We have eight chooks and lately they have all taken to laying in just one of the nesting boxes. Not such a problem over the slower winter months when they slowed production but they were coming back into lay so it was time for a schoojsh up.
I cleaned out the old nesting material and re-filled with some shredded paper from the office and then a gorgeous downy layer of poodle hair (don't laugh, they love it; soft and insulating) and then I strewed the neglected nest with dried herbs.
They love it!
I use huon pine shavings for a natural insect repellent and also include dried calendula, mint, oregano, wormwood, lavender and rose petals.
I'll also have the mix at market, enough for two boxes for $7
( Note; wormwood is thought to bring on uterine contractions and is recommended to be avoided by pregnant humans and animals. I find most animals will instinctively eat and poultry particularly will self medicate with wormwood for worm control as required. I've heard goats aren't so discerning so keep it away from gestating does.)
How interesting. I love reading your blog because I always learn something.
ReplyDeletelucky girls..x
ReplyDeleteI've used dog hair (from my friends local doggy grooming business) over the winter and my chooker moles seemed to love it. It's much warmer than straw or wood shavings.
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