Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[52fish]

The eglu cube is all prepared, ready and waiting.

We're all set to collect our new chickens when we get back from holiday next month.

 

Does anyone have any top tips, things to remember or things to look out for during the first week with new hens?

 

Not sure if it make a difference, but we'll likely choose 4/5 different hens from Speckeldy, Black Rock, Bluebelle, Amber Star, Light Sussex or Welummer to ensure a variety.

 

Thanks in advance for responses!

[Plum]

Biggest tip book some time off work for chook watching.

[percy049]

they're all really good breeds - I love them! A good tip is just to watch them, and spend time with them

[Chortle Chook]

Remember to get a supply of mealworms so you have something for bribery. With these they will quickly come to love you to bits.

[Stella14]

Top tip - don't worry, be happy and enjoy them Oh, but I do second the mealworm suggestion. Great for making friends

[chickanne]

Bribes all the way! Get youself a low stool or garden kneeling pad to sit on. The sooner you can pick them up the better so get them used to being touched as you treat them.

[Leicester_H]

If you're going to let them out to free range, you'll want to be sure of getting them back. This is what I did.

 

I kept mine in the run for 10 days.During this time every afternoon, I went to the back door, blew a whistle, and then opened the run door a little (WITHOUT letting them out of the run) in order to hold a bright red bowl containing a treat (usually sweetcorn) . They ate from the bowl immediately

 

Now when they are free-ranging, I simply have to blow the whistle, they run to me, I walk them down to the run and put the treat bowl inside and close the run door.

 

Whenever they are out, I always have the treat bowl and whistle handy in case I need to get them back inside the run quickly, eg. if I saw a fox, unknown cat etc.

 

We call it the Marching Band - no idea what neighbours think !!

 

See

[Chortle Chook]

That's brilliant. Can't they run

[Jools]

I love it!

[tracyann]

The eglu cube is all prepared, ready and waiting.

We're all set to collect our new chickens when we get back from holiday next month.

 

Does anyone have any top tips, things to remember or things to look out for during the first week with new hens?

 

Not sure if it make a difference, but we'll likely choose 4/5 different hens from Speckeldy, Black Rock, Bluebelle, Amber Star, Light Sussex or Welummer to ensure a variety.

 

Thanks in advance for responses!

 

I spent ages going in and out to see what they were up to, I've got a Bovan Nera, Bluebelle, Magpie and a Speckeldy, am a week in now of having them and they are such funny creatures. I have just got them used to being stroked and cuddled!! Haven't let them out in the big wide world yet, they are currently indoors as I haven't been able to build the other run due to my father being ill in hospital. The fun and games will begin when they do go out.

[gongladosh]

They'll probably be a little nervous at first and avoid you a bit, but if you spend time with them, give them treats and handle them from time to time, they'll soon get to know you and most likely follow you around the garden.

 

The good thing about hens is that although you get to know them more and more, just when you think you know everything about a given hen, she'll surprise you! You'll probably find them much more intelligent than you'd expect.

 

You'll be spending a lot of time in the garden in the summer!

[Stella14]

Great idea conditioning them to come to a whistle. Ours are upon us as soon as they see us though, mainly because my partner AKA Chicken Wrangler, gives them treats willy nilly! Anyway, they associate humans with nice things so much that they would have the whistle out of our hand to check if its edible before we had the chance to blow it!

[Chortle Chook]

Do I sense a new TV program "The chicken whistle blower" ??

[JS1]

Have more than one feeder and drinker available. I know I've said this before, but it really helped when I got my first three. And enjoy them is another tip