Sammiboo Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 (edited) Hi all I am new to the forum as well as being a new owner of a green cube and its occupants!! I was lucky enough two weeks ago for my birthday (arranged by my OH) for my family to club together and buy me an eglu!! I was really excited to say the least!!!! The day after my birthday we brought the boxes from next doors garage (where it had been hiding) and began to put it together. The weather wasnt kind but i couldnt wait to get cracking on with it Boxes piled up in the garden First part up and the rest "arranged" over the garden Starting to come together Taaaa daaaaa ready for its first two Occupants - it had taken about 2 1/2 hrs to put together (2 people) After first night in the cube and this is the first day in the run. It took them a while to come out and negotiate the ladder No problem finding the food The girls Mabel (left) Bunty (right) First day "free ranging" Two latest additions (yesterday) Ethel (right) Phyllis (left) two amberlinks 12 weeks old I am really happy with the girls. Mabel seems to want to be boss but also enjoys sprinting around the garden (especially to chase the black birds) I really like the cube. when i cleaned it last weekend, it was effortless. It took two of us to move in to its new postion in the garden. We want to move it around often to save the lawn. Will have to see how that works. The hens have had no problem getting up and down the ladder, they all put themselves to bed. Even the new girls have got the hang of it already!! I hope to keep you all updated on how my girlies are getting on Edited April 16, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyChickenLover- Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Your girls are beautiful Good to see that you are getting on well with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teacake Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 oooh they are lovely xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share Posted February 26, 2011 thank you!! i have wanted hens for as long as i can remember but OH put his foot down. He finally gave in and it looks like he is getting as much enjoyment out of them as i am. I did think they would eat more greens than they are doing. They havent touched the carrot peelings etc, but they are eating lots of grass, corn and layers so i am not that concerned at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracyann Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Hi, welcome to the forum, your hens are lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueandwhite Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Ahh lovely. Try boiling the peelings for about 10 minutes (leave to cool), mine prefer them a bit softer, fussy girls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share Posted February 26, 2011 thanks blue and white - i'll give that a go! Although they didnt touch the boiled new potatoes i offered them either! Although my parrot will be happy as more for him. I gave them left over boiled rice and they ate that. I have looked after my friends hens on many occasions and they love anything and everything. I was just suprised these seem to be a bit more reserved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Random_Girl66 Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Lovely hens . I've only been an owner (plus chickens) for a couple of weeks but already envying the cube set up ! My chickens have also not been as keen on some foods as I expected. They weren't fussed about cooked carrots, a hanging cauli or cabbage or even grapes. Love the meal worms though and pasta! I've assumed it's because they are out and about all day and so get plenty of grass and bugs. So the idea of turning kitchen s"Ooops, word censored!"s into eggs doesn't seem to be working at the moment - never mind, best buy another composter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Ahh lovely. Try boiling the peelings for about 10 minutes (leave to cool), mine prefer them a bit softer, fussy girls! Mine prefer boiled peelings too and wont touch raw carrots they will become more confident in time especially once they start laying in time they will probably eat everything and anything you give them mine are like vultures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JillM Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 How lovely... And what a wonderful present! How have the new introductions gone? White colour eggs will the amberlinks lay? Bunty looks about ready to lay, have you had any eggs yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Lovely fluffy bums. Didn't take long for Morehens Disease to strike They've got lots of grass so I wouldn't worry if they don't eat the veg. Love the picture of Mabel looking straight at you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorax Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 It's great isn't it? We got our cube and four hens last September and love it/them. Ours have become much more adventurous about what they'll eat over time. I think they're like toddlers in that they often take a while to become used to certain foods. Ours go mental for left over cornflakes (which is handy as my toddler INSISTS on having cornflakes put into her bowl, plus milk, then leaves it). The hens didn't used to like potatoes, but now go potty for them. Plus your hens will eat more when they start laying (and don't worry if the eggs aren't too golden to begin with, ours were really pale and I was so disappointed but before long they became beautiful and orange). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted February 27, 2011 Author Share Posted February 27, 2011 How lovely... And what a wonderful present! How have the new introductions gone? Yes i am totally thrilled! I am pleased that OH has taken to them very well. He is keen on letting them out in the morning and he isnt one for early starts especially on a weekend. The introduction is going ok, although Mabel is giving the amberlinks a bit of grief. I let them free range all day yesterday but i am keeping them in the run for a few hours before i let them out as when i am at work next week i wont be able to monitor them during the day. I also have my name down on a couple of ex batts but i think i will have a rent an eglu for the introductions for those as its april before they are ready and i dont want them to be harrassed too much. White colour eggs will the amberlinks lay? Bunty looks about ready to lay, have you had any eggs yet? Amberlinks will lay brown eggs, not sure on the shade of brown. Bunty was crouching yesterday so i think an egg is imminent. I am really pleased with them all, I was entertained greatly yesterday when i was cleaning the kitchen and they were chasing everything and anything in the garden. I am paranoid about foxes though, orginally i was going to let them free range whilst i was at work but i couldnt bare anything to happen to them. I am not sure of the fox situation here, i live in a rural area and i have seen plenty of badgers but never a fox. I am convinced they are about but i dont know anyone around here that has chickens to ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Congratulations! Your girls are gorgeous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted February 27, 2011 Author Share Posted February 27, 2011 thank you!! had a really good day with them today. I left them in the run for a few hours to get to know eachother a bit more. I let them out about 10am to free range while i was pottering about. After i cam back from shopping the inlaws came over to see them. They were really impressed (they had put towards my present) my MIL was mostly impressed. She is scared of birds but throught the cube was a massive set up and thought it would take over the garden but realised is didnt at all. After our visitors had left, i decided to clean it out. Bunty especially was very interested and soon found myself with a little "helper". Mabel then decided she wanted to go to bed, I just cleaned out the trays and put them back in while cleaning the perching bars, Mabel was inside the cube scratching in the sawdust!!! All in all i have had a lovely weekend. Having the girls around really made my weekend and cannot wait for the next weekend Love to all xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted March 2, 2011 Author Share Posted March 2, 2011 after almost a week of having the amberlinks i think mabel is calming down somewhat. She doesnt appear to be pecking at the youngesters as much as she has been doing although i imagine this may be a different story while i am at work. I am looking forward to the weekend to let them have full run of the garden. No eggs yet from Bunty, although she still is crouching so possibly any day now I also have been contacted by BHWT today. The ex batts should be ready for the 16th April and have been told they will be intouch leading up to that date!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted March 5, 2011 Author Share Posted March 5, 2011 After a week of introducing the amberlinks everyone seems very happy now. My concerns over mabel being a bully has subsided but she is still chasing the backbirds around the garden Good new yesterday I have my first egg!!!!! I am convinced Bunty has laid the egg. No eggs this morning but Bunty headed back into the hen house earlier so i might have another waiting for me!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 Woo hoo! Did you do the Egg Dance? It'll be the BEST egg you've ever tasted. How are you going to have it? Poached? Boiled? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted March 5, 2011 Author Share Posted March 5, 2011 i am thinking of having it for my tea tonight. Smoked makeral with poached egg mmmm I need to save as many as i can for tuesday though! be wicked if we can have proper homemade panckakes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted March 5, 2011 Author Share Posted March 5, 2011 i am thinking of having it for my tea tonight. Smoked makeral with poached egg mmmm was tastey mash potato, the smoked fish on top of that with a poached egg resting on top! absolutely lovley tea The girls have been free ranging all day today, I am really pleased that they all are now getting along Can we come in?? hmmm whats this then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 Ha ha. That's a real "Hey, you in there!" look Perhaps she thinks you are in a human cube and is wondering if you are going to come out and FR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 Congratulations on the egg it is so good cooking with the girls eggs. I think your ginger girl is looking for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 Love the photo's . Your girls look lovely, and congratulations on your first egg . Didn't take long for Morehens to take hold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted March 6, 2011 Author Share Posted March 6, 2011 the ginger one is bunty and its her eggs ive been eating!!! henslaved - i have two ex batts coming in April. I am going to the free range farm next weekend to collect 10 for my friend but my OH wont come because he knows we will end up with a boot full and nohere for them to go which is funny as Ive had the lecture theyre your hens, you look after them.... that didnt last long yesterday i boiled up some carrots that were just on the turn and parsnips. then mashed them with a little butter to tempt them. Nope! the bowl is still outside. They are going to try mash potato today from last nights tea - saved some in the pan I dont think they understand worms yet either. I was putting peelings in the compost bin and they ran over to seewhat i was doing and i put the bin lid on the floor which had about 30 worms in it..... Bunty picked up a worm from the lid and put it o the grass, the other girls came over and they all just crowed round and watched it....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 henslaved - i have two ex batts coming in April. I am going to the free range farm next weekend to collect 10 for my friend but my OH wont come because he knows we will end up with a boot full and nohere for them to go which is funny as Ive had the lecture theyre your hens, you look after them.... that didnt last long Sounds like you're going to need another cube Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
