Recent content by DaveMK

I understand your point. We don’t tend to go below zero for long where I am, so it’s relatively easy for me to pop to my allotment plot in the mornings that it’s frozen, to top up a bucket of water for the girls. I don’t have access to electricity on the plot, so a heater isn’t an option. I...

Thanks for sharing your views too. The water butt I have on my allotment plot that has nipples screwed straight in is 300 litres, and hasn’t frozen over so far, but the nipples do freeze, and remain frozen for the morning until the sun defrosts them. I think this will be my go to set up from...

Thanks for sharing your opinion. I believe that nipples straight into the bucket/butt will be the best solution, and will probably modify the garden coup system.

I’ve used these nipples for over a year now. I’ve got them screwed into PVC pipe and connected to a water butt via silicone tube. The set up works great, until winter. The first episode of frost resulted in the PVC pipe connections busting due to frozen water expansion. Since then, I’ve...

I was initially mistaken, and only one stopped laying. She’s now recovering and her eggs are getting stronger. Not a fully formed shell yet, but getting there. I’m convinced it was down to eating garlic stems and chives while out foraging. Live and learn… Glad yours are back to normal.

thanks for that, but you’re the only person I’ve found claiming that comfrey is toxic to chickens. All other sources online claim it’s a fantastic supplement. Toxic if eaten by humans though…

thanks for that. I think it’s most likely down to the drastic change in routine, of finally being allowed to roam for the last 2 weekends after 7 months locked down. It could also be that they’ve eaten some chives or garlic shoots whilst in the garden, as I’ve just read they’re toxic to the...

Blimey! I watch a lot of homesteading videos on YouTube. Most of them advise feeding comfrey to chickens and hens. Edible Acres, Justin Rhodes etc. Keep your comments to yourself thanks aart. You seem to be more antagonistic than helpful.

I e seen others doing it, and presumed it would be good to feed something that hens like that is also greatly beneficial to the garden.

Hello, I gave them comfrey as I've seen lots of reputable YouTubers recommend it. They are fed layers pellets via an above feeder. The birds are about 8 months old. One of the hens has now laid today, but the one who laid twice without a shell yesterday hasn't laid today. Fingers crossed...

Hi there, We’ve had 2 hens in a small backyard coop/run since last Nov. They’ve both laid every day without fail since winter solstice. We’ve had a bird flu situation here in the UK, and lockdown ended last week, which meant we could let out hens roam in the back garden at weekends fir the...

Thanks again👍🏻

Thanks for that. I’ve heard quail prefer their feet kept dry. Is this true? Is it possible to keep them on a deep woodchip litter bedding like some do with chickens, that is raked out and exchanged once or twice per year?

Thanks for your reply and information. Yes I meant I’ve been keeping chicken hens. I’d still like to have a crack at getting them to lay in rollout next boxes if possible. I’m going to look into it further.