Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[karena]

Well, I got the Eglu

It's now constructed, run and all

I've cleaned it all thoroughly this eve

So all that is left now is to get the chickens

Not sure I'll sleep tonight

[Blue-DiamondChick07]

Exciting!! What chooks you getting??

[Guest]

Your going to have a blast. What you getting ?

[karena]

Not sure - don't want to set my heart on anything in case they don't have them.

 

Hybrids though I think, but then I read today (just when I though I knew what I was doing) about pure breeds that lay as much and for a longer time

 

I will let the expert advise me I think.

 

It feels like Xmas eve!

[Heidi-Hi]

Oh have a great time - it is better than Christmas!

[Guest]

They do lay longer but not as much.

Just buy what you fancy

[Plum]

Wow what fun, remember to tell us about it

[karena]

At the moment I keep going out to just look at the run so it will be good for there to be chickens in it.

 

I'm rather pleased with the run, as I've put it on a weedy bed, where it fits just nicely, and there is stuff for them to dig at, or munch, or just sit under. And it's under a big tree so they will get shade, and the excitement of leaves falling in for them then to dig around at too. There also all sorts of twigs etc where bits have fallen from the tree before. I just had to make sure I removed the rhubarb!

[chicken bark]

Have fun tomorrow. Enjoy every minute of it.

[amc]

It sounds perfect, let us know what you get and where you get them from?

[Snoxy]

How eggciting

 

Can't wait to hear what you have chosen and to see pics of your new girls

 

Have fun tomorrow

[Purplemaniacs]

Have fun today

 

I wonder if she is up and ready

 

How eggciting hope you have a lovely day, don't forget to charge the camera up, we love photos.

 

Chrissie

[Plum]

Can't believe she is lying in on such an exciting day

[figarogir1]

Can't believe she is lying in on such an exciting day

She probably isnt laying in, she is probably fussing about with the run and getting boxes ready and checking that she knows where she is going and that she isnt going to be late and all those other vitally important things you have to do before you can collect your chooks

[scarlettohara]

She's worrying about the box. Have fun choosing

[quickcluck]

Are they here yet?? Can we see the pics????

[Blue-DiamondChick07]

We're worse than her!! remember piccies!!

[Plum]

Wonder what she comes home with? Some pretty hybrids or Transylvanian Nakedneck? or...........

[karena]

Cheeky scamps, not up yet! I was off up the A1

 

Well I have got them!!! And I love them! I feel quite sad to be away from them now after sitting just watching for ages. I have the window open just in case they start making noise, even though they are safe in their run.

 

I went to Glencroft Poultry in Richmond. Mr Chicken Man recommended getting ones that were already kept together so they wouldn't fight, smart. So I could choose from various pens. I nearly got 3 amber stars as they are friendly and a bit smaller, but it felt wrong as I wanted different colours, so I got (I think) a Hipswell White (or is a Coral Nick?), a Rhode Rock (or a Copper Black) and a Blue Haze. I don't really know what they are, I'm trying to match them on Glencroft's website . Basically I got ones I liked the look of

 

Mr Chicken Man unceremoniously grabbed them by the legs, and put them head first into the box. They clucked for a bit and then we were off back home. Part way down the A1 there was a lot of clucking, but I have no idea why. And every now and then I could see an eye peeking at me through the holes.

 

Put the box in the run, opened it and they were all nestled up together flat to the bottom of the box. Couple of mins and they were out investigating. And I have already have 3 sets of neighbours come and see - we can see and get into each others gardens you see, an old northern terrace.

 

They have then spent the rest of the day scratching around, eating, chasing flies. And Millie likes to peck at Emmie's bum!

 

So - I introduce, Millicent (Blue Haze), Emmeline (Rhode Rock) and Octavia (Hipswell White)! (or Millie, Emmie and Tavie - still working on a shortened Octavia. They are all named after people)

 

Oh no I can't work out how to get in a picture!!!

[karena]

Here they are

 

Photo0151 by karena23, on Flickr

 

Photo0157 by karena23, on Flickr

[Heidi-Hi]

They are gorgeous!! I looooooooove the Blue Haze. Enjoy!!

[Mercedes55]

They do look lovely

[chicken bark]

Really lovely. Like the Blue Haze and the Rhode Rock looks very similar to my Black Star so I guess they are probably the same hybrid but just a different name.

 

Where abouts are you if you don't mind me asking?

[Plum]

They are wonderful, love them

 

The white one is so pretty

[KateCooke]

Enjoy, I bought my 4 bantams last Saturday and although i love them, their smell and sheer amount of poo has recently been dampening my feelings. Today hoping to build a wood chip area so that i can keep them in their run a bit more. I have been just letting them roam the garden for 13 hours, but this might not be too good for their diet as at least one has the runs. Plus my back is aching with all that poo picking. Have 2 small children and i am sick of shouting at them "check where you are walking" or "take your shoes off at the back door" Bless one is only 7 months old and she is still being shouted at.

 

Well off to a car boot sale now, have to make the money back somewhere as this is turning out to be quite expensive.

 

Enjoy your first full day with your hens.

 

Kate