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

[Fancychooklady]

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

Hi, welcome. Shavings are fine with older birds but I don't recommend them for chicks. Over the years I've lost several youngsters to choking on them. Ask to sample shavings and especially sugar cane as it can be very dusty and aggravate the birds respiratory system. Good luck with your silkies, we love pics.

 

[satay]

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.

I go into the one at riverlink to look at the animals too

 

[satay]

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?

I believe @appps may have an automatic door on her hen house. She maybe able to help you.

 

[satay]

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.

I miss my campbells. Try your local chicken and egg for sale groups of facebook if you do facebook or gumtree etc.

 

[Teila]

Good morning folks

Phase 1 is complete .. hubby has arrived at Forrest Beach. Now we just have to complete Phase 2: Pets and Phase 3: Me

Welcome to the thread candz and kirrty!

Sorry Sparky I do not have any bright ideas for you. While I was reading your post I remembered reading about the chooks weight on the roost closing the door here on BYC [there is a thread about it somewhere]. However, as you mentioned, there were posts regarding the door not closing if one of the chooks does not roost and also opening during the night if one of the chooks falls off.

I got nuff’n! Just trying to get into a new routine and adjust to my temporarily single status and of course, packing

 

[LuckysMum]

Welcome candz and kirrty I know you'll enjoy being here its a great thread.

kirrty your ducks look beautiful good luck finding some eggs. Do you have a farmers market close enough to check out? The one near me is about half an hour away and if I can't see what I want there, there are heaps of people who can help. It may be worth a try.

Sparky Sorry I've haven't any advice either. Good Luck.

Teila Good luck with everything. I'm sure with all the work you have to do you'll be too busy to feel single.

 

[LuckysMum]

Hi All,
Can someone help me to understand if my 6 months old chicken is a hen or a rooster?

Please help!!

sorry I can't help but welcome to the thread.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Hi All,
Can someone help me to understand if my 6 months old chicken is a hen or a rooster?

Please help!!

Agree with satay, definitely a cockerel.

 

[sjturner79]

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.

Hi, and welcome. What part of Australia are you from? It's a big place. I know a couple of duck breeders in the local poultry club, so if I know where you are I might be able to point you in the right direction.

 

[appps]

Help! Is this a worm?

.
It's not moving or anything.

I'be got these

Which would be best to treat it with if it is?

Oh and can I syringe it in instead of adding to water? I've got Carl in isolation yet again and she isn't eating or drinking that great so not sure she will get a full dose the normal way.