Part 0800.0005

[stoice]

Say hello to Blanche the Amber comet

 

And Beryl the Black rock

To keep Mabel company since her chum Gladys passed away last week

 

Oh and the run is finally finished with a fancy finial made by my dad (Thanks Dad)

 

I got them form Essex Chickens at Smilers Farm. Well I actually got three girls but have returned the ginger one as she was not well. Actually, it's made me a little jittery. I originally selected a ginger girl from her pen (The amber comet and black rock were in another pen) but once I'd put them in the car i noticed a rattling purr coming from the ginger one. Plucked her out and noticed a runny nose too, so i swapped her for another one. Looked her over, she seemed fine. Got them all home but within half an hour noticed that she too was rattling. Immediately separated her and returned her the next day. I was offered another one but I reckon the whole lot may be ill. The guy there told me it may be because they were stored next to the hay barn in a stable before going out into the pen so a week in the fresh air will fix them up. I'm not so sure. When i left after another look round i saw him building a new pen on his field for them so at least he's doing something about it. Just left me doubting my purchase and worrying about the girls i kept. I maybe would'nt have been so keen to keep them if it was'nt for lonely Mabel and the 3 other places that sell hybrids were out (Upsons had sold out, Rose Hill only had warrens and hens4homes were shut for the weekend by this time)

Fingers crossed Beryl and Blanche look ok.

 

Mabel has been really good too. No attacking through the wire or posturing like i witnessed with my mums intros. She hasn't been too fussed. They free ranged on the lawn and got the occasional peck when they got a juicy dandlion leaf Mabel wanted and Blanche managed to fly over the net - they're so light and dinky at this age aren't they?

Mabel has her side of the A4U run with pop hole to her house and the new girls have the 'hospital wing' and i leave the shed door open with a cat box for them.

[Blue-DiamondChick07]

You must be very near me then! I got my lot from Smilers too

they're lovely girls btw - I have an empty house, must resist a trip

[stoice]

You must be very near me then! I got my lot from Smilers too

 

It was actually quite a drive from Colchester, where i am, but i work in Southend anyway so knew most of the route already which didn't bother me. I'd just been to Rose Hill Hatchery in East Hanningfield although they only had warrens - they sell mostly pure breeds and it was very difficult to walk away from a beautiful silver laced wyandotte but i think my OH would flip at the £45 price tag!

[Seagazer]

They look lovely and so does your run

 

The ginger ones do sound a bit dodgy, I think you did the right thing returning both of them.

[Gelbel]

Lovely girls..............I LOVE Black Rocks and Beryl is a beautiful example.

[JanTheDiver]

Great pics, beautiful girls.

 

Mine all came from Smilers too.

 

I had a RIR that had a cough when I got her home but he took her back, kept her for a week (I didn't want to change her out), gave her antibiotics and she has been right as rain every since. In fact she lays my biggest eggs and follows me everywhere.

 

I must admit I have found the guys at Smilers very helpful every time I have been there, so wouldn't hesitate in going back.

[Egluntyne]

Lovely. I thought you'd got them in a conservatory at first glance. That finishing touch is dead posh.