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

[Tin Tin]

Hello everyone, this is the first time I've signed up to forum and I'm feeling a little bewildered!!! I have four Gloucestershire brown hens who are 7 weeks old, they are quite big for their age and I could really do with some advice as I am new keeper, anyone able to help???

[Jennyhenny]

Hi Tin Tin,

 

I'm quite a newbie too so can't help Im afraid but just wanted to say welcome to the forum . Im sure someone will be along shortly to help you though, everyone is so friendly on here.

 

 

Jennyhenny

[Lewis]

Welcome to the forum

 

What's your problem/question?

If you post it here you should get a response or two

[Tin Tin]

Thanks alot, I was feeling very lonely there for a while!! I've got 4 chickens and pardon the pun but am flapping that I'm doing the right thing with them!! I need some advice and guidance otherwise I'll drive myself and the hens mad!!!

[Lewis]

What do you want help with?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Hello Tin Tin . Welcome to the forum .

 

Just ask away, no question goes unanswered on this forum . You could have a look through "chickens" and "chicken clinic" for some information to be going on with .

 

BTW, it's normal to worry when you first get your chickens - I'm sure we all did .

[Tin Tin]

I've got 4 gloucestershire brown hens (Beryl, Shelly, Grace and Ethel) who are 7 weeks old (and adorable!) I have hatched them in an incubator, moved them to a brood box, am doing all the mummy things like introducing new foods, playtime outside etc, they are thriving well and love people and cuddles but my dilemma now is i can't seem to find out when to put them in there coop at night!! they go out to play in it during the day and I'm putting them back in the brood box at night, I left them a bit longer this evening as its been so warm today and they ganged up on me shouting and when I moved them to the brood box they wanted out again!!! I'm not sure how and when to move them full time into the coop or how to tell if they're being spoiled girls!

[moochoo]

I've got some 7/8 week olds. I put mine outside and in their house at 5 weeks so I'm sure yours will be just fine now. As long as they're fully feathered they'll be fine.

Welcome to the forum BTW!

[Christian]

Tin Tin, if you go to the top of the screen next to User control panel, you should see you have 1 new message

[Tin Tin]

I forgot to say that this is the first time I've kept chickens, have also got mice, cats and tropical fish (well neon tetra's) I've been switching the light off in the box aswell because they are indoors but have swithced it on tonight because I thought they might be yelling because they were cold, they didn't feel cold though and were still scratching etc, they also don't like going in the nest box yet. I've put sawdust in there but someone told me not to put any straw/hay because it can harm them, can anyone tell me what's right?

[Plum]

Sounds like you are doing fine. The thing about hay and straw is they can harbour red mite. Plus some like to eat it and it can get stuck in their crop like my daft girl.

Look forward to seeing your girls.

[Tin Tin]

Will try and upload some pics, just as soon as I can work out how!! I've got pics from hatching to today!!

[Egluntyne]

I'd leave them out from now on Tin Tin. The weather is mild enough. Mine went out at 5 weeks and have been absolutely fine.