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

[megacakes]

OK, so the chickens just went completely nuts outside...clucking and carrying on like anything. I ran out to see them lined up against the fence, watching the cat who has just killed another rat! They are going NUTS!!!! Why? Do they want to eat the body?

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Cats are predators of chickens, naturally a cat wouldn't be a chickens predator but and animal with it's eyes set in the front of it's head ( like us ) are predators and any animal with it's eyes set on the side are prey ( eg: chickens ) but then there are exceptions with crocodiles and such.

Chickens are known eat mice, they are omnivorous meaning they eat both vegetation and meat.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

I have never really had a group of chicks before and today and yesturday I have seen them jumping on each other, pecking and just squabbling with each other but all in what looks like play, like lion cubs do. Does this mean I have roosters? Or do I have to separate them?

( These are Maxi's chicks, Satay )

 

[Ashburnham]

Hens will also fight like roosters do.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Hens will also fight like roosters do.

I know but wasn't sure about with chicks.
Thanks.

 

[Blondiechic]

Happy Easter too everyone!

To those in Sydney its very exciting as I am on the northern beaches so not far from Thornleigh either!

With the rats... I had a bit of an issue with the bush rats who took up residence near the girls and then in our roof so I got the Pestrol plug in thing that I heard on the radio. I can't poison them as its a horrible way to die and I can't put out traps or water either so the Pestrol thing seemed worth a try. It sends out electronic waves which the rats don't like the sound of so they move away, but it doesn't affect the other animals I have at home
It works! I only have about two left now who live under the silkies run, my cat is slowly helping as are the dogs but by far this Pestrol has been the best - I shall try the disinfectant though and see if that takes care of the rest - I have a cooper hawk who visits by the stables but has been around less since there are so many less rats...

 

[cluckcluckluke]

I can't believe I forgot this. MINT, Rats and Mice hate mint, Grow it all around you your coop,run etc. I have a little patch of it slowly growing under my elevated roost. The more you have growing the better.

Also Wormwood is great for lice. But just growing it will not do any thing you actually have to cut up the branches and crush them up and put them in you nest boxes or strewn across the floor. The herbal effect from this plant is a repellant not an actual cure for lice though.

Hope this helps.


I Will share a WORMING tip with you in a bit, It seems really easy to do.

 

[appps]

Only trouble is I don't like mint either lol. Oh well guess I don't have to eat it

I've got some wormwood on order from the nursery. I couldn't get the real one at bunnings it was labeled wormwood but when you read the fine print it was "like" wormwood.
Supposed to also get rid of intestinal worms if they eat it v

 

[Ashburnham]

Wormwood grows very easily from cuttings.

 

[appps]

You have some growing Ash? Do the chooks peck at it? Thought I'd try growing it in their run and hope they would eat some occasionally.