Chicken Shirl Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 You might want to put another feeder in temporarily. I have a couple of feeding stations that they can all get to. The bossy ones will protect one so the others eat from the spare - then the bossy ones have to see what the others have and it's so much better than what they have so they zip over and guard that. Meanwhile the other food station is vacant and everyone gets food eventually. They have all read the same book I think. They are so funny when they keep glancing around to see if they can keep an eye on all the food dishes. It's like musical dishes here sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenno Posted January 18, 2010 Author Share Posted January 18, 2010 (edited) I've left another bowl of pellets in the run but they haven't even noticed that! I wonder if they're just not used to pellets? They seem to love them if they find one on the ground but they couldn't be less interested with the grub feeder or the bowl full of them. I hope they're eating enough! Also, with this pecking order thing, when should I start to worry? Sweet&Sour (might have to change that name!) is definitely in charge and it seems the other two try to keep well out of her way, but occasionally she'll chase them and give them a peck on the back. There's a bit of squawking but I haven't noticed any feathers being picked out yet. Please reassure me that this is all completely normal and that Blackbean and Goujon are ok! Edited January 18, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 It's fine and it's normal, sorting out the pecking order. Only worry if there is an injury, she'll give up in a few days. Might be worth putting something in they can jump on to get out of her way like a broom handle across the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenno Posted January 18, 2010 Author Share Posted January 18, 2010 I'll do that now thanks, I managed to break a broom handle while I was preparing the run for them so that's handy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 I'd leave them with just the grub of pellets tbh They'll soon get used to it, and you don't want them to get used to having them in a bowl on the floor - they'll start getting fussy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Fussy - what's that? Who has fussy chickens? I scattered some corn in the run this evening - we didn't have the Benny Hill Show today - too busy filling their faces. Just the odd duck and weave! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenno Posted January 18, 2010 Author Share Posted January 18, 2010 I now forgive Sweet&Sour for all the pecking..... She must have laid it just before 4pm. I was so excited! It's not her first ever egg, but it's her first egg here! Goujon the Cream Legbar seems to like the broom handle. I might have put it up a bit too high for Blackbean the silkie though. Goujon did consider roosting there for the night, but the torch managed to persuade her that the Eglu would be a better option again! I've witnessed them all eating from the Grub now, and I even checked with the Lady I got them off, and they are used to the pellets, so it's just me worrying! I still had loooooaaaaads of food left in the grub though - do I throw it out, or can they have it back tomorrow? I chucked it last night, cos I'd attempted a mash (they weren't keen so I assumed I'd done it wrong). Last night I thoroughly cleaned the grub and glug too, but I'm now thinking that might be a bit OTT to do that every day? What's everybody elses daily routines? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 ! Did you do the egg dance? I just leave the grub out overnight with the left over food in it, and top it up the next day ... when you fill it up tip it on its side so the same food doesn't always stay in the bottom. You don't need to clean it everyday I do it every few weeks, if that ... a lot less often in the summer because it stays dry - People recommend putting them in the dishwasher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Only get rid of it if it's got wet. And congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 I bring my feeders in at night but only refill them if they need it. Co9ngratulations on your first egg. I waited weeks when I got my girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Yey, really pleased you have had your first egg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 I put a bowl in whilst I was trying to get them used to the food. Then found that they constantly tread/poo in it so I was constantly cleaning it up In the end, I went for a pair of hanging feeders instead and they now eat happily from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Great news about the egg. Little darlings they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Congrats on S&S first egg! Have you tried it yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenno Posted January 18, 2010 Author Share Posted January 18, 2010 I had to wait for my wife to get back from work so I could show off, but then it was straight in the pan! Delicious! Jayne wasn't totally convinced that it tastes better than shop bought eggs but I was! Just hope S&S sorts her timings out now though cos I want breakfast eggs! I've got a feeling that she might not lay for a little while because of the stress of the move (plus somebody keeps shooting her with a water pistol!). I'm back to work tomorrow so I won't see much of them til the weekend now, but at least Saturday is FR day! Can't wait. Hopefully I'll calm down soon and stop worrying about every little detail (no promises though), but until then, thanks everyone for your patience and advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beulah59 Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 The taste improves as they get used to your good food and treats My first ex-batt eggs were tasteless, now the yolks are thick and yellow and really yummy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 And they haven't been shipped, sorted, packed, shipped, shelved and sold - who knows how old those eggs are when they finally get home from the shops. My Physio the other year said that when he was a boy he would steal their eggs whilst still warm and eat them raw! I am so not trying that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
