Recent content by Shadrach

I've a bag of what's described as mixed grit that has oyster shell in it that I leave a handfull of by the feeder a couple of times a week. I feed smallholders pellets as well. They do work through the grit and shell but very slowly.

What feed to you give them and what is the percentage of calcium in the feed? Yes you can make your own calcium supplement by smashing up oyster shells. Wash, rinse and put them in the oven a 200C to dry them out properly. Smash the shells up with a hammer.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/732227/code-of-practice-welfare-of-laying-hens-pullets.pdf https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bird-flu-avian-influenza-housing-your-birds-safely Many keepers are not going to be able to follow the AI...

Another vote for cotton buds.

No I don't suppose. I'm delighted to report that none of the chickens I've known are subject to any superstitious beliefs.

I took on the care of 26 Ex Battery and rescue chickens last year after my return to the UK. They looked like this on arrival. They look like this now.

He does have hens, 18 at last count. All Ex Battery hens and rescues. I had to move back to the UK after Brexit.

Henry.

Here he is a couple of years later guarding his favourite hen as she lays an egg.

Yes. Needed daily cleaning until the stitches came out.

That madam is a he. Way to go to make him feel even more depressed than he is already. He may be looking less of a he because his lovely tail feathers were recently torn out by a weasel and he has a sore arse from not just that but the stitches needed to close a wound.

One of those days.

Who are these recommendations protecting? They are not going to stop the spread in the wild bird population. I very much doubt that they are there to protect the hobby keepers and breeders. One might have thought we would have learned something for the Covid locksdowns but it seems not.