jomaxsmith Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 I never expected chickens to be such fun companions! I was cleaning up the shed today (trying to find space for the ever expanding chicken essentials as well as getting rid of the last of the Christmas cardboard) and the hens were right in there with me, it was so much fun! They were exploring the nooks and crannies and Lily had an encounter with a spider (she's a bit shy at eating bugs so it took her a few goes to eat it!) I'm not one for sitting cuddling my hens (don't really see the point , and don't like the muddy bits or the potential for poo) but I love the way they race me up the garden trying to trip me up. They really made me chuckle earlier - I was about to throw some toast out of the patio door when I dropped it before I'd opened the door... all 3 of them banged their heads on the glass shouldn't laugh... Not a lot of point to this post, but I'm sure you'll indulge me! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 I agree. I think the hens absolutey LOVE it when we are in the garden with them. We have spent all weekend outside in all weathers building their run and they have been under our feet also, never too far away - even in the rain. Normally if we are inside and its raining outside they sit in the garage. So they love our company out in the garden. Bless 'em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygal Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 hey- I'll indulge you because i agree! They are brilliant! I let ours out of their run for the first time today and they were hilarious- Molly the biggest was chasing my children around the garden!!! She's so bold. And at one point my mum and daughter were looking out of the back door window and the chickens were jumping up in the air so they could look in and one tried to get in the back door- "there may be trouble ahead......" methinks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 I'll indulge you...... I don't cuddle mine either. But I love it that they tap on the glass back door to get my attention when they see me at the kitchen window (don't love it that they poop there too...). Love them helping me when I dig the garden whilst I try not to spear them whilst they eat the worm. The kids love "chicken racing" by throwing bits of cucumber out the window and watching their little fluffy knickers rush after it.....oh I could go on and on ...... I've got it really bad haven't I....!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted January 20, 2008 Author Share Posted January 20, 2008 Glad to see I'm not the only one! Are any of you wondering how you'll keep them out of the house in the summer? My back door is a sliding patio door so not really much potential for a stairgate Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisnrob Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 Jo - we used expanding trellis (£2.99 from Wilkinson) to keep ours out last year. Expands to fit any size doorway, easily removed if you need to get out and packs away quite small when not in use Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 Glad to see I'm not the only one! Are any of you wondering how you'll keep them out of the house in the summer? My back door is a sliding patio door so not really much potential for a stairgate Jo we have some perspex panels which we lean up against the door, this way they can see in and we can see out - so they dont feel left out!! I dont think im going to bother with it this summer though. Even though its winter my back door has been open all day today as I dont have my heating on in the day and the chooks come in and out as they wish - I have a terracotta kitchen floor - so I clean up any poos as soon as they've pooped! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 they're hilarious aren't they. I was watching DH in the garden with them today. He had a garden claw and was doing a bit of earth turning over and they were following him and waiting for him to dig some juicy worms up. They follow him everywhere, it's touching to see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygal Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 I am really looking forward to Spring/Summer...if chickens can be this much fun in the rain (and yes I've spent most of this week out in the garden in the rain- and NOT MINDING!) then it'll be lovely- and yes I did wonder how I would keep them out of the house- at the moment the house is the cats domain, not sure how well she would take to her territory being invaded (and being outnumbered too) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 @ the hens bumping into the door to try and get the toast! That is so typical - they are great fun aren't they! I love it when mine help me in the garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateP Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 They are fantastic company. Before we had chickens there is no way I would spend any time out in the garden at this time of year but now I'm always out there with them! If I stay inside while they are free ranging, they just tap on the patio door so I end up going outside anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 I totally agree . I can stand and watch them for ages. Yesterday Maisie found a long worm and it was hilarious watching Milly trying to get it off her . Maisie kept spinning round and round on the spot to get away (reminded me of a basketball player ) with Milly trying to keep up . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joojoo Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 at the moment the house is the cats domain, not sure how well she would take to her territory being invaded (and being outnumbered too) When DS had his last (14) birthday, he had 10 friends to sleep over. All teenage boys in sleeping bags in the lounge Imagine their shock when the chickens ran in at full speed!! Half of the kids didn't know we even had the girls. Very funny As for my 6 cats, they certainly don't stop my hens wandering in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
