Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

ionahenor2

Shortie wrote: »

Lol, sorry - I'm expecting the virtual blank looks I've been getting from home and friends.... Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme (yep Scarborough Fair)... and Magrat! Hehehehehe There is a connection, along the herb line I promise, but even when I've explained it to people they still don't get it :rotfl:

Is that instead of garlic?

Shortie

ionahenor2 wrote: »

Is that instead of garlic?

Pheeeeeeewwww... someone gets it

crimson.addict

ionahenor2 wrote: »

Is that instead of garlic?

Shortie wrote: »

Pheeeeeeewwww... someone gets it

or even Garlick I love the discworld books. Just be careful she doesn't get confused and cook up the others in a potion!! ha ha

Superb names!

Shortie

Wow, page 25 and still going, lol. But this thread has been a great source of info so far, and when I get my chooks, hope you din't mind me joining in the chook banter!

I have a few burning questions, I'm so sorry if they are answered in the remaining 100-something pages ( ) but I'm putting together a 'Chook Book' in word and was hoping to pop the answers in - sorry for the random nature of the questions too!

- I see references to corn, which can be lots of different types.. but unpopped natural (ie unflavoured) popcorn? I know it's just dried sweetcorn but can I add a little to their feed? Ooooorrrrr.. pop some in the microwave and feed as a treat if they like it? I bought bags of unpopped natural stuff years ago and never sussed how to get it evenly salted (I don't cook them in oil to add it that) - could the chooks make use of it?

- Pineapple shells/casings - when I've cut the flesh out of the pineapple, can they have the shell or will it be too sweet / acidic for them?

- The shed floor... I'm going to convert an old 6x4 - can I protect the floor with lino (or tiles... I have LOADS of spare tiles and grout etc from building work last year) to protect the floor from rotting? Or am I just being a bit of a numpty here worrying about something that won't happen? I know this sounds silly - I'm oddly (stupidly) sentimental about the shed hence not getting rid of it years ago when we bought the 10x10 - it was the previous house owners, whom we knew very well and it's the last standing thing of hers and one of the reasons I want to convert it to a chicken coop was that she'd have loved the thought of it being used for chooks if she were still alive - and would like to try and preserve it as long as possible... even though I'm cutting a whole in the side so they can get into the run, lol.... I've just realised how daft I sound.. Mind you it's also about saving money so I don't have to replace it so quickly because of a floor that becomes rotten?

Fruball

Shortie wrote: »

Wow, page 25 and still going, lol. But this thread has been a great source of info so far, and when I get my chooks, hope you din't mind me joining in the chook banter!

I have a few burning questions, I'm so sorry if they are answered in the remaining 100-something pages ( ) but I'm putting together a 'Chook Book' in word and was hoping to pop the answers in - sorry for the random nature of the questions too!

- I see references to corn, which can be lots of different types.. but unpopped natural (ie unflavoured) popcorn? I know it's just dried sweetcorn but can I add a little to their feed? Ooooorrrrr.. pop some in the microwave and feed as a treat if they like it? I bought bags of unpopped natural stuff years ago and never sussed how to get it evenly salted (I don't cook them in oil to add it that) - could the chooks make use of it?

- Pineapple shells/casings - when I've cut the flesh out of the pineapple, can they have the shell or will it be too sweet / acidic for them?

- The shed floor... I'm going to convert an old 6x4 - can I protect the floor with lino (or tiles... I have LOADS of spare tiles and grout etc from building work last year) to protect the floor from rotting? Or am I just being a bit of a numpty here worrying about something that won't happen? I know this sounds silly - I'm oddly (stupidly) sentimental about the shed hence not getting rid of it years ago when we bought the 10x10 - it was the previous house owners, whom we knew very well and it's the last standing thing of hers and one of the reasons I want to convert it to a chicken coop was that she'd have loved the thought of it being used for chooks if she were still alive - and would like to try and preserve it as long as possible... even though I'm cutting a whole in the side so they can get into the run, lol.... I've just realised how daft I sound.. Mind you it's also about saving money so I don't have to replace it so quickly because of a floor that becomes rotten?

Re the shed floor - I put lino down in my old shed to protect the floor - makes it much easier to clean

ljonski

Well it had to happen . After 2 years and 9 months of chicken keeping i have had my first loss. Mrs White ear who had been sickly for a while died in her sleep in my spare bedroom, whilst wrapped up in an old shirt of mine. I think it is the best way to go as i didn't have to dispatch her myself. I have 3 left with one egg layer.it may have been a longstanding problem with worms,but i realised time was possibly short yesterday as she was unable to stand , so i brought her in. Farewell Mrs White Ear - hope to see you one day again.

ionahenor2

ljonski - sorry to hear about Mrs White ear. It's always a wrench to loose one.

Shortie - No to pineapple, shell and flesh.

Re corn. Mine love fresh/or frozen corn on the cob, also tinned. Not sure about whole dried kernels but mine eat the broken bits when raiding the wild bird food dropped on the floor.
You can also get wheat (corn) grain which is good as a treat at bedtime. Too much and they stop laying.

Don't worry about asking questions there is always someone that will try to help on here.

lally666young

my babies made a run for it today, so the dog ended up being a sheepdog and chasing them back in!!! Quite fun to watch. Mind u Billy No mates ended up in the kitchen somehow and is now roosting on my fruit bowl!!! Aggh help

ionahenor2

lally666young wrote: »

my babies made a run for it today, so the dog ended up being a sheepdog and chasing them back in!!! Quite fun to watch. Mind u Billy No mates ended up in the kitchen somehow and is now roosting on my fruit bowl!!! Aggh help

How many do you have?

lally666young

Sorry had a nap, I have 20, more than 50 you have to inform DEFRA. But the dog likes to think it is a sheep dog even though its a terrier. Billy No mates by the way has left the kitchen and gone back out with his lady friends. And dont ask me what they are as DH bought me them for xmas. And yes I love them all. We have a garden centre near us at Seaham which sells all chicky related bits and the little darlings themseleves.