Eglu cube or go up with 2m run

[Silkiemum]

We are new to this, having had all sorts of small animals before but never hens. We have taken on three young silkies (all girls, we very much hope, called Monica, Rachel and Phoebe) and are four days in. They are certainly getting much bolder and seem to be settling in bit by bit, judging by the fact that they no longer run for cover when we appear and are coming up to the wire. However all three seem to be suffering from very dodgy poos, runny, bright ginger in colour and smelly ++. Wonder if this is could be caused by the heat, a feature of the unsettling time they have had coming to us or something else: more to the point, any advice how to get them through this?

 

Looking forward to using the forum and to getting into chickens big-time.

 

Thanks, Silkiemum

[Ain't Nobody Here]

It's quite normal for their poos to be a bit squitty and yucky after they arrive . It should settle down soon.

 

(I'm just going to pop your post into the "Chickens" section where you should get some more advice .)

[Egluntyne]

Beat you to it ANH.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Wondered why it wouldn't let me .

[Sammy]

I'm a newie too - not to the Omlet site, I've been picking up lots of info, tips for a while now, but to chickens having got mine on Sunday. I have the same issue, some are normal poos but some a really runny. I put it down to the heat and settling in - nerves, stress and the like - I also found if I give them treats it makes them worse so I'm sticking with the proper diet for now until they are well settled.

 

It's amazing what 5 days can do - they don't run now at the slightest thing and even stare back at my Cavalier King Charles Spaniels whereas just a couple of days ago it was a case of who could run through the house door first. Still spooked by crows, planes, etc but they are now running out of their house in the morning to greet me and eat/drink rather than creeping out cautiously when they think I've gone and as I sit by their run they are coming right up to me and staring me out.

 

They won't like me this weekend though - it's wing clipping time

[Silkiemum]

Thanks to all for the advice. Reassuring that this is probably to be expected. I had wondered about sticking to basic diet without extras too: I will give that a go.

 

Interesting to compare progress with the other newbie as well: yes we are finding exactly this..... every day is a huge step forwards in terms of boldness. The first morning, all we saw was one scrawny neck peering round the corner of the door for 30 mins, whereas now all three charge straight out and do a patrol of the perimeter! Not at all afraid of our cat as well: good for them!

 

Thanks again. Silkiemum