Keeping hens and ducks chat.

edwink

jac99 wrote: »

I have had a rethink about the coop/run after a few wet days in Norfolk and sitting looking out of the window considering how difficult it might be to clean out a combined low level coop/run in the rain and mud.

So I have now found a walk in run that will give the chickens a little more space but also I think will make my life a bit easier. This also means that I can have a little more space around the fence to be able to look for any burrows or signs of digging.

I have read that mint plants may be a deterrent for rats so think I will plant some around the outside of the run just in case.

I have also been reading about the use of herbs and spices to promote the health and wellbeing of hens, through providing foliage to eat or putting particular leaves in nesting boxes and dirt baths. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience of this?

Thanks again for all your ideas.

Really sensible to put a lot of thought in to how you are going to clean the areas out. Because it is a job that will need doing on a regular basis it is always sensible to make it a easy as possible for yourself. If it is not easy you will soon dread having to clean them out especially as it takes longer to do in the rain. Some of the smaller coops may look ok to keep hens in but often little thought is given to how a human can get in there along with the hens whilst cleaning them out. Some have trays underneath that you slide out and scrape clean but if the mess piles up a little some can get left behind when you slide the tray out. So you will need to get in there to clean that up as well.

Its true that rats dislike the smell of mint you are so right in saying that. Always worth planting some near their coop or just having some in pots around the boundary.

Not sure if others know this but mint will help to stop flies coming in to your home so it is well worth while having a pot growing by your back door somewhere.

From time to time we have put herbs in our hens nesting boxes. You will notice the aroma when you open up in the mornings. I read many years ago somewhere that mint has a calming effect on laying hens although I don't know how true that is.

Another thing you can do is float a small amount of lightly crushed Garlic cloves in your hens water. Don't leave it in there for more than a couple of days otherwise it could go mouldy. Just do this from time to time as apparently it gives them an immune system boost. I give mine Garlic over the winter months when their little bodies are struggling a little with the cold.

Edwink

edwink

dizzybee wrote: »

well today has been really calm,a bit of falling out but not has bad has its been, so hopefully things are turning am just catching up on all your lovely tales of hen keeping, i find it very relaxing and just want to be in the garden, with them.The next re home is the 20th Sept so if things are better may get some more,

I am so pleased that things have finally settled down with your hens dizzy. It is horrible seeing them flight isn't it? We had an awful battle on our hands here once when we had quite a few hens and introduced 6 more. I spent night and day outside playing referee. On many, many other occasions when we have introduced more we have had the odd spat but besides that there was harmony in the camp. You really can not tell how it is going to go. At one time my hubby went to collect 8 hens that needed rehoming urgently BUT when my he arrived to pick them up there was 15 :eek:. Still bought them all back though and there was some fighting but that soon settled down ok.

I find them very relaxing too and let mine climb all over me and to think over 10 years ago I was terrified of anything that flapped its wings near me, even a tiny moth:o. I've come along way since then though:). I had to get over my fear otherwise I would not have been able to keep hens and ducks and enjoy our semi self sufficient lifestyle:j. Some time ago I wrote out the story of how frightened I was of them and how I overcame my fright. I'll have a look back sometime to see if I can find that post on here. Not sure if I would be able to quote that post but to be honest I don't see why not. I'll have to have a look to see if I can find it.

Edwink

edwink

Pyxis wrote: »

If foxes become a real problem, I wonder if lion dung might help?

You can get it as a cat-repellant, and because it is a big predator thing, it might work with foxes.

It's quite hygienic.....comes in dried pellets, and only has a faint scent to humans.

Downside is it can work out expensive, as you have to replenish it after heavy rain, but might be useful in an 'emergency' or if all else fails.

Hi Pyxis :wave:

Well you learn something every day. I have never heard of the stuff before. Had to Google it to see what it is all about. For others that have never heard of it have a look at these links

https://www.greenfingers.com/product.asp?dept_id=200796&pf_id=LS3465D

or

https://www.waitrosegarden.com/product/_/silent-roar-lion-manure/classid.2000004185/

It looks as though it is mainly sold as a cat deterrent although some companies mention foxes too.

I know you can buy chicken manure in pellet form for garden plants but I am sure us hen keepers have plenty of poo already.

I love this silly looking hen so had to include it in this post.


Edwink

Pyxis

Yes, it does seem to work as a cat repellent...... I tried it once a few years ago, and it did seem effective. Then I couldn't find it for a few years, but you can get it online now.

I think it also might work to repel foxes (and maybe other animals), because of the large predator effect. Animals may recognise that some poo belongs to large animals that would eat them, so they give it a wide berth!



Of course, if anyone lives near a zoo, they might be able to get fresh stuff for a lot cheaper!
(But I wouldn't recommend getting out of your car with a shovel and bag! :eek:)

crv1963

Pyxis wrote: »

Of course, if anyone lives near a zoo, they might be able to get fresh stuff for a lot cheaper!
(But I wouldn't recommend getting out of your car with a shovel and bag! :eek:)

I remember Woburn Safari Park used to sell composted Elephant Droppings. May still do so!

edwink

Pyxis wrote: »

Of course, if anyone lives near a zoo, they might be able to get fresh stuff for a lot cheaper!
(But I wouldn't recommend getting out of your car with a shovel and bag! :eek:)

crv1963 wrote: »

I remember Woburn Safari Park used to sell composted Elephant Droppings. May still do so!

How about some nice Ellie-poo white paper for your printer then?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/content/articles/2006/10/23/elephant_poo_paper_feature.shtml

Edwink

Pyxis

edwink wrote: »

How about some nice Ellie-poo white paper for your printer then?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/content/articles/2006/10/23/elephant_poo_paper_feature.shtml


Edwink

Yes! I did buy myself some writing paper once!

Don't know that foxes would be scared off by elephants, though! :D

jac99

Following on from the idea of planting mint around the chicken run to repel rodents a little more internet viewing has identified that there are a wide variety of herbs considered to be beneficial to the health and wellbeing of hens.

This may not come as any surprise but as we are still in the planning stage it is certainly opening my eyes to the opportunities to enhance the environment we are trying to create for our future flock.

Many of the internet articles are American but 'How to herbify your chickens like Lisa Steele' seems to cover a broad range of ideas for herbal additions to food, the coop, cleaning and aromatherapy etc.

Some of the examples include;
- Basil and Lemon Balm are insecticides
- Parsley is a laying stimulant, helps blood vessel development and circulation and encourages feather growth
- Oregano is anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, and an antibiotic
- Bay Leaves are an antiseptic, antioxidant, boost the immune system, and act as an insect repellant.

I guess my next job will be to plant some herbs!

I think I also need to get myself a little book to write all these ideas down as I suspect that when the hens arrive a lot of these ideas will have been forgotten.

Jac

Pyxis

jac99 wrote: »

Following on from the idea of planting mint around the chicken run to repel rodents a little more internet viewing has identified that there are a wide variety of herbs considered to be beneficial to the health and wellbeing of hens.

This may not come as any surprise but as we are still in the planning stage it is certainly opening my eyes to the opportunities to enhance the environment we are trying to create for our future flock.

Many of the internet articles are American but 'How to herbify your chickens like Lisa Steele' seems to cover a broad range of ideas for herbal additions to food, the coop, cleaning and aromatherapy etc.

Some of the examples include;
- Basil and Lemon Balm are insecticides
- Parsley is a laying stimulant, helps blood vessel development and circulation and encourages feather growth
- Oregano is anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, and an antibiotic
- Bay Leaves are an antiseptic, antioxidant, boost the immune system, and act as an insect repellant.

I guess my next job will be to plant some herbs!

I think I also need to get myself a little book to write all these ideas down as I suspect that when the hens arrive a lot of these ideas will have been forgotten.

Jac

"How to herbify your chickens"?
Herbify?
Don't know whether to :rotfl: or !

Besides which, that list of herbs left out sage .
Oh, and onion.





(Sorry, sorry, couldn't resist.
Will get coat)

jac99

I did warn you it was American!