The grit does have oyster shell in it too. It does say not to give to chicks or pullets, smaller grit is available. I'm guessing I've bought the wrong thing - it was the only small container they had. Could I just mash it a little more with a pestle and mortar do you think?
I wasn't clear, what I meant by put it on the house, was my house next to the patio doors at about 5 foot, so it's ready to go in the morning when I'm rushing on my way out to work (Not the hen house). Was that the only comment about the feeder, is it a good one other than that? I don't think we have a huge rat problem in the village. We have seen one, once. I know on the outskirts they do, but they're coming in off the old munitions dump and that's about half a mile away.
I have bought 1x1/2" weld mesh as I was told this is what was needed for rat issues and over the next week or two we're going to dig it into the ground and line the bottom half of the fence. I have also lifted the house up on supported stilts, so the ladies have some shelter until we build a roof and so it doesn't help harbour vermin.
I don't think we will have an issue with rats, but I want to be as careful as possible as I'm sure neither the neighbours or children would appriciate me encouraging them in.
I think since I'm only getting 3 girls, I'll hold off buying another feeder for the time being and see how they get on. I can always put a bowl out or nip down to the farm shop if bullying is an issue, but thanks for pointing it out. I didn't even consider needing 2 stations.
So....here's the new plan, unless you tell me different.
Mash the grit and shell a little and stick in the run in a little container. Don't put corn in a container, just a little sprinkled by the children of an evening as a treat.
Buy that feeder & the 3lt drinker & some ACV. Add ACV every couple of weeks, be aware I may need a second station.
Finally, what do you do about hanging your veggies up? Just with some string and attach to the weld mesh? Is there any veggies they can't have? I'm just thinking if I go to the supermarket and they have ther just about to turn really cheap stuff, can I essntially give them anything from that isle?