Omlet cube and run

[DonnaS]

Finally, after it seems like at least 2 or 3 months, the chickens are here!

 

We finished the chicken run less than a week ago, filled it up with Hemcore yesterday, and went to pick up our chickens today - in the sweltering heat that was Great Britain (or at least the southern bit we're in). So, here's the final run:

 

 

The birds were all kept in a barn at a Farm shop about 10 miles south of Bristol. They appeared to be running around (perhaps 200 of them) and pretty alert - but not the most pretty creatures it has to be said! We bundled 6 into 3 boxes - onto the laps of my husband and two daughters (while I drove). It was a long hour home! We were so hot that we worried the chickens would be dead before we got them home! Phew - they were fine.

 

We put them quickly into their new run - and they immediately huddled underneath the Cube for some shade. Which they didn't really get, being as it was about 30 degrees in the shade! I worried more that they'd overheat. Fortunately for them not having feathers probably kept them cooler!

 

Here are a few photos of the new girls in their fancy new home

 

Taking shelter under the Cube:

 

Looking a bit bedraggled:

 

This is "Onion" (courtesy of 9 year old daughter). I think she should have been called "Turkey" on account of her neck:

 

The chooks didn't think much of their Glug so I improvised with a cat bowl:

 

Back later with a proper feeder/drinker (which most of them started to use) and a few hours after arriving they were all walking around happily and had even started to think about the pecking order!:

 

So - happy chickens so far - if a bit sad looking. Can't wait to see them in the morning! Night night.

 

Cheers. D

[Plum]

Your run looks great

 

It must have been so emotional getting those girls. They look so sad and bewildered. Look forward to seeing them in a few days when they're more confident. Lucky girls living with you.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Your run looks fantastic . Congratulations on your new girlies - so sad to see them in a state like that . It's the resigned look in their eyes that gets me every time . They are very lucky girls now though .

[theherd123]

The girls look so at home and I do like the extra ramp you have made to help them into the cube - Im positive they will appreciate that until they get their strength back

[DonnaS]

Thanks all! The ladies did not want to come out this morning and so needed to be coaxed, shooed, cajoled out over breakfast. Happily they are all out now and happily pecking away (not at each other as yet). So far we seem to have (courtesy of the children) - Onion, Chive, Bubbles and Peanut. I have yet to come up with names for my two - but will have a think today.

 

So far, so good! Have a top day all.

[ISCA]

That looks a great set-up - all the hard work was worth it!!

 

Your poor old chooks look quite bewildered but I am sure they will be very happy in their new luxurious accommodation

 

Looks like it's going to be another hot day, they will appreciate the shade under that cube

[Chucky Mama]

What a lovely new home for them

[MadAboutChooks]

Oh Bless..... they are lovely, Im so would love to have some ex batts but no room at the moment. Your run looks lovely too. I am sure that they will have a lovely happy life now.

[DonnaS]

Thank you everyone for your kind comments!

And would you believe it - 6 hens have laid 6 eggs today! Unbelievable. Good on ya chooky-chooks! Clever girls!

 

Cheers. D

[veggiemad]

excellant pics- thanks- gett ing me all excited abou my new 4 arriving on sunday!! Great idea about the extra ramp- can I steal the design??

thanks

[DonnaS]

How funny the comments about the ramp. In fact the ramp was built by the famous Tony to go with the Cube when we originally planned to site it outside the run. Then I lost the will to live when I had to think about laying any more paving slabs (still have the raised veg beds to do...) and so we then decided to put the Cube inside the run. It was the best decision ever since if it weren't there right now the chooks would be dieing of sunstroke. They are happily lieing underneath and getting a lot of shade from the Cube without losing any floor space to speak of.

 

The wooden ladder has just been placed over the top of the plastic one - it's not fixed or anything. At least the ladder goes down to the ground - but the chooks haven't a clue how to use either! They had to be carried up to bed last night and carried down this morning! I expect to have to carry them to bed later again!

 

As the chooks settle in I will be looking or some ideas for toys for them. Right now they are happy enough scratching about in the Hemcore (which they are also eating... )

[Tutti Frutti]

Aww lovely run, lovely girls, and well done you for saving them They will soon come back to life with your loving care

[Egluntyne]

Wow! A veritable palace. The hens will thrive in that set up.

[sewitall]

My heart is warmed by the sight of seeing those poor feather bared creatures being given a wonderful new life.

[hippy chick]

Your Girls must be so happy. What a fantastic home you have made for them.

[WildeWoman]

Bet you're glad you didn't sell me the cube now, eh???!!!! Managed to pick one up at a good price anyway, so all is well! I was planning to put my cube outside the run too - hadn't really thought about weather extremes, although we are putting an onduline roof on. Seeing how they do like to sit under your cube though, I might put something like a bus shelter in there for my girls. We pick our ex-batts up from Coventry tomorrow - I just hope they settle as well as yours. Thanks for sharing the experience - I now know what to expect.