Search found 106 matches

by sunny
25 Jul 2008, 18:36
Forum: Keeping Chickens and other Poultry
Topic: How hungry are they in the morning?
Replies: 12
Views: 2574

I put their pellets in the run feeder of their Ark when I shut them in for the night, often when they've already gone to bed. This is basically their breakfast as they eat it when they get up - which, in the summer, is well before I get up to let them out! Also, it stops the sparrows flying in &...
by sunny
25 Jul 2008, 18:05
Forum: Keeping Chickens and other Poultry
Topic: CHICKENS IN HOT WEATHER
Replies: 28
Views: 10630

I'm fortunate in that mine have over 100 ft of run with a hedge running on 3 sides. They've made their dust bath holes on one end and made their 'shady area' under the hedge at the other end, and I watch them running up and down depending on whether they want a bath or snooze in the shade. They're f...
by sunny
20 Jul 2008, 15:47
Forum: Keeping Chickens and other Poultry
Topic: Sparrow hawk on the prowl...
Replies: 8
Views: 1732

Quite recently, we had a pair of sparrow hawks hunting our hedgerow, which is absolutely packed with sparrows, waiting to steal the chook's food as soon as my back is turned. They were amazing to watch as they hovvered and then literally dived into the hedgerow to scatter the birds. All the chooks w...
by sunny
27 Jun 2008, 18:24
Forum: Keeping Chickens and other Poultry
Topic: a chicken newbie question
Replies: 17
Views: 3097

This is interesting. I have an Ark for 10 chooks (although I only have 4) and it only has 2 nesting boxes! When I had 6 girls, they still either all laid in one box, or spread themselves across the two. Having said that Olive Oyl (RIP), didnt seem to lay at all and I never found waylaid (sorry about...
by sunny
27 Jun 2008, 18:15
Forum: Keeping Chickens and other Poultry
Topic: Chicken eating eggs?
Replies: 2
Views: 751

Hi Mo, Thanks for your reply. I don't think she's bored, there's plenty of digging and scratching in the run, plus they have some branches/logs there too. They have a mix of grit and oyster shell, which they help themselves to. Although I think I may also throw some additional grit into the run. Ple...
by sunny
27 Jun 2008, 13:14
Forum: Keeping Chickens and other Poultry
Topic: Chicken eating eggs?
Replies: 2
Views: 751

Chicken eating eggs?

Hi, I initially thought that we had a magpie eating our chickens' eggs. But now suspect the culprit is Elna. I found her in the nest box with yolk all over her beak. Any ideas on how to stop her doing this? and also is there a reason for it? I'm thinking about a lack of something in the diet. They h...
by sunny
27 Jun 2008, 13:06
Forum: Keeping Chickens and other Poultry
Topic: Has anyone tried Eradibait?
Replies: 8
Views: 6289

Sorry for not replying sooner, have not been here for a while. We used the Eradibait and it did exactly what it said on the tin. No more rats! The most effective way to use it is by filling little plastic bags (we used cling film) and shoving it down their holes. That worked best. We also used rat b...
by sunny
23 Apr 2008, 10:20
Forum: Keeping Chickens and other Poultry
Topic: An announcement - our first egg
Replies: 10
Views: 2144

*applause*

*cheers & whistles*

*Encore!*
by sunny
13 Apr 2008, 09:58
Forum: Keeping Chickens and other Poultry
Topic: Green stuff & chooks.
Replies: 34
Views: 7126

What wonderful pics! And, I envy your garden Fussy!
by sunny
13 Apr 2008, 09:46
Forum: Keeping Chickens and other Poultry
Topic: Was Olive Oyl suffocated?
Replies: 7
Views: 1769

Thanks all. Anna, something could have frightened them, though don't know what. Yesterday was the first time in nearly a year that I've had them that none of the girls were in their integral run, when I went to let them out and the first I've seen them all huddled into the same nesting box. Usually,...
by sunny
12 Apr 2008, 15:59
Forum: Keeping Chickens and other Poultry
Topic: Was Olive Oyl suffocated?
Replies: 7
Views: 1769

Was Olive Oyl suffocated?

Hi all, Last Monday morning I found poor Olive, my all time favourite chook, dead in one of the nesting boxes. She had been happy as Larry the day before. I found her with her legs slightly splayed and her head lying on the straw so thought, because she hadn't laid an egg in months, she may be egg b...
by sunny
20 Mar 2008, 10:05
Forum: Keeping Chickens and other Poultry
Topic: What do you think (of this arc)
Replies: 9
Views: 2391

I have a Forsham arc (different model to the one you are looking at), whilst I think they are a bit pricey, the wood is very good quality and they are well made.
by sunny
13 Mar 2008, 10:21
Forum: Keeping Chickens and other Poultry
Topic: Has anyone tried Eradibait?
Replies: 8
Views: 6289

thanks both. Unfortunately, no access to ferret litter. I have thought about going to the council, I know their poisons are very strong and effective, but am worried that the cats will eat the dead rats. So, I'll give the eradirat a try.
by sunny
12 Mar 2008, 16:48
Forum: Keeping Chickens and other Poultry
Topic: Introducing my Chooks.....
Replies: 14
Views: 8020

What lovely looking girls and Vinny is a very handome boy. It's also really interesting to hear about chicken lifestyles in the different parts of the world. You're so lucky not to have rats and foxes! Looking forward to seeing more of your pics.
by sunny
12 Mar 2008, 16:36
Forum: Keeping Chickens and other Poultry
Topic: Has anyone tried Eradibait?
Replies: 8
Views: 6289

Has anyone tried Eradibait?

hi all, I've been searching for a rat poison which won't harm kids, dogs, cats, chooks or any other type of non rodent wildlife and have found Eradibait (also called Eradirat & Eradimouse). Has anyone tried this stuff and did it work for them? It's around £8.50 for 500 grams which is enough to ...