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

[LuckysMum]

My girls are moulting too. We are lucky to get an egg a day from 19 chooks. haha I have bought 2 dozen eggs in the last few weeks. I haven't bought eggs in 10 years. We used to have ISA browns so we still got eggs all the time. Might have to get some hi lines I think.
I hope everyone is enjoying the cool. Some more rain would be nice.

 

[LuckysMum]

Teila I so happy for you its been ages since you've all been together I hope it goes quickly for you and not to stressful.

 

[Susan Hampshire]

I'm on the Bellarine Peninsula in Vic....our garden is sodden! And now it's very cold in the mornings

Teilia...I bet it's been quite lonely without your fur babies and girls!

 

[satay]

A darn fox got two more of my marans last night. How it's getting in there i don't know with 8ft high fences and corro all around the bottom. Back to looking for more ways to keep the darn thing out.

 

[satay]

Aliens....that's a good way of describing my girls Annie. And yes mine are ravenous! But gee the growing of feathers looks so painful and uncomfortable!
Thanks RoosterCogburn..., I will look into flock fixer. They currently get 'molt muffins' made by yours truly...hubby not happy cos I don't bake for him. They also get Organic yogurt with chia once a week, tuna and porridge twice a week, Quinoa all for morning snack...the afternoons they get wheat, corn, sunflower seeds and dried meal worms! And no board (eggs) ... am I over doing it?
Satay ...WOW.... glad to hear it's almost done ...sounds like a huge job!

Nothing there you are feeding them that will hurt them. Picked up a heap of pumpkins for $1 each at a farm stall on the way to Gatton today. Girls are going to love them. I throw chilli's in for the girls when they are moulting handy that i grow heaps of them so always have more than enough to share with the ladies.

 

[Susan Hampshire]

A darn fox got two more of my marans last night. How it's getting in there i don't know with 8ft high fences and corro all around the bottom. Back to looking for more ways to keep the darn thing out.

Oh no so sorry to hear that !!

 

[Anniebee]

To satay ( hoping the quote thingy works here ) but .... ??

I know this sounds revolting, but if you have a man anywhere near ( hubby, son, friend ) and can persuade him ( maybe with a Rolex watch gift !!! ) ... to pee around the exteriors of your home ( fences etc. - wherever it is dubious for entry ) it is said to put off foxes big time. Lady pee doesn't cut it apparently. Sorry .

And if you have a dog ( can't recall if you have ) leave the freshest calling cards from doggie, in the back garden - near to the area where the chookies are. THAT puts foxes off too ( or so I have heard ). That's what we use to deter the many foxes that abound in the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria. Plus, if one has been sighted nearby, I get out the spray bottle of ammonia and use that around the fences and gates. We are well ensconced, but that will not deter a determined fox. Our girls are locked up every night - later during summer, very early during winter ( 4 pm ). Safe and secure. 4 > 6 a.m. seems to be the time foxes mostly hunt, but have been known to extend their activities into the day time. They climb well too - using their claws like a cat would. An 8 ft fence would not deter a most determined, strong fox. They are also great diggers. Reducing the size of your mesh that encloses your chickens might help - to 1" x 1". And a cover of similar size over the run / coop.

So very sorry to hear that you have had more losses to foxes. Hope a couple of these suggestions, help. ....

Cheers ~

 

[Anniebee]

Aliens....that's a good way of describing my girls Annie. And yes mine are ravenous! But gee the growing of feathers looks so painful and uncomfortable!
Thanks RoosterCogburn..., I will look into flock fixer. They currently get 'molt muffins' made by yours truly...hubby not happy cos I don't bake for him. They also get Organic yogurt with chia once a week, tuna and porridge twice a week, Quinoa all for morning snack...the afternoons they get wheat, corn, sunflower seeds and dried meal worms! And no board (eggs) ... am I over doing it?
Satay ...WOW.... glad to hear it's almost done ...sounds like a huge job!

Ah ha ... I have to hit reply - not quote to deliver the original post being replied to. hmmm... something else learned today.

And I thought I spoiled my chickens ??? I would have never thought of chia for them, or quinoa. Do you cook it before hand or feed raw. ?? Mine get cooked meat, yoghurt ( occasionally ) cheese, and scrambled egg as protein supplements for their moults. What on earth is in a 'moult muffin' ?? Not being a baker / biscuit maker of any note at all, I can hardly imagine. !!!

But - good onya ... for doing the very best for your chookies. That's wonderful and no - I don't think anything can be overdone for our dear hens, except maybe too much cheese. Apparently have to be careful about how much is given of that ( so I have read on this thread in the past ).

Cheers ~

 

[Susan Hampshire]

Thanks Annie ....molt muffins are just oatmeal, wheat germ, sunflower kernels, raisins, mealworms, molasses with coconut oil on a string...no baking required. Can't bring myself to feed them eggs... I don't cook chia just put it in their porridge. But I do cook quinoa ... my girls love it!

 

[LuckysMum]

A darn fox got two more of my marans last night. How it's getting in there i don't know with 8ft high fences and corro all around the bottom. Back to looking for more ways to keep the darn thing out.

Satay that's terrible I hope you sort it out. People near us have problems with foxes but luckily we have a big german shepherd and the girls are in a covered run with fences 8 ft high. Though the lady down the road says her fence was that high and a fox got in a killed her chickens the kids were so distraught she won't have anymore.
Good luck