Warm boot recommendations please

[jan_novice_chicken_keeper]

Well, another good day with my beautiful girls, the gorgeous Three Degrees, who have survived being let out by over-enthusiastic toddlers (they went back into the run voluntarily for safety!), invaded by toddlers who let themselves into the run, and a very sunny day - fine once I got the long shade DH had included in my parcel onto the run. (Our garden is south facing with almost no natural shade.) I don't know how we managed without the girls - the garden seems much more 'complete' now. I do need to sort out a way of securing the run door which is toddler proof asap.

 

I've added some new pictures here:

http://club.omlet.co.uk/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=13247

 

The girls have settled in really well so far, after the start I listed in yesterday's post. I have yet to manage to pick one up, but I may try picking them up after roosting tomorrow. I am worried about hurting them if I have to make a grab for it whilst they are on the move. (Mind you, I was also panic stricken to see Delores lying down this morning and rang my SIL to check if this was normal, whilst dashing outside to chekc on her - she jumped up at the noise of the back door opening, annoyed at being disturbed in her sunbathing. )

 

They have put themselves to bed two nights in a row, which is fab, and are really very friendly, especially Dotty. A treat of sunflower seeds went down very well indeed tonight. Our final comedy moment (there have been so many today ) was a repeat performance of the goodnight Hokey Cokey - with all three of them in and out about 20 times in quarter of an hour or so until they finally went to bed. Once I was confident they were roosting, I shut the door, and Delores promptly started banging on the door from the inside I hope they are happy in there...........

 

Finally, I can not get over the amount of poop!!!!

 

Jan

[jan_novice_chicken_keeper]

Delores was annoyed at being disturbed, not SIL who was creased up laughing.........

[little Red Hen]

What fantastic pics!!!! They are beautiful. Glad to hear that they're settling in well and giving you so much fun. Mine get more comical by the day and yes your right. boy can they poo! I read in one book that a chicken can do upto 4oz of poo a day!!

[Kathy C]

Congratulations Jan. Great photos and what lovely names for them.

 

The poo volume is incredible you are right, it does settle down a bit after a couple of weeks. We think that they are producing a little less now that a couple are laying (not Peri yet), or its it that we are used to it

[chelsea]

gorgeous chickens, fab pics and an equally fab purple eglu

 

Ours make a lot of noise at bedtime too....lots of banging and faffing around until they're settled and even carries on when we shut the door.

 

Never seen the hokey cokey here though !!

[Hen Watch]

Hi Jan,

 

It takes a few days to gain confidence picking them up. Don't worry. When mine arrived, every evening after I'd shut the door, I would open the eggport and take out a chook to cuddle. Did this every night for a week. I did get a bit scratched on the arm by their toenails once but only because they were not used to it. Doesn't happen now.

 

Also my first few attempts at catching them during the day were a bit like a comedy sketch. Me, pacing round the garden behind a chicken that was trying to get away, or, me not holding them right and with one flap they were off.

 

No probs now though.......it just takes time.

[jan_novice_chicken_keeper]

Thanks, Kate, I feel much better now.

 

Yesterday, after DS let them out was hilarious (he wanted to stroke one). He's yelling 'catch one Mummy, go on' with DD1 saying 'here chicky chicky' (and the chickens running towards her ! ) whilst I paced after the hens, trying not to frighten them, fingers meeting just behind a chicken's bottom each time as I didn't want to end up with a handful of feathers.

 

DD1 probably would have caught them, but I was very bothered about the hens and told her not too (she's only 2 - and they were not thrilled when she got into the run with them in the morning). She was crying laughing at me trying to get them. After a couple of minutes, they decided that the run was the safest place in the garden and darted back in. I'm sure they'd have shut the door behind themselves if they could have done. Poor girls. Hopefully, I've toddler proofed the door catch for now.....

 

I'll keep trying with picking them up. They are definitely pretty friendly overall, and have been eating from my hands this evening, and letting me stroke them, so there is definitely hope.

 

Jan

[chocchick]

annoyed at being disturbed in her sunbathing. )

It can be scary when they just keel over on one side when you're not expecting it

Mine have started lounging around a lot since Abbie started doing it, they used to stand before she arrived

 

Watch out for the way they keep cool in hot weather-lifting their wings out from their body so they look like they are wearing a twinset. It's really funny.

[Laura & CTB]

Watch out for the way they keep cool in hot weather-lifting their wings out from their body so they look like they are wearing a twinset. It's really funny.

 

 

I had no idea chickens do this until I saw Gucci strutting round the garden wings akimbo- hillarious!