what do you use in your broody nests?

Latest Articles

what do you use in your broody nests?

Downsizer Forum Index -> Poultry

Author

Message

Woo

Joined: 19 Sep 2011
Posts: 787
Location: Mayenne, Pays de Loire

Posted: Fri Jul 11, 14 9:09 pm Post subject: what do you use in your broody nests?
Big row raging about the chickens... I brought some straw today as my broody had had a pitch invasion and her straw had been strewn by the pullets. My OH balked at the price and said I should use hay that is cheaper at the moment. I have always used straw as its what my book (chris graham) said to use So I thought would ask the only other chicken keepers I know. Thoughts?..... please!

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4613
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Fri Jul 11, 14 9:42 pm Post subject:
Either is fine.

Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9887
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 14 12:09 am Post subject:
either.

Bodger

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 14 9:48 am Post subject:
I use shavings from the saw mill, I think its cleaner than straw which can sometimes come with creepy crawlies and its also handier for mixing some insecticidal powder in.

chickenlady

Joined: 18 Aug 2013
Posts: 413
Location: Dorset

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 14 3:35 pm Post subject:
I use Aubiose, with mite powder sprinkled in it. (or ant powder). Never used hay as I've always been led to believe it can harbour mould. And straw is supposed to be a good place for red mite to hide in - so never used that either. You'll probably get loads of different replies

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 14 3:40 pm Post subject:
I use shavings. Straw and hay get damp and can encourage the fungus that causes aspergillosis. Also, sawdust is easy to treat with antpowder to knock any mites attracted to a sitting bird.

Mutton

Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 1508

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 14 5:54 pm Post subject:
We scatter diatomaceous earth in the bottom of the box for the mites at the start of sitting and put fresh hay on it. When the eggs have hatched we tend to clean out all the mucky chunks and put in some fresh.

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 14 8:22 pm Post subject:
shavings

Bodger

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 14 9:39 pm Post subject:
I don't let my chickens anywhere near hay, if they eat it, which they can do, then its a sure fired recipe for getting them crop bound.

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4613
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Sun Jul 13, 14 12:01 am Post subject:

Bodger wrote:

I don't let my chickens anywhere near hay, if they eat it, which they can do, then its a sure fired recipe for getting them crop bound.

To counteract that statement,many years ago stacking bales in the barn,noticed one of the hen`s was missing,thinking fox,thought no more about it,this must have been August at the latest,come winter feeding the cattle,must have been December/January at the earliest,pulled a bale out ,and there was the hen in a bit of a sorry state,but alive,nest full of egg remains,she had survived on eggs and hay seeds for moisture and feed,a short while of fattening her up and she layed for another 3yrs.
Just think what proper farm free range hen`s forage,they are in the cattle mangers eating up any seeds from the hay and silage,in the barn on the floor eating up the seeds,scratching on the dung heap for worms.
Never had a crop bound bird and never supplied them with oyster shell grit,but there was plenty of access to sand and limestone duff for building always,and the tip of ashes from the fire.

Woo

Joined: 19 Sep 2011
Posts: 787
Location: Mayenne, Pays de Loire

Posted: Sun Jul 13, 14 8:37 pm Post subject:

Ty Gwyn wrote:

Bodger wrote:

I don't let my chickens anywhere near hay, if they eat it, which they can do, then its a sure fired recipe for getting them crop bound.

My OH argues in a similar vain ' in the wild they wouldn't be rummaging in the wheat field for nice bits of straw....'
I put them on straw, one just got started but the other has been waiting for a good couple of months deserves a comfy spot!
Thank you all for taking the time to share your thoughts.

	Downsizer Forum Index -> Poultry	All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

View Latest Posts