mdp1673 Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 Picked up 4 ex-batts on saturday. By the time I'd got back home (half an hour drive) they had already laid 3 eggs Let them wander around their new run but they looked a bit shell shocked and stayed in a corner of the run occasionaly sneaking into the middle for some layers mash and water that we had put into dog bowls for them Had to lift them all into the house on the night. Sunday morning and I let them out and all but 1 came down using the ramp, the other one had to be lifted out. Moved all the food around so it was in the normal containers we use (a glug and a big metal feeder) and managed to feed a couple by hand with sweetcorn and a couple of mealworms. They had also started to get a taste for layers pellets and didnt seem to be as wary of us as on the saturday. 3 more eggs from them laid at the back of the house on the floor. Went to put them to bed at about 9 and Olive had already taken herself off and was asleep in one of the nesting boxes. Monday morning and we let them out again, all of them used the ramp and went straight to the water and food. Ruby laid an egg in the nesting box and for the rest of the day they were scratching around. Its good to see how quickly they pick up the chickeny behaviour again, none of them were scratching for food when we first had them, laying in the nest box and going back to bed - much quicker than I expected. On Monday afternoon Geri was even having a dust bath and then had an afternoon nap. Do most other peoples chickens have an afternoon snooze? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 They look so contented in their new palace Congratulations on giving them a chance to be real chickens Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 Lovely girls. I love the expression on the face of the one looking straight at the camera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 "...and they all lived happily ever after" they are ever so cute - and yes my chooks also have a bit of a snooze after thier dustbath! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 What a gorgeous hen house and run! It's immaculate! They look lovely, can't wait to see the "after" pictures in a few weeks when they all have feathers. Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daj198 Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 Well done for getting some ex-batts! It's great to see so many people on the forum getting some. Lovely coop and run as well. Mine don't have an afternoon snooze, but yours might because of the simulated day and night in the battery farm that they are used to. They might just be "jetlagged" and so I'd imagine it'll stop soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdp1673 Posted May 27, 2008 Author Share Posted May 27, 2008 all the chickens we have had have gone for a 3pm snooze, must be the relaxed atmosphere in the garden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 Hi Lovely girls and what a beautiful looking house and run they have - they will be more than happy in there. We collected our ex-batts on Friday and they all have a little snooze throughout the afternoon so it's nothing to worry about. It's lovely seeing them progress day by day isn't? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 They look really 'at home'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 They look such bemused but very happy chooks! And what a gorgeous hen palace for them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Slats Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 That's so sweet. We have had our ex bats fo 2 weeks now. It took them 4 days to learn how to get up the cube ladder and put themselves to bed, and another 2 days to learn how to use the nest box. Of the 4 of them, one has worked out the dust bath, 2 are getting to grips with scratching for worms and they are all starting to grow feathers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaylis1980 Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 aww they look so happy!! i love the house and run, do you have any more pics? id love to see. did you collect your girls from jean gill in great totham?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdp1673 Posted May 27, 2008 Author Share Posted May 27, 2008 will be taking more photos tonight. We got them from bhwt near coventry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 You got them from the same place as we collected ours on Friday. Ian and Mollie are lovely aren't they, they do such a fantastic job!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdp1673 Posted May 27, 2008 Author Share Posted May 27, 2008 couple more photos Popsy at full speed... and Ruby doing an ostrich impression in the auboise Another 3 eggs today and had 3 eating out of my hand at once. Olive (the smallest one) is very cagey at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daj198 Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 I'm liking the metal feeder! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
