sim Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Hi everyone! We got our girls yesterday and I was pretty surprised to be presented with two eggs this morning! Clever girls! Here are some photos for your delectation. First egg, Bramble laid it. Iggy and Flump. Iggy's got bright orange feathers on her neck, Flump's got a pale, flumpy bum. Bramble. I think she's a bit older? She gets dibs on tiny slugs and worms that I've been bringing them while they're stuck in their run. Iggy, Flump, Bramble. The fox-proofing's still work-in-progress as far as aesthetics go! We need more bark to cover the slabs. It's all pegged down too. I have a few questions too. Treats: How much is too much? They're not free-ranging yet so they only get bugs I bring to them We've given them raisins and bits of lettuce. Can you put a small bowl of treats in the run or something? Is there anything I can do to make their time in the run more interesting? Bramble's poos have been squitty today. Is this normal settling-in stuff? She's otherwise happy. The chooks keep scratching their straw out of the nesting box. Will this stop once they're out scratching in the garden? If not, how can I keep it in one place? Both the eggs have been laid on the plastic today, but they look a bit vulnerable! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 They are lovely Hanging green treats is a good idea, especially if they are not free ranging. You can hang a cabbage for them to pick at for example. I would be inclined tie treats up and attach them to the run or put them in rabbit hay rack or rodent treat ball which can be attached to the size. Anything on the ground is likely to get kicked around and soiled. I think that green treats are fine, kitchen s"Ooops, word censored!"s and things like bread can lack the nutrition that they need to produce a decent shell and can lead to soft shelled eggs (not the only cause though). Corn it fine in moderation but in excess will just make them fat. Mealworm are high in protein and are good to tempt a chicken to do just about anything Sweetcorn and grapes (some chop grapes first) are also a favourite but again in moderation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Such pretty girls and well done getting eggs already I also had a Miss Pepperpot ( sadly pts) and 2 gingernut rangers when I got mine just over 2 years ago. I love the way they look the same but different. Have fun and enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sim Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 They are lovely Hanging green treats is a good idea, especially if they are not free ranging. I bought broccoli to do just that with - d'oh! I should update my brain. I got them some sweetcorn too! We have a grape vine so I think they'll be in heaven once summer comes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sim Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 Such pretty girls and well done getting eggs already I also had a Miss Pepperpot ( sadly pts) and 2 gingernut rangers when I got mine just over 2 years ago. I love the way they look the same but different. Have fun and enjoy Oh, sorry about your chook Yes, I was a bit surprised at how I can tell them apart quite easily They are clever girls, giving us eggs already! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Great pics and lovely hens, hope they bring you lots of joy ours certainly do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sim Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 Great pics and lovely hens, hope they bring you lots of joy ours certainly do. They're lovely to watch. Our 17 month old loves them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henergy Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Gorgeous pics. One of mine was a bit squitty to start - I think it was the stress of the move. I tried a bit of natural yoghurt with a handful of oats & it seemed to do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sim Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 Gorgeous pics. One of mine was a bit squitty to start - I think it was the stress of the move. I tried a bit of natural yoghurt with a handful of oats & it seemed to do the trick. Thanks for your advice. I'm not overly worried as she's drinking plenty, just wondered if it was normal really. Mmm, oaty yoghurt! We make fresh yoghurt, might get some on the go tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sim Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 Completely forgot to post the first egg meal! Mmmm, straight out of a chicken's bum, can't get fresher than that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyChickenLover- Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Those pics are absolutely fabulous And that egg looks delicious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sim Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 Those pics are absolutely fabulous And that egg looks delicious It really was the best egg I've ever tasted. We've got another but I ought to save it for my partner... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyChickenLover- Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 We've got another but I ought to save it for my partner... They need never know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sim Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 We've got another but I ought to save it for my partner... They need never know... He already know about it. I need to learn the art of egg concealment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Looking good I want scrambled eggs now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sim Posted April 15, 2011 Author Share Posted April 15, 2011 Looking good I want scrambled eggs now I'm only craving poached eggs. It just feels that, to cook them any other way, detracts from the pure flavour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 After that picture, I'm craving a poached egg now too. Think I know what I'll be having for my breaky tomorrow Lovely pictures of your girls too, particularly that one where they are both going through the door together. They clearly have both been brought up on 'ladies first' A good treat and boredom buster is half a coconut hung up. Mine love it and it keeps them busy for ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 That poached egg does look very tasty..... The first egg I had, I had to scramble because that was the easiest to share - with my sister who lives in Greece and had come to stay. Can't wait for some more eggs ....one day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teacake Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 your hens look gorgeous and your egg delicious, if only I could poach eggs. how do you do it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 if only I could poach eggs. how do you do it? Without sounding big header, I'm quite a good cook and love cooking new things, but I CANNOT poach an egg! I swirl the water, the white disintegrates, I don't swirl the water, it disintegrates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouldercroft Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 if only I could poach eggs. how do you do it? Without sounding big header, I'm quite a good cook and love cooking new things, but I CANNOT poach an egg! I swirl the water, the white disintegrates, I don't swirl the water, it disintegrates me too and then I discovered these amazing things...success everytime! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchen-Craft-Egg-Poacher-Non-Stick/dp/B0001IWVFI/ref=pd_sim_kh_3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sim Posted April 16, 2011 Author Share Posted April 16, 2011 You get the water boiling, break the egg into a little dish, then you dip the dish into the water allowing the egg to slide into the water. If you 'drop' the egg into the water it's more likely to break up. You can use vinegar in the water but we don't. Perfect egg, yum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 you can poach eggs in clingfilm and they stay together beautifully! line a cup or something with clingfilm; break egg into it; twist the clingfilm so it forms a seal; poach egg to your liking; remove onto kitchen paper, untwist the clingfilm and put egg onto your toast. perfick everytime, and no drips of water from the egg to make your toast go soggy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
