JM Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 (edited) Well - my cube came on schedule this morning, was built and three chickens duly installed! We've all been chicken watching since then!! My dog was very interested by the van - he soon worked out there were chickens on board and every time I let him out, he stood by it like a pointer!! Since the chickens were put into the run, he's been down there at every opportunity watching them. The chucks totally ignore him apart from when they gave him a quick peck at his nose when he sniffed through the mesh (he kept his distance after that!) The chucks have really settled in well - they've had a dust bath, sussed out the run, eaten loads, drunk lots of water and look bright eyetd and bushy tailed and perfectly at home! They even ate out of my hand this afternoon. The only thing is that the do have mucky bums - not ill mucky, more as if they've sat in chicken poo when they were in the small travel cage on the way up and when they were in the van waiting for the cube to be built. I was going to see if they could clean themselves up (as they've been preening and bathing) - or should I try to give them a helping hand with damp kitchen roll? Apart from that - everything has gone really well - I'm really chuffed! Jill Edited June 7, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieSB Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Congrats! Have you chosen names yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New2this Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Big isn't it Enjoy. Christine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bexiboo Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 How lovely to get a cube for your three girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Congratulations . Sounds like it's all going really well . Re pooey bums, you'll need a washing up bowl with warm water and a tiny bit of soap or ecover ... and 2 people . I understand hairdryers are often used too . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Oh well done on your new girls!! Hope they all settle in well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM Posted June 6, 2008 Author Share Posted June 6, 2008 Thanks everyone! I had a list of chicken names that I liked - but once they were here, I thought I would wait to see what their personalities were like - so for the minute they are Black One (the pepperpot), Ginger/Black (gingernut) and Ginger/White (other gingernut!!) Thanks for the tip about the mucky bums ANH - that will be fun!! They do seem a bit cleaner this morning though. I put a torch in for them last night, then went out about 10 (dusk) to see what was happening... they were still all pecking around the run! When I went out 20 minutes later intending to remove the torch and leave them to sort themselves out, the 2 gingernuts were in the nest box and looked most surprised when I opened the door to reach inside!! The pepperpot was still up and about. When I went out this morning (it was early but light), 2 were still inside and the third roosting on the steps!! So they seem to know what to do! Got to think about the names now! Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Morris Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Fantastic. I can't wait for mine er... my wifes to arrive now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Yay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ange1 Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 how lovely. I'm sure we'd all like to see some photos? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieSB Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Fantastic. I can't wait for mine er... my wifes to arrive now. Uh-oh... your poor OH! -- she'll have to settle for a book and a bottle of wine for her birthday then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lapinou Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Ooh! how exciting! I really can't wait for ours now. You're very lucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 COngratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Congratulations You missed out all the important info such as colour and the names of your hens. *drums fingers in anticipation* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM Posted June 6, 2008 Author Share Posted June 6, 2008 I've spent some time in the chicken run today!! (Boy - that small door would be no good at all with a bad back - it's quite a shimmy isn't it?!). We're still working out the routines - so may well copy some of the door adaptations. My DH was looking at the steps and thought they looked a bit tricky for them (bearing in mind that hens were all my idea and he is just going along with it! ) - so he cut some wood to size which I cable tied to the back of the steps when I was in the run! Just out of interest, why do the steps end about 8 inches above the ground? I've also picked each of the girls up - and cleaned the mucky bum of the youngest looking one (also the most inquisitive) - she was remarkably calm bearing in mind she was bottom upwards, having a strange woman bathe her behind!! (She didn't run away from me either, so it must have been OK!). I'm quite pleased with myself!! We've not decided on names yet - apart from the Pepperpot is going to be Nigella! I thought I had the names sorted, but now I'm not sure (I wanted a hen called Bunty, but it doesn't really suit them!). Maybe the others (gingernuts) should be Delia and Fanny?! (OK maybe not!) Great timewasters aren't they? Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM Posted June 7, 2008 Author Share Posted June 7, 2008 Pics - There are chickens in there... Or are they underneath? Cube run Cube The guardian Oi that's my paw! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 7, 2008 Share Posted June 7, 2008 Great pictures . What a lovely dog! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted June 7, 2008 Share Posted June 7, 2008 Lovely photos Thanks for sharing them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beauty-Box Posted June 7, 2008 Share Posted June 7, 2008 I love your pictures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted June 7, 2008 Share Posted June 7, 2008 Super photos.. looks like they have a friend already! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM Posted June 7, 2008 Author Share Posted June 7, 2008 Thanks! Great pictures . What a lovely dog! I know - he's gorgeous isn't he? He's so laid back - he was lying beside me earlier when I had the run door open - the chucks were trying to get out, and were only about 12inches from his head, but all he did was just look at them! I actually think he's more interested in their food than them! (Aren't chickens difficult to photograph!) Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutmeg Posted June 7, 2008 Share Posted June 7, 2008 What lovely pictures of your garden, cube and girls and your lovely dog looks such a gentle soul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 Great pics and what a forebearing dog! *Makes note* Must stop looking at pics of cubes cos I have nowhere to put one but they look so good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
