Re: Two deaths in last two weeks!

jewels wrote:
> " Jill." <news@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:431dbc4e$0$97140$ed2619ec@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> jewels wrote:
>>
>>>>> They started featherpecking a couple of weeks back
>>>>
>>>> What are you feeding?
>>>> Exactly
>>>
>>> layers pellets mostly, a few kitchen scraps, some greens and some
>>> corn now and again. Someone suggested cat biscuits which I tried
>>> but they didn't seem keen on them at all, although I they did eat
>>> them eventually.
>>
>> Do they have free choice access to oystershell and poultry grit?
>
> No but there is a fair bit of concrete, and stones/grit in the soil
> and in their run. I'm just waiting on some oystershell as I wondered
> if I should have some for them.

hmm - you were second guessing that they were getting adequate supplies
Black Rocks on range rarely feather peck but they are good productive birds
so have a high requirement of calcium and will eat a wide range of foods so
need good digestive grits
Without good calcium the chances of soft shells increase and so egg
peritonitis

>
>> How big an area do they have access to and what is in it ?
>
> There run is about 5' x 5' concrete

Oh ! :~((((((((((
8 birds in 25 ft square concrete is not much better than battery units as
these are birds which you could not put in a battery unit - they do not
have the temperament for it
3 square foot each is tiny and the environment is barren
Sorry but these are VERY BORED BIRDS -- and they could easily kill each
other
okay so now there are only 6 birds but they will still be very bored.
Concrete has absolutely no appeal or value as an environment for birds
Being let out rarely is not enough
THey need a great deal more to do -- branches -- 6 inches of coarse bark --
hanging cabbage and the likes which is replaced frequently -- grass
turves -- soaked grass and alfalfa pellets - dust baths - weeds from the
garden - sprouted seeds - and more

What I would really advise is you get some electric fencing -- a 25m set up
would allow you to make a decent sized protected pen area and you can
enclose bushes etc within that for shelter and interest.
Thsi can be moved around the garden to prevent them over useing one area and
to provide more or less shelter at different times of the year

--

regards
Jill Bowis

Pure bred utility chickens and ducks
Housing; Equipment, Books, Videos, Gifts
Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine nursery
Working Holidays in Scotland
http://www.kintaline.co.uk


.

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