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batcatz

I got chickens today!

By batcatz, in Chickens, Eggs and Hatching

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batcatz All Knowing Superchicken

batcatz

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Hi, I got 2 silkie hens and a speckled hen today. The silkies were meant to be a trio, but I was able to just buy the hens and leave the cockeral once I explained I lived in a terraced house!

 

I also bought a speckled hen who was living with other similar hens in a large field. All three are living happily together! The speckled hen is very grumpy though! She runs around squawking and flapping when I pick her up. A very grumpy lady. :-) I had to pick her up to put her to bed tonight.

 

The two silkies are quite tame and they are only 16 weeks old... not ready to lay eggs for a while, but thats fine as I wanted those as pets mainly. One is bigger than the other and they have different coloured legbands on. I'll email the breeder to find out what it means tomorrow.

 

The speckled hen is about 22 weeks old (I think), and should lay an egg tomorrow. I can't wait.

 

But yikes! Do they poo! :-) I cleaned them out after a few hours of having them as it smelt like a farm already.

 

Not sure how to attach photos so here is a link ..... Photos here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=100641&id=559040325&l=2246c9be1f

Amanda

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batcatz All Knowing Superchicken

batcatz

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Congratulations. :D

 

I'd keep an eye that the Speckledy doesn't bully the silkies....there is quite a size difference.

 

Yikes, she bullied them this morning when I first let them out. She pecked one of the silkies on the head. I think it was to stop them getting any wood lice. I seperated them immediately. She is in the nesting box, scratching and now sitting. Am excited as it might be my first egg.

 

I will put them together again later as she might be calmer. If not then this might mean I need to buy 2 coops! eeeeeek. Its strange as they roosted overnight fine together.

I went outside twice late evening to see if they were ok and couldnt here a thing.

 

Amanda.

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Olly SUPER CHICKEN!!!

Olly

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Its strange as they roosted overnight fine together.

I went outside twice late evening to see if they were ok and couldnt here a thing.

 

Amanda.

 

Chickens go into sort of 'standby' mode when they're roosting - they snuggle up, go quiet and generally that's a good time for introductions or for handling them because they are a bit dopey. Also they can't see too well in the dark, so they are not so quick to decide who is an 'enemy'. As you've discovered, things are different in daylight.

 

It may just be a bit of establishing the pecking order, but do keep any eye out as damage can be done quite quickly.

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batcatz All Knowing Superchicken

batcatz

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It might be easier to get another one for a friend for the silkie as they are such different sizes, as if you separate her she may be lonely.

 

Hi, its okay. I have two silkies who love each other. They are so sweet and still chirping like chicks. They are 16 weeks old. (edit. oops just checked and they are only 14 weeks old)

 

I am planning to get a friend for the speckled hen though.

 

Amanda

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