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

[lisaroo2]

Hi All

 

Am now new chicken mum. Yipee!!!!!!

 

Let me introduce you tooooooo....

 

Daisy - Merrydale Snowbell approx 14wks

Maisy - Merrydale Schwarz approx 18wks

Rosie - Merrydale Schwarz approx 19wks

 

(No pics as yet, prob do later tonight when chooks sleepies)

 

They were as good as gold on the way home, just a look soft chook noise when I turned in my seat to check they were ok. At the mo they are busy scritching up the grass and enjoying the sun. I've not put the shade up yet as we wanted to watch them and there is a breeze in the garden which will keep the temperature down.

 

They've already had a worm and were quite excited! They don't like Jackdaws and frieze when one comes into the garden!

 

But...

 

They haven't found the pellets in the grub - have put some in dish type thing in run

There poos seem a little runny - presume this is normal and is prob due to stress of travelling/settling in etc?

They seem to be pecking bits of grass - we mowed the grass quite short but presume this is still ok?

 

Apart from that I've happily done nothing since we returned home with them - just like you all said I would.

 

Lisa

( a v.happy chook mum!)

 

Daisy Maisy Rosy

[hayhatch]

Congrats on being a new chook mum! They sound lovely! Can't wait to see pics of them.

[Olly]

Congratulations Lisa, yes we want to see pictures please! They sound as if they are settling in ok.

 

Pecking grass is fine, if it's short stuff - they like it and it will make their eggs a lovely dark yellow colour. Yes, runny poo is to be expected for the first few days while they get over the move and settle in.

 

And finally, don't worry about the pellets - they won't starve themselves! You'll find they don't seem to eat much at all at first, and then one day you will find the feeder is empty in no time - that will be when they are coming into lay. Enjoy - what a lovely start to a Bank Holiday weekend!

[moomin]

Hi Lisa

 

Congratulations on getting your chooks

 

It's when you leave mown grass lying around for them to eat and if they free range into the long strong grass, the sort you find in meadows - I think it could cause problems with their crops. If they just peck bits off then that's OK.

 

They won't eat much to begin with, I put a bowl of pellets in for mine when they first arrived. They will get used to the grub later.

 

Runny poos I think are normal, due to upset of the travelling, you could try some Bokashi bran, that tightens it up

 

There is something you can put in the water I think it's called 'Avipro', I've never used it myself, expect someone will be along with loads more experience!!

 

Good luck, you will enjoy them they are BRILLIANT!!

[lisaroo2]

Thank you, thank you.

 

Have just been out and put plant pot full of grit next to grub in run. Filled an old dog bowl up with pellets and they're all tucking into it! Tried them with grapes but they've just flung em around the run and then ignored em. Daisy has just been sunning herself in the run, very funny , wings outstretched, eyes closed, chicken heaven methinks!

 

Makes me smile when we go near the run, they make a soft cooing nosie, is that because they know we're mum & dad now? Can't wait to be able to pick them up and stroke em. When/how do I start doing that? Want to get em used to people but also know they gotta have time to settle in.

 

Lisa

(proud chook mum of Daisy, Maisie, Rosy)

[Cooks]

aww congrats, I cant wait to see pictures. Mine LOVE grapes BUT hate brocolli at moment.. They are funny how they let you know..

 

So you'll have eggs at different stages then? did you pick them or they pick you??

[Laura & CTB]

Can't wait to be able to pick them up and stroke em. When/how do I start doing that? Want to get em used to people but also know they gotta have time to settle in.

 

 

 

Congratulations on getting your new girls Lisa

 

Get your girls used to be handled by waiting until they've gone to bed then stroking them through the egg port, you can lift them out through here for a cuddle and they'll be dozy and easier to handle.

 

Once they get ready to lay they will start to "crouch" and this makes them very easy to pick up! You can also get them used to you by hand feeding them treats. It wont be long before they're following you round the garden trying to trip you up

[hillfamily]

Congratulations

 

ditto what Laura said about getting them used you :D

 

 

It's great fun when they all start following you everywhere

[lisaroo2]

Would help if I could get there names right. Have just looked at previous posts and seen several different spellings! Bad chook mum!

 

I think the girls chose us. Maisie and Rosie were in a pen with another who was abit of a bully. The bully kept pecking at Rosie so we decided to 'rescue' her. Maisie just looked at us as if to say, 'don't leave me' so we didn't. We don't feel any remorse about leaving the bully, she'll cope.

 

Daisy was the last of the Snowbells and was on her own so she came to. She made a hell of a racket when Karen from Merrydale was trying to catch her! We did wonder what we were letting ourselves in for!

 

You can now add Pheasants to the chooks 'we're not very sure about..' list. Two males have just had a set to in the garden and suddenly the feathery bodies in the run turned into giraffes!

 

Neither hubbie-to-be or I have moved from the conservatory where we're watching them from in the past three hours - chook watching is definetly addictive!

 

Lisa

(New chook mum to Daisy, Maisie, Rosie)

[hillfamily]

My Belle definitely chose me

 

No chance of you getting anything done now for a good few weeks enjoy watching your girls :D

[Karen & co.]

Congratulations on your new girls they are the perfect time waster

 

Karen x

[lisaroo2]

They've gone to bed, with the help of a torch. Great tip, thank you!

 

Lisa

[Couperwife]

ooooo, congratulations on the new girls

 

 

but come on, you have had them for hours and we still havent seen any pictures (we like pictures )

 

(no pressure - honest )

 

cathy

x

[Egluntyne]

Congratulations.

 

Am looking forward to the Photos.

[Abbey Road Girl]

Ooh, the Omleteers do nag about photos, don't they?

 

Oi, I want to see your girlies too! A joy shared is a joy doubled.

[WitchHazel]

congratulations - hope you post pics soon!