Just got my ex batts - how often to clean the eglu and how much grit?

[Kitsmummy]

Hi everyone, so excited, got my ex batts yesterday and they seem v happy in the Eglu so far.

They've laid an egg over night (on the roosting bars, not in the nesting box) and they've pooed and wee'd in the nesting box. I'd lined the nesting box with shredded paper and presumably I'll need to clear that out each day if they're going to poo on it? Or is this likely to stop after a few days when they get used to it and will they then keep it clean for eggs? Obviously I'll do a thorough weekend clean each week but to what extent are you supposed to clean it daily?

Also, I've got oyster shell, how much of this am I supposed to give them?

And just for fun, here is Barbara taking her first steps onto grass, and Esther my dog, standing there wondering what the hell is going on!

Oooh I love the pink! Honestly, I change the bedding once a week but at the moment they are roosting on perches in the run at night so the box is staying clean and I have been known to leave it longer. Im not a fan of shredded paper personally, we buy a 20kg bale of aubiose - its a horse bedding which wicks up moisture so dries up any poos beautifully. I like to dismantle the eglu and scrub it between once a fortnight to once a month weather permitting but am heavily pregnant now so it hasnt been done for a long time.

Mine dont get supplemented with grit in the summer as they are free ranging daily (trashing my garden) but in winter I add a handful to the feed. Mine arent ex batts though and I would have thought your new ladies have different nutritional needs right now.

Sorry, the oyster shell is for calcium isn't it? Mine don't get that but are on a good quality layers pellet (and as I said are pampered brats that Ive had since 8 weeks old - they would be horrified at the conditions your ex batts have lived in!).

When I bought the oyster shell from the farm shop they had run out of grit and said the oyster shell was an alternative so hopefully it will do the same job? . Thanks for the tips about the auboise, I will look into that, I must admit the paper looks a bit of a damp pooey mess this morning!

I can see already that I may become chicken obsessed?!

I think it does do the same job but also is used as a calcium supplement. You will indeed become obsessed but amazed at how much they can poo! DH has to scrub the patio down today (usually I do it) because I cant bear the mess anymore!

So how are the ladies getting on? Mine are taking a break from trashing the garden and are stripping a corn cob (45p in Aldi for 2 this week!).

Hi polka, now I'm a week into it I have to agree with you about the paper bedding being rubbish! I'll get some aubiose once I've moved house in six weeks.

The girls are doing great, they're hilarious to watch and the dogs have been pecked once or twice for being a bit too inquisitive!

Good tip about the corn, I'm still a total novice so haven't thought that they might like to eat fresh food too!