chicken concern

[pumpkin cuddler]

I am very new to keeping chickens (two moved in last Wednesday) and I am still at the stage where, when they do something new I worry about it.

They live in an eglu and still not wanting a fuss at the moment. Each morning one of the ladies knocks on the eglu to be let out, she also has a habit of tapping on the tarpaulin that covers part of the run.

One of them has a case of occasional diarrhea. Is this something to worry about? Also I have read a lot of books before getting our ladies but I haven't read anywhere about just how much poo they actually do. Theres loads! I didn't know there was going to be sooo much. Has anyone got any hints on how to clean the eglu run when its on grass as its not exactly human friendly to get in there (kneeling in something squishy).

Please can some one please reassure me that this is all okay.

[lozza_9]

Hi pumpkin cuddler

I have 2 chickens also in an eglu - you should try Wood chippings/Bark, as I just get a rake to clear it all out of the eglu - I then throw it over my veg as chicken poo is very good for Veg, but not flowers as its too strong for flowers.

They do poo a lot but we also use aubiose in the main eglu house where they sleep and lay - it is used for horses and helps keeps the poo and wee easier to manage, we got a huge bag from a Horse supplier, which I think will last us a year atleast.

Chickens tap everything - mine used to always tap the door and the entrance so I just made sure no aubiose was in sight. they have now stopped but it is normal. They are just getting used to there new home.

diarrhea - I think I read someone where on the Eglu forum that every couple of poo's are a yellow colour but if its a lot maybe hold of the treats and make them eat the chicken food.

Also try to teach your Girls to open the door themselves, just leave it open a little bit and see what happens, becareful as sometimes they close it behind them and then they get upset they can't lay the egg but we noticed out girls where up at 4am in July!!! which is way to early for me!

Good luck

Loz

[daisychook]

Hi!

There is another very good reference forum www.practicalpoultry.co.uk
They have a great reference section all about poo!!!! Sorry TMI
However you can see pictures (!) and you will see that every five or so can be yellow and there is a name for this and it is normal. However if it is yellow foamy poo it can be an infection/virus and you need to treat it.

Im no expert, just learning, and its all great fun (most of the time except if you lose any!). Just enjoy them, keep them clean, their house clean, and watch them, you will soon know if anything is wrong, and before it does go wrong, investigate and find yourself a chook vet - it took an emergency for us to start to look for one - after a visit to an emergency vet on a Sunday who didnt know one end of a chook from the other!!!

Have fun!!!

[terrier]

Hi!

There is another very good reference forum www.practicalpoultry.co.uk

Thanks for the link Daisychook, I'd not seen that site before. Looks really good.