4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Nic_78]

Well I got my chickens on Saturday (having had the Eglu for weeks, but I was wanting to do some preparation in my garden first) and I could never have imagined how adorable I find them! Anybody who says that chickens don't have personalities and aren't suitable to have as pets, has clearly never had any experience with chickens.

 

I'm still a little bit nervous since it's all very new to me, and I have to keep on reminding myself that when they peck at me, it isn't going to hurt (not that they ever peck in an attacking manner...it's purely because they've figured out that I'm the one who feeds them their treats...clever birdies!). But they've let me give them the odd stroke (especially at bedtime), and my confidence has come a long way even the last 4 days.

 

I've laughed constantly at their antics; from the way that they talk to me when I go out to see them (especially the bigger one), to their hilarious scratching moves which look like some kind of dance. And I've worked out that one of them will do ANYTHING for sultanas!

 

I decided to let them out last night for the first time and I was so nervous about it...I didn't want to lose them over the garden fence on their first outing! But I took advice from what I'd read in the forums (thank you!) and decided to let them out at about 7.30 - about half an hour before they put themselves off to bed, hoping that they wouldn't venture too far. And they didn't...they were out for half an hour then strutted themselves off to bed at 8pm. I don't think I've ever laughed so much in my life! The bigger one (the strongest personality of the two) took a liking for my shiny red shoes and chased me round the garden...I couldn't stand still for more than a second or she'd be pecking at the little white bow on them. I can't ever let her see my hands either...she'll peck at the very sight of them (since she seems to think I've always got food for her). This makes it a bit difficult to stroke her as she'll quickly turn herself round and go for my hands as soon as she sees them. Will she get better for this, or will I just have to get used to it?

 

I was amazed at how well my cats took to them too (and vice versa...the hens are totally unphased by them)...I have two Burmese, and the most timid of the two sat right down beside me last night while I had the chickens around me, sniffed one of them nose-to-beak, but the chicken was suitably uninterested, turned around...leaving my cat just able to sniff her bum as she walked off.

 

I was a little bit concerned about what my neighbours would think, as I hadn't mentioned anything about the chickens to them in advance (I didn't want to say anything before I got them in case I set alarm bells ringing in their heads with them imagining the worst. I thought I'd be better off getting them, letting them see first-hand how little bother they are, then win them over that way). But my next door neighbour started off a conversation about them the other day, seemed quite interested and started talking in an excited manner about a grouse that he'd seen in their back garden a little while back (so I'm hoping that means he has an affection for big birds)! So fingers crossed I'm fine on the neighbours front!

 

Sorry for the essay...can you tell I'm excited? Here's some photos from when they first arrived, to their first venture outside the run last night (it wasn't actually as dark as the photos make it look...the flash made the rest of the garden look almost pitch black).

 

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[Egluntyne]

Lovely pictures.

 

It sounds as if you are well and truly smitten.

 

Marvellous!

[ajm200]

How lovely

[Hen Watch]

They look great, they've got lovely combs and wattles already....

 

It is OK to be nervous. I was for months and for no reason in particular, just am I doing the right thing etc. But this forum is great for ANY question.

 

Regardings pecking your fingers, my lot pecked everything for first few weeks, toenails, stitching of my jeans, my fingers when I opened the run. They are a bit like when human babies put everything in their mouths to explore. I found the pecking at everything stopped very quickly. My lot now NEVER peck me or my fingers. They now know what is food and what isn't.

[Abbey Road Girl]

They're stunners. Thanks for sharing!

[Nic_78]

Ahh, that's good to know. Thank you! I'm getting more confident with the pecking - I'm not as nervous of it as I was on the very first day...but if it stops eventually, that's even better. It's nice to know that even when I've got used to the pecking, that my friends who come to visit who haven't had time to get used to them, won't need to be afraid of that as they'll have hopefully grown out of it then anyway.

[Laura & CTB]

Your girls look lovely

 

Just to say also that if you use a dish to feed them treats from they will soon stop associating you fingers with food

[Nic_78]

Ah haa. That's a good idea! I'd been feeding them from my hand as I wanted them to 'like me', but I now realise I've probably created the hand pecking issue myself! I'll concentrate on feeding them from a dish for now

[Jules.]

Thanks for sharing your lovely happy experience

[BarbaraJ]

Aw they look great, fun isn't it!

Mine didn't come near me at first they are only just getting over friendly lol chasing me up the garden when i have their food bowl. i have quite sensitive hands so when they peck it hurts me, Amber hurts , ebony doesnt because her beak is broken and ruby still won't coe near me. i can wait though, now waiting for eggs thats really easy

[Seagazer]

Your chickens look lovely. I'm sort of glad you feel nervous as I feel very worried (but excited too) at the prospect of having some chickens in the garden. In fact the last couple of nights have involved a huge amount of chicken dreams. Most of family & friends that I've spoken about it to think I'm absolutely nuts!

 

My husband is back from business trip tomorrow so we will be measuring out the garden when he gets back so we can choose either eglu or cube. Then we will be ordering one, can't wait.

[WitchHazel]

Your girls look lovely

 

Just to say also that if you use a dish to feed them treats from they will soon stop associating you fingers with food

 

I second that.

[Sarah B]

Super pictures! Your girls look very happy.

 

Mine went through a fingers are food phase but they have a treat dish hanging up in the run now on one side and a mixed grit dish hanging up on the other side and they are not so bad now.

 

They soon learn!

 

Make the most of your lawn being that wonderful condition! Unless you move the run everyday they will soon be digging a dustbath!

 

Enjoy your chooks x

[Snoxy]

Fab pics...it was so good to read your 'essay'

 

We are on day 2...and my stomach is still llike e a washing machine

 

I will get a bowl ready for treats

 

Very best wishes and keep enjoying your girls