The Poultry Keeper

nicklizzreeves · Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 16 Location: Erskine

hi all,

my wife and i are quite new to keeping poultry. we have bought a coop and run from the well known auction site, but already we know that the run at least is too small.

we have 2x black rock's and 2x rhode islands. hopefully there is a picture on here showing what we have coop and run wise and also useable space wise. all of the grassy area coop side of the path is going to become a run in the very near future.

what we would like to know is what sort of stimulus do hens need?? my wife said that hugh puts piles of stick in, hence the pile of sticks.

any help will be useful

thanks

nick

mojo · Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 4:12 pm Post subject:

chickens are basically ground living foragers so a a dust bath(kids play sand is fine) a bit of dug over soil..........a few green hung up head height(chickens not yours)........and a small handfull on mixed corn spread across the grass about teatime(ensures they eat pellets first)......lots of clean water.....................happy hens .good luck

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1406 Location: Manchester

I think that pile of sticks would be better on the ground stacked up like a log pile - that way they can roost on the sticks - I had some cheapo fencing, not sure what it's called but it's basically sticks held about 6" apart with twisted wire, it was rolled up on the ground and the chickens loved it, walking through ti, hiding behind it, perching on it - it's currently being used to keep them off the new plants but will definitely be keeping an eye out for more as they loved it so much.

they will get most of their stimulation from scratching round in the grass and playing with each other, greens in a basket or bunch as mojo says is good to keep them amused for a while - I feed mine live insects (I buy in bulk as I've got lizards) and they love it, seeds scattered in the grass is always good and things in there for them to perch on - mine have got a wooden chair which I got tired of cleaning the poop off, they perch on the armrests, backrest, seat and the bar underneath.

they definitely like perching on something a couple of feet high.

www.woodenart.org.uk · Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 51 Location: shropshire

Agree with adding something to perch on, hang up some greens, think about extending the run or at least move your set up around to different areas, they will soon scratch up your small Run space.

JC · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 1088 Location: Sussex

If you make the area there in larger i would suggest a 6ft fence atleast and probably a netted roof aswell, a fox could quite easily get over your back fence by the looks of it, just a suggestion Smile

gl they will love all that fresh grass!

JaxMax · Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 78 Location: Dublin

I've read that some people hang old CD's on string for the hens to peck at. Not tried it myself, I seem to remember EGirl here doing this and saying they just ignored them, so not sure if it does amuse them or not.

I want to get a bale of straw so mine can jump around on it and have a good old scratch through it.

Jackie

p.s. - Thought you had a bit of a Blair Witch thing going on with those sticks...... Laughing

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1406 Location: Manchester

The CD's thing has been introduced by the RSPCA for the indoor raised 'freedom foods' broilers, I think if the chickens were kept inside without much stimulus a CD would be appreciated - my young chicks often peck at shiny things, but once outside many other things take over in their priorities for pecking!

CP · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 12:38 pm Post subject:

I believe you can even buy special printed ones for your chickens. Shocked

Sure I have seen them on some site I've visited! Laughing

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1406 Location: Manchester

Yep - I've seen them too! pictures of corn and bugs on! lol

crazypianolady · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 756 Location: Nottinghamshire

The ones with corn and bugs on are from Home Farm Fowls, I got one free with my last order! Hung it up where it dangles and twinkles in the sunshine, but the hens ignore it. I think they've got other, much more interesting things to do in the big outside! Laughing

mojo · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:16 pm Post subject:

i use opld CD as a deterent to chase wild birds away from my chicks and food hang on a string on a bamboo cane