Diana1 Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 My Speckled Sussex and barn veld have not laid for months - first broody, then moulting and now the nights are drawing in I doubt if I'll get an egg before February. Sooooo new point of lay hens purchased today - two hybrids which lay better I'm lead to believe - one a Blue Moran and one a White Sussex - my dream breed colours. Fingers crossed the introduction goes well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 ...and fingers crossed the photo taking goes well too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana1 Posted October 8, 2011 Author Share Posted October 8, 2011 i'll be up at dawn tomorrow to assuage any arguments. Photos asap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memphisto Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 Hope intros go well, we introduced two to our 3 last week, it went very well. I adore the white Sussex chickens, looking forward to seeing your photos and hearing how intros have gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana1 Posted October 9, 2011 Author Share Posted October 9, 2011 just taken some snaps but it will take time to find the right connecting lead to upload. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Looking forward to your pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana1 Posted October 12, 2011 Author Share Posted October 12, 2011 Well drama yesterday. I let them mix in the open. I released the new girls from the eglu day caged space. Pirate II was the one who was most agressive and managed to pull a feather out of Annie. I then let them have not just the the netted space around the eglu but free reign of the garden and no more fighting. However when it came to roosting time, Angel and Pirate II were back to their favourite place on the kitchen windowsil. Annie and Bluebell managed to fly into the leylandi hedge despite my having clipped their wings I managed to get them all into the eglu but my worry is that they need to get themselves organised before we go away at half term. Not sure my hen babysitters would be able to handle them like me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana1 Posted October 16, 2011 Author Share Posted October 16, 2011 - hey I managed to upload the photo. Here they are my new hens - Bluebell and Annie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana1 Posted October 16, 2011 Author Share Posted October 16, 2011 - and here are the original ladies. They are not really getting on with the new girls so I've let them free range the whole garden instead of just the fenced area. The new girls, despite a wing clip, are roosting high in the tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana1 Posted October 16, 2011 Author Share Posted October 16, 2011 That's quite high up don't you think for a wing clipped bird? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldstar Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 Wow. That's really high. Are you going to be able to get her down? I am getting my new hens next weekend, I was thinking of getting a white sussex, but am now having doubts I don't fancy tree climbing to get her down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 Oh wow they look lovely girls and the original ones too, I wanted a Barnevelder but he turned out to be a fella. Are they both in the tree I could only make out a white bottom in the greenery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana1 Posted October 16, 2011 Author Share Posted October 16, 2011 They do now both roost in the tree. This picture was the first time it happened and Bluebell had roosted lower so I was able to gently grab her and post her into the eglu. They are happy and safe up there and at dawn are still there and get down themselves. I'm thinking I should have kept them in the eglu a few more days before letting them out to free-range. My current concern is that the night temperature will get colder and I would prefer if the bedded down in the lovely warm eglu. I'll look for advice on that one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 That is high roosting! Great photo's - love your Speckled Sussex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickichicky Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 crikey that is high! Love your 2 original girls! - I have 2 Speckled Sussex & 2 Barnvelders I hatched out back in May. Love them - just trying to pep talk them into laying their first eggs as they are 23 weeks old now..... But with this cold weather appraoching & darker evenings I'm wondering in that is going to happen Vicki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana1 Posted October 17, 2011 Author Share Posted October 17, 2011 Right the new girls descended from their high roost into the run around the eglu. The eglu run is currently locked with the old girls inside restrained from any arguments. My plan as they have all had something to eat and drink is to open the eglu run and see how they are getting on now. If the old girls bully the new ones into the bedroom quarters as I predict then they will be there ready for bed later and the high roosting will have been stopped. We shall see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Generally, you should keep your newbies confined to the eglu and run for 5 days so they can get a homing instinct and know where to go to roost, look in the FAQ section for some really good advice on intros (I've successfully merged 2 with 4, and am now aiming to merge another 1 with that 6). Take it slowly, step by step, and ask for help if you still have problems! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracyann Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Lovely girls. Am getting some Sussex next year. Can I ask where you got yours from? I am near Romford, Essex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana1 Posted October 17, 2011 Author Share Posted October 17, 2011 hmm no Annie to be found - looked everywhere even in neighbour' s gardens. Bluebell roosting in the tree, Speckeldy Rose and Pirate II safe in eglu. I didn't let them free range the whole garden today in the hope that they would roost in the eglu. Hopefully Annie will emerge from her hiding place in the morning. hmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana1 Posted October 18, 2011 Author Share Posted October 18, 2011 PHEW there she was high up in the tree, about two foot higher than that photo. The light is too dim to photograph. What a relief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Sounds like they need tethering. Your sculptures are amazing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana1 Posted October 18, 2011 Author Share Posted October 18, 2011 yes I'm thinking of throwing a net over the run. Did you see those hen nappies on the forum? - you can get a lead attachment . I wont be doing that. Thanks for looking at my sculpture and liking it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana1 Posted November 14, 2011 Author Share Posted November 14, 2011 Well they all get on fine now and no roosting in the trees. It was one particular rainy night that changed Annie the white sussex mind. Bluebelle had already given into the comforts of the eglu bedroom. I sooo love them all. We have all been gardening together and its fab. Just waiting for some eggs from the new hybrids.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 well done, good girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 Glad it is all working out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
