Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[cluckcluckluke]

Isa Browns of course won't breed true because they are a hybrid (supposedly of RIR and RI White),
If you use the right rooster you can "split" them back to fair imitations of RIR and RIW,
that continue to lay well.

Oh wow how would I go about doing that??? How come they use RIR Whites, I thought they where fairly uncommon.

 

[mogvgb]

Our garage was cooler than outside but not as cool as the misters if they sat near them. Trouble was they didn't like being too close

At least the end of the week isn't going to hit 40 again but anything over about 34 they're panting hard. I don't even want to think what my water bill is going to be by the end of summer!

An alternative/addition to misting that my chooks seem to find really helpful:

I have two large but shallow storage trays that are filled with dirt for dust bathing as my run has a wire mesh floor - I take frozen 2Litre bottle of water and bury these in the dirt, so they just have about 3 inches of dirt covering, and also dampen the dirt.

During the heat the girls dig down to the cold damp dirt/bottle layer and sit on that and it really helps keep them cooler (on a 37C day not even panting, and only very mild panting even on 41C day).

If I just put frozen bottles around the run/coop they ignore or avoid them, but this way they sit right on them. Because the dirt insulates it a bit they stay frozen much longer too.

An upscaled version for bigger flocks might be a canvas wading pool with sand and intermittant bottles. (yeah we are actually buying a chook designated chest freezer...)

 

[appps]

An alternative/addition to misting that my chooks seem to find really helpful:

I have two large but shallow storage trays that are filled with dirt for dust bathing as my run has a wire mesh floor - I take frozen 2Litre bottle of water and bury these in the dirt, so they just have about 3 inches of dirt covering, and also dampen the dirt.

They all sit in one spot under a coffee table so I could bury them there and they would almost have to sit on them. Great idea! Thanks!!

 

[cluckcluckluke]

What feed does every one here use???

I've just purchased a couple bags of Riverina Stockfeed Mash, after using Norco pellets since I got my hens, they love the mash they think it is better than sliced bread at the moment.
Does any one else use Riverina Stockfeed Mash???

 

[cluckcluckluke]

They all sit in one spot under a coffee table so I could bury them there and they would almost have to sit on them. Great idea! Thanks!!

I tried this yesterday when it was absolute scorcher, but they didn't take to them and I just found all the ice melted in about half an hour.

 

[IamSamSam]

hey Luke

I use supreme crumble thats similar and the girls love it as its smaller feed and similar to what they eat naturally

I find pellets too unnatural shape and size. Its not bad for them I just personally like a more natural feed.

my girls free range and get corn and wheat and sunflower seeds......house veggie scraps and they love cold watermelon !

once a month i give them meal worms lol - they climb over me to get those.

 

[IamSamSam]

I found a automatic dog watering dish. You conect the hose to it and leave it on..... it has a float that makes the valve off once its full.... girls love it .. constant water

Im told its good for ducks too as its wide enough for them...

anyone use similar things ?

 

[cluckcluckluke]

hey Luke

I use supreme crumble thats similar and the girls love it as its smaller feed and similar to what they eat naturally

I find pellets too unnatural shape and size. Its not bad for them I just personally like a more natural feed.

my girls free range and get corn and wheat and sunflower seeds......house veggie scraps and they love cold watermelon !

once a month i give them meal worms lol - they climb over me to get those.

Yeah I've heard of crumble isn't it just crushed down pellets. The mash I use look really "Ala Naturel".lol. It's supposed to improve their eggs flavour and colour (I hope).
I also give my hens house craps and they free range. I tried meal worms and still have some but they are just not reproducing I only have beetles now, think I shall buy some more.

 

[Ashburnham]

I feed standard chooks pellets to the adult birds in the morning,
then throw them wheat in the afternoon.
(Wheat helps give the yolk a darker yellow colour)

 

[cluckcluckluke]

I feed standard chooks pellets to the adult birds in the morning,
then throw them wheat in the afternoon.
(Wheat helps give the yolk a darker yellow colour)

I heard giving them cracked corn gives them a nice bright orange colour, never heard of trying to make their yolks darker.