Louise Posted December 24, 2004 Share Posted December 24, 2004 My Chickies are here!! Woo Hoo!! I originally hatched them about 12 weeks ago but did not have the facilities to rear them so passed them on to a friend and now I have 2 of them back!! I haven't seen them since they were 10 days old and now they are 12 weeks gosh how they have grown. All I have to do now is think up some names I can't wait until they start to produce it is soooooo exciting (or should that be eggciting ) They haven't made it into the yet as I am still at work - why can't my employer appreciate that I have to go home now to get the little guys organised Anyway I will keep posting how we get on I do have some pics of the chicks but they may not be the ones I actually have. They were hatched in an incubator but I didn't have a power source outside for the heat lamp which is why they got farmed out. I got hold of some fertilised eggs and thought I would have a go not really expecting sucess but there you go most of them hatched and all of them have homes so all was well I will be taking some pics of them as they grow and I will start an album in the New Year. They are now settling in so fingers crossed Louise Just a contribution from the country eggs on the first days in the Eglu Arrived at home - in the dark Made it into the run and although they were a bit bemused the 2 new arrivals wandered around and after a few pellets and about 15 minutes of exploring it was into the new accomodation - well impressed. They settled down for the night straight away safely locked in. This morning they were let out - also in the dark (I am doing my bit for the day length debate motherhen ) and after looking out they decided no we want to stay in. Well it was snowing so who can blame the little darlings. So it looks like Betty and Wilma will be in for a first White Christmas in honour of them being White Leghorns. Hopefully it will be daylight when I get home today and they will be out and about I will let you know Louise Betty & Wilma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted December 24, 2004 Share Posted December 24, 2004 (edited) Terrific! You've done one better than most of us in hatching your own girls. Ours were all ready made ! Hope it goes well - you sound like you know what you're doing already! Good names, Louise! Didn't take long to decide in the end then! Very jealous down here about the snow Keep the diary going Edited December 24, 2004 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 24, 2004 Share Posted December 24, 2004 Hi Louise You should have fun today when you get back - not least trying to see your girls in the snow! Our Leghorn is rather muddy at the moment so she would show up well in snow - if we ever got any! We will look forward to photos. Lesley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted December 24, 2004 Share Posted December 24, 2004 Wow louise I am so envious hatching my own eggs layed by a chicken of course is something I have always wanted to do I am reading up at the moment on how to do it. I was thinking of buying some fertilised eggs if one of the girls goes broody, but I don't think I would have the heart to cull the cockerals. It might have to be day old chicks from an autosex breed but am not sure which breeds these include. Have a HAPPY CHRISTMAS and hope the chooks keep happy and start to lay soon looking forward to seeing your photographs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted December 27, 2004 Author Share Posted December 27, 2004 Well the girls have definitely settled in and are starting to teach the cats who is now boss!! The youngest cat likes to 'stalk' them even though they don't ruffle a single feather fortunately the wire on the run stops the girls from being able to peck him - he will learn The christmas snow disappeared before christmas as the rain started so the is the place to be most of the time so the new accomodation is tops with Betty and Wilma although I have had a few odd looks from the neighbours wondering what on earth I have got now I am sure they will be chuffed to know I haven't got a Cockrel - yet I think they are the coolest chickies in the area but then I am biased Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 27, 2004 Share Posted December 27, 2004 Hello Louise Fancy not having snow in the Borders We. like Kate, have a lovely white frost today but still no good for sledging Glad to see your girls are teaching the cats who is boss! Lesley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted December 29, 2004 Author Share Posted December 29, 2004 Still no real snow Lesley!! The world must have shifted on its axis!! It is however very cold and icy. We don't really have much frost it is the rain that falls in the day that freezes overnight. However on the drive to Edinburgh this morning I have to pass through some very high villages and they have snow, obviously right down in the tweed valley I am too sheltered!! The girls are appearing to be very settled and they have been in Eglu residence for nearly a week They are spending much more time out in the run which is nice as I get to see them and are doing a great job on moss control for the lawn I am sure they will start on grass control soon as well. I am now introducing them to novel foods and trying to find out what they like so that is good fun. I have also conducted a little study into straw and they definitely prefer me to give them straw to lie on as they will huddle together on even a tiny corner if it has straw in it!! Methinks I am spoiling them already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 Certainly sound spoilt to me! Then again, aren't all Omlet chickens a little pampered ??? Glad to hear it's going well, Louise. You'll be like me with a totally bald lawn before too long!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 Glad to see your girls are settling in Louise. Definitely no snow down here in Cornwall! On pay per minute - so only quick posts until n Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 Hi Louise ... we are headed to Stirling(Central Scotland .. for the English chook keepers geography) .. so a tad North of you. We are .. you will be pleased to hear leaving the "girls" in the TLC of a Scottish neighbour. . That being a Scottish neighbour HERE in Macclesfield, not in Stirling. . Anyway ... hope you ALL have a good one when it comes . And I WILL be taking the high road - tomorrow!!! . All the best for 2005 ... Sarah , Ginger and Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted January 1, 2005 Author Share Posted January 1, 2005 Hi All, Happy New Year - I hope there aren't too many sore heads out there How was Hogmany in Stirling?? The girls are definitely making their mark on the area as I was asked quite a few questions at the local party last night and at least one of them had looked the up on the net so you never know I may have started something up North Wishing you all a happy and prosperous New Year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 Hi Louise, from the other end of the country! Have had New Years report on our girls and egg production, all are fine. we have to put up with sheep here instead. Happy New Year Lesley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 Happy new year Louise and Lesley sheep sound great compared to the noise from fire works this morning, more like explosions and far worse than bonfire night. They woke Emily up so she is still asleep in bed. No ill effects caused to the hens though they have layed an egg each and last seen heading up the field for a good scratch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 Flaming fireworks!! Bah Humbug and all that! We have an idiot nearby who lets of proper display type fireworks in his garden - not the sort you buy from the shops - BIG ones - and they were going off for half an hour last night. I'm still fuming . Ollie and I got the hens in and gave them a cuddle at midnight and they seem OK this morning although we still haven't had an egg from Clarry for a whole week now. I don't know what's got into her. Jenny's laying every other day so we are very low on eggs! No hangovers in this house - just tired children who insisted on seeing midnight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 Same here Kate kids are still in their pyjamas. Three of our close neighbours decided to let off display fireworks far too dangerous for small gardens they were those things that let off 100 or 200 shots at a time I spent the night comforting the chickens every time another one went up they were jumping, but they both layed today. Both chickens have not layed for a couple of days I think it is pretty normal for this time of year, maybe Clarry is getting broody again she needs some babies, I dare you to get some fertilised eggs for her, I keep getting very tempted maybe in the spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 I dare but I'm sure Long Suffering Hubby would have something to say about me getting Clarry some fertilised eggs ! When we get somewhere with more land - definitely - but the lawn's disappeared into a puddle of mud with only 2 hens so goodness knows what would happen to the garden with more little starfish feet scratching! We had the multiple shot fireworks too - lost count at one stage! Some people are SOOOOO thoughtless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 I know what you mean about the lawn Kate ours is bald and cutting down the tree has made even more mess. I am lucky to have the farmers field at the back he only grows wheat in it and at the moment it is water logged so the girls can use it any time, now that we have been able to stop them getting into next doors kitchen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 Has next-door forgiven you yet??? I tipped a bowlful of corn into the girls' favourite dustbathing plant pot a few weeks ago and it's sprouted lots of little green shoots which they love. They climb into the pot, have a nibble then go off and dustbathe elsewhere! I should have sown the corn on a much larger scale! I keep throwing bits into the dustbath in the hope they will sprout too. Neither of them like green vegetables apart from lettuce which they also seem to be going off so I don't know what to give them so they get their greens. They are so faddy!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 Kate the reason for chopping the tree back was to keep her happy and in fact her son came round to help so I think we have made amends. Also some of the girls every now and then always helps. My girls also have a favourite plant pot I will try the corn idea because mine will only eat grass they are not interested in any other greens. I read somewhere that people do sprout wheat for the chooks so I must get round to it. I think you can even blend it in a juicer and make a foul tasting health drink. Why do most things that are healthy usually taste rotten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 (edited) Hi Both Ours love alfalfa sprouts which are as easy to grow as cress. I have a sprouter which I use - three levels - takes about 4 days to grow, and always keep some on the go. They will also eat lettuce and shredded cabbage. Lesley Edited January 6, 2005 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 Happy new Year to ALL . Is it bright, or just me, Haha .. got back last night from a great time in Stirling. Though drove thro' blizzards on the Dumfries part of the motorway last night ... thats how I looked driving I think . Needless to say .. no snow here at home. Girls were behaved for our neighbour ... and seem pleased we are back. Won't be so happy later tho' when I move the Eglu back to the bottom of the garden . Sarah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 Yes Sarah it is bright Glad you had a good time in Stirling, I am sure the chooks will wake you up when they start pestering for their treats. I got up late this morning and mine were making a right racket I think they were saying "we want our breakfast now", glad I haven't got a cockerel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted January 6, 2005 Author Share Posted January 6, 2005 Well Betty and Wilma have really settled in and are getting very cheeky. They were quite shy at first but not now. As it has been so cold and windy recently they tend to stay indoors a bit much but if they hear someone outside they definitely want to know whats going on. My youngest cat is really funny and I will get some pictures of him 'stalking' them he sits on top of the run like it is going to disappear and the chooks completely ignore him - priceless. He is such a wuss if one of them got out he would run a mile!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Hi Louise, and others up that way! Are all your girls safe or are they in Norway? The wind is fierce down here and weather reports say it is worse up there Lesley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted January 7, 2005 Author Share Posted January 7, 2005 Hi Lesley, The ladies are quite safe and oh yes it is windy. I have alot of very large very old oak trees around the perimeter of the garden and I half expect branches to come down - don't worry none of them overhang the house or garden anymore so the girls are safe Still it is worse further east than where I am. Various bridges and roads closed The girls don't like the wind much as it ruffles the feathers so spending most of their time can't say I blame them. Me and everyone else up here seems to spend 4 months of the year grumbling about the weather but come the spring it is so lovely you forget the down side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
