Keeping hens and ducks chat.

ali-t

I thought mine were slowing down but got 9 today. Their large area has turned into a mudbath that reeks of poo - is this how life is going to be until spring aaargh?

suki1964

Been making moveable fencing to keep them off the patio. I love that they sit on the doorstep watching me, but the poo is getting too much to handle


We are also looking to get another two this weekend

edwink

queen_of_cheap wrote: »

I think my girls may be on the slow down too now. Three eggs today and a softie, four otherwise every day this week. It's my gold line who isn't laying. She's turned into a right grumpy cow who is picking on the others, but she's been doing that for a few weeks. We've noticed too that they aren't eating or drinking as much as they would normally do. Corn gets left uneaten :eek: they turn their noses up at grass too :eek: :eek: Is this normal when the seasons change?

Hi Queen of cheap

Is your Gold Line moulting? If so this could be the reason she is so grumpy and not laying.

With regards to them not eating. As a rule they should eat more in the winter months in order to keep warm. Try and move the feeders to the warmest part of the coop and make sure it is draft free for them. Hens hate the wind and will keep out of it the best they can even if it means not eating. On the other hand it could be the night time foxes that are really upsetting them. If the foxes are scratching at the tarpaulin at night this could be really scaring them. Not sure what else you can do to stop the foxes visiting. They really are a pest in more ways than one.

Let us know how they are please.

Edwink x

Happygreen

suki1964 wrote: »

Oh believe me I do

the cheese was a very very very thin slice broken into about 20 pieces and the yoghurt was home made

Thats why I said about reading what some hen owners were feeding 0 the likes of sugared cereal, tacos, fajitas etc etc

I bought hens so that we could enjoy their eggs and Im a great believer in what goes in comes out. Now I know they are omnivores but I dont like the idea of feeding them meat scraps, they are getting strictly veggie from our kitchen, and Ill ignore the slugs and worms

Apologies if you felt I was having a go at you! Not my intention

Dizzy_Imp

Hi everyone :wave: hope the cold weather is not too bad wherever you all are...

My hens have dropped from 6 eggs to 3-4 a day since autumn arrived, but I'm happy with that. DH put a light in their co-op to give them some warmth and extra light as the nights have started drawing in. Have been letting them have a run about in the orchard in the afternoons, but have to watch my dogs who behave perfectly when I'm there, but sneak a sly nibble when my back is turned :eek: The girls aren't overly bothered by them though - I suppose they are used to seeing them when they are out in their run, with wire keeping the hounds at bay...

I'm so surprised at how fond of the girls I've become. Me! Who was scared of chickens! I wouldn't hesitate to have more when the time is right (still lusting after some running ducks, but need a secure pond away from small people). How funny :rotfl:

suki1964

dizzyimp. It's so easy to fall in love with them ( ok maybe not love but ykwim)

My four girls completely fascinate me. I shoot out of bed no matter how late I hit it to let them out and I spend as much time as I can with them. They make me laugh and feel totally relaxed

happygreen. No offense taken what so ever . My girls are treated well ( I hope) and I was just gobsmacked reading on an American site how much processed food some people think its ok to feed them. So mine get left over cooked veg, it's salt free and if I give them say a bit of pasta, it really is just a few strands

Btw. Hubby has now been bitten by the chook bug and is now working on cutting the veg garden back a bit and building a new shed ( brick built no less lol ) so we can have a dozen and he's going to look to breed. I'm on at him to walk before he runs and have found the address of the local poultry club

edwink

suki1964 wrote: »

dizzyimp. It's so easy to fall in love with them ( ok maybe not love but ykwim)

YES YES YES it is Love and lots of it :rotfl:

edwink

Dizzy_Imp wrote: »

I'm so surprised at how fond of the girls I've become. Me! Who was scared of chickens! I wouldn't hesitate to have more when the time is right (still lusting after some running ducks, but need a secure pond away from small people). How funny :rotfl:

Aww you must get some Indian Runners as they are the best.
We have one runner out of 7 ducks. She is the funniest of them all. She waddles upright (as they do) and it looks as though she is actually running. She is black with a white bib. She really is a funny little thing.


Mine absolutely love swimming and spend lots of their time in the pond:). Even when it is time to go to bed sometimes they won't get out of the water . Even when it is getting dark :eek:. Even when the stars are coming out :mad:. Naughty girls they are but only sometimes.


Edwink x

skipton

I think our hens should have these now it's getting darker earlier LOL


https://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/chicken_keeping/chicken_clothing/16763/yellow_and_pink_high-vis_chicken_jacket_twin_pack/?rf=d5bf46157d57be875278858a0c4b6b36

Better_Days

My friendliest ex-bat is poorly.

She's got some diarrhoea and is quieter than usual. I've separated her from the other hens given her some poultry drops and pro-biotics. Hopefully some TLC will do the trick.

Poor Jemima