportions? Regarding bedding - do I spread it all over the floor of the chicken house or just in the nest box.

Any help really appreciated.

Hi, welcome to the people coop!!!

I have 6 hens in a transformed triple dog kennel.  Loads of room.  I put wood shavings on the floor and in the nesting boxes.  I put it about 5 inches deep (13cm) to start with and add to it as it gets flattened. Cleaning out doesn't need to be done as often, just keep adding the shavings.  Under the perch I put either newspaper or bits of cardboard which can be burned or added to the composter.
It's kinder to give them as much room as possible in the coop.  When the days get rainy and windy, especially in winter, the hens spend quite a bit of time indoors.
I use organic layers pellets and fill the feeders and leave them hanging in the coop so they can eat whenever they feel like it.  They get corns and grit mixed for their bedtime treat.  I just scatter it.  It's lovely to see them all come running, almost flying when they see me arrive with my little blue bowl of "treats"
My ladies won't touch greens.  Tomatoes yes, apples, pears and other fruits yes, but they were a bit wary of bits of banana!!! :blink:
I've started rearing my own meal worms, which they LOVE.  They cost a lot to buy, but to rear them costs only pennies.
Hope this helps 

Valerie

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