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

[Teila]

Good morning folks

So hubby headed out yesterday morning and after some initial car trouble, stopped for the night in Mackay. If he heads out early this morning, he should be in Ingham by lunch time and I can relax, knowing he arrived safe.

Good to know that Dusty is not alone

Susan congrats on the worms! [Something only a chicken person would understand

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Hey jc219 I see you found us

Welcome to the thread!

Ooops, sorry Annie GCD was my attempt at humour = Gender Confused Dusty

No apologies necessary, yes Dusty definitely does keep me on my toes. Notice how Cilla rarely gets a mention? She is the one and only good one!

 

[candz]

Hi all, I am based on the Gold Coast and just about to dive into the Silkie game. I have chosen my coop etc and will be getting it online as it seems a lot cheaper, but where do I get affordable shavings for their floor. I poped into Pet Barn today and it was $60 for 2 bales...I am pretty sure that is over priced looking forward to some local expertise

 

[Anniebee]

Hi all, I am based on the Gold Coast and just about to dive into the Silkie game. I have chosen my coop etc and will be getting it online as it seems a lot cheaper, but where do I get affordable shavings for their floor. I poped into Pet Barn today and it was $60 for 2 bales...I am pretty sure that is over priced looking forward to some local expertise

candz & corrieW. Nice to meet you both.

Yes - that seems overpriced to me candz. I buy a compacted bale ( extremely heavy and 'cryovac' covered ) which lasts a long time. I pay approx. $18 for one of those - from Maroondah Stock and Produce store. That is a private small business.
Not sure where you live - but any stock / produce store would have them. Pet Barn does raise its' prices on so many items. Even more than just a pet shop does. And they shouldn't as they would buy by the pallet, not just in boxes of ? quantity.

Cheers -

 

[satay]

 candz & corrieW.    Nice to meet you both.   

Yes - that seems overpriced to me candz.   I buy a compacted bale ( extremely heavy and 'cryovac' covered ) which lasts a  long time.   I pay approx. $18 for one of those - from Maroondah Stock and Produce store.   That is a private small business.   
Not sure where you live - but any stock / produce store would have them.   Pet Barn does raise its' prices on so many items.  Even more than just a pet shop does.  And they shouldn't as they would buy by the pallet, not just in boxes of ? quantity.   

Cheers - 

Agree try your local produce store. The ones that sell cattle food etc. Most places have one.

Hardys Road Pet & Produce Supplies
No reviews · Bird Shop
Mudgeeraba QLD · (07) 5559 2047
Open until 5:00 pm
WEBSITE
DIRECTIONS
Oxenford Stockfeeds
No reviews · Animal Feed Store
Oxenford QLD · (07) 5573 1273
Open until 5:00 pm
WEBSITE
DIRECTIONS
All Things Pets, Pool & Produce
5.0
(6) · Pet Supply Store
Ormeau QLD · (07) 5549 2119
Open until 6:00 pm
Not sure if any of these are close to you but thats an example.

Think I paid about $9 for a bale of shavings last time i bought one. Joys of country living.

 

[CorrieW]

Hi all, I am based on the Gold Coast and just about to dive into the Silkie game.  I have chosen my coop etc and will be getting it online as it seems a lot cheaper, but where do I get affordable shavings for their floor. I poped into Pet Barn today and it was $60 for 2 bales...I am pretty sure that is over priced looking forward to some local expertise

We use sugar cane mulch for ours because we use it on the gardens after the chooks have messed it up. The local produce stores are good for prices. The only thing I really get at Petbarn is the dog food when it's on sale. Ofherwise I just go look at the cats lol.

 

[kirrty]

Can I suggest Uncle Toms Poultry. They have a wide range of stock at affordable prices. They're my go to for everything and they have a knowledge of information as they own and breed they're own poultry. I had a guy once try to sell me more dust and didn't know a thing about it.

 

[kirrty]

Hi my name is Kirsty I'm from Australia. I love my khaki Campbell's. After a couple of misfortunes, my neighbor stealing my ducks to a horrible fox massacre I've now got a very secure fort. I'm wondering if there are any fellow Aussies on here that would like to sell me some eggs? I've got a beautiful male and looking for lines with the dark females.

 

[Sparky74]

Since last Monday when I lost 7 pullets and a cockerel to a fox/food/cat/bunyip in the wee hours, I've been locking the chooks away. I've investigated automatic doors and the price is too much for me so I'm looking at building my own. I went to the local tip today to see if there was anything likely in their "shop" and there wasn't but I did come away with a boot full of fairly heavy gague chicken wire. The cost? $2.20. I think I should visit the tip more often!

I'm still undecided about how to power and control my door.

Several people have used a self retracting car antenna and said they have sourced them for $5 but when I went to the wreckers they wanted $45. I told the guy I could get a brand new one for half that price on eBay. I almost told him, "Dad reckons you're dreamin!" I'd have to sort out power or a battery and timers to open and close. The electronics are probably a bit complicated for me.

The Reject Shop has a solar powered fountain for $45 that I could convert to fill a bucket attached to a pulley. The beauty of this idea is that there is no battery or mains powered required. The fountain starts when the sun comes up and stops when the sun goes down and I wouldn't need any extra electronics. However, my design strikes me as being reminiscent of Rube Goldberg. I'm also not sure how reliable it would be in cloudy weather.

Another option found on the web is to hinge the roost and set it in such a way that the weight of the chooks causes one end of it to lower and thus close the door via cables, pulleys and a lever. I'm worried that this design may result in tardy chooks being locked out.

Someone else on the web has used an automatic pet feeder to power their door. I've found a similar feeder on eBay for about $40. It's self contained, powered by 4 X C cell batteries and has a programable automatic timer. The addition of an arm and a slight modification will enable it to pull a cord to open the door in the morning and release it to close the door at night. I could build a shelf (enclose it in a box, maybe) inside the coop, just under the roof. I think this is the option I'll probably go with.

Does anyone have any other bright ideas?

 

[Sparky74]

Hi my name is Kirsty I'm from Australia. I love my khaki Campbell's. After a couple of misfortunes, my neighbor stealing my ducks to a horrible fox massacre I've now got a very secure fort. I'm wondering if there are any fellow Aussies on here that would like to sell me some eggs? I've got a beautiful male and looking for lines with the dark females.

Welcome to our group, Kirsty. A fox massacre is awful but I think I'd be even more upset with neighbours stealing my birds!

I don't have any ducks so can't help you with eggs but we have a couple of regular contributors from South Qld who may be able help you out with eggs or put you in touch with someone who can.

 

[kirrty]

Welcome to our group, Kirsty. A fox massacre is awful but I think I'd be even more upset with neighbours stealing my birds!

I don't have any ducks so can't help you with eggs but we have a couple of regular contributors from South Qld who may be able help you out with eggs or put you in touch with someone who can.

It has been a big learning curve the last two years. Thank you for the welcome ! I'm not exactly sure how this all works so I'm guessing they may see my post and reply or do I Personally have to contact them?
Thanks!