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

[One_Box]

After a round trip of 160 miles we brought our ex-batts home at about 3.30PM on Saturday (thank you Tracy and the gang!).

 

They are in temporary accommodation at the moment - a small ark with a dog cage extension covered by blankets and polythene to protect them form the harsh wind and very cold temperature (still plenty of ventilation though!)

 

I am amazed at their progress in 24 hours, eating layers mash, drinking and even pecking at grit. This afternoon they even polished off a portion of porridge with cut grapes and some tuna. Their combs are very large though, so have given them the Vaseline treatment. Dora even layed a nice big egg this afternoon to show her appreciation.

 

I have added a picture of Nora and Dora to my gallery which I hope you will have a look at.

 

What charming Girls they are turning out to be

[poachedegg]

Congratulations on your ex batts - and wow at their floppy combs!

 

We are getting 3 on Saturday and I'm hoping we can give them a nice retirement.

[Barkisland]

Aaah! They are lovely girls Wishing you all the best with them.

[abwsco]

Ahh, bless them Lurleen who we had, had a big floppy comb and it never really shrank. I always think they look like they've got sun hats on when they've the big combs

[Egluntyne]

160 miles!

 

Well done and congratulations. You will enjoy watching them recover.

[dancing cloud]

Aaww - they're lovely! My Dandelion came with a pale floppy hat too and it soon shrank to a much smaller red comb.

 

What lucky little hens - bet they think they've been really good and got a place in hennie-heaven!

[Cooks]

congratulations, cant wait to see some pictures!

[Happy chickens!]

Well done you!

 

Mine had very floppy combs too, but they have quickly shrunk on 4 of them, the other 2 have carried on laying and their combs have stayed large and red.

 

Think I read somewhere that the larger the comb the higher up the pecking order, which is certainly true of my girls.

[Cooks]

well that would be true out of my two girls as well

[One_Box]

Thanks for all your comments. Nora and Dora are continuing to progress today despite the snow and the cold They are more secure on their feet and even managed to negotiate an obstacle about 12cm high without stumbling

 

The only problem comes in the evening when trying to get them to return to their sleeping quarters. They are both on a steep learning curve at present and do not seem to have grasped the concept of going to bed at night yet However with the aid of my trusty torch, I think they may be seeing the light

 

Some new chook house (covered in snow) pics in my gallery.