craig99 Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 (edited) Hi all, we got our first hens yesterday. 3 Bovan Goldline's, they're brilliant! Unfortunately they're first experience of the eglu run was a snowy one. I have a cover over the whole 3 meters but I think it's probably making the the whole 'settling in' experience a little more difficult. So far they have let the eglu, but are staying down that end of the run and haven't come to get any food or drink yet. Is there anything I should do to entice them towards the food and drink or should I just let them find it in their own time? I did throw a small handful of corn down for them to peck, which they have been eating. I'll post some pictures once I get them on flickr. Cheers Craig Edited February 5, 2012 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Congratulations They'll find the food and water sooner or later just keep an eye on the water and change it if it freezes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Congrats on your new girls - they must think they've been rehoused in the arctic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Congratulations . They'll be quite shy and nervy to start with but once they start coming up to the door end, just spend some time talking to them and perhaps putting a little corn down for them. Eventually you can get them to eat from your hand and stroke them if they let you. Once they start laying, they should crouch and handling them will become a lot easier. (I'm in the middle of this process right now!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig99 Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 Thanks for the help all! They've still not found the pellet and water, but they're digging and playing in the leaves. Here's a couple of quick pic's I took this morning. From Eglu to Igloo! Snowed in by craigjohnson99, on Flickr Nancy by craigjohnson99, on Flickr Lorraine and Jane by craigjohnson99, on Flickr Lorraine and Jane by craigjohnson99, on Flickr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Congratulations on your first hens I'm sure they'll settle quickly You could clear the snow from the cover on the run (if you haven't already) so its a bit brighter for them...that might make them feel a bit chirpier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig99 Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 Yea, after taking that first picture I cleared all the snow off to let some light in. I tried to remove some of the snow that was in the run too. They've started making their way to the food and water, but not actually touched it yet. I could watch them all day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Thanks for the help all! They've still not found the pellet and water, but they're digging and playing in the leaves. Have to say, looking at your pix, I can't find the pellets and water either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig99 Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 Thanks for the help all! They've still not found the pellet and water, but they're digging and playing in the leaves. Have to say, looking at your pix, I can't find the pellets and water either haha, in the last picture you can just about see a bit of the grub. I popped my hand in to take the photo so it's behind the camera. I can assure you, food and water is available! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Thanks for the help all! They've still not found the pellet and water, but they're digging and playing in the leaves. Have to say, looking at your pix, I can't find the pellets and water either haha, in the last picture you can just about see a bit of the grub. I popped my hand in to take the photo so it's behind the camera. I can assure you, food and water is available! Only teasing you Must say, you've made it really lovely in the run for your girls - good idea with the tyre! Is that going to be their dust bath? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig99 Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 Thank you! Yea once all this snowy/wet weather goes I'm going to have that as the dust bath. was going to add something to perch on too and a few things to keep them busy whilst they're in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 They've probably got water from pecking the snow. They are lovely congratulations. All those leaves are really interesting for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizzyMomma Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Hi! Lovely looking girls there, they will find their way to the feed and water, don't worry..they need to find their bearings and also get used to your routine too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 I could watch them all day! Yep...you can easily waste hours watching them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Congratulations on your first girls, they are lovely and yes totally time wasters! Don't worry they will find the food and water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 It's so exciting getting your first girls. They are the best entertainment and pick me up you could ever wish for. Yours are lovely by the way, and I might just copy that tyre idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig99 Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 Thank you everyone for your kind words and advice. I popped out this afternoon and didn't get back until it was dark. I came home to find that they'd all put themselves to bed already. I thought I may have had to encourage them a bit, so I'm well pleased with that. I was going to fill the tyre up with compost and possibly some sand? Do I add the red mite powder in too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Yep, my girls have a plastic dog bed which I fill with compost, play sand and Diatom...they love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig99 Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 What sort of sand to compost ratio should you be looking at roughly?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 I just make it up as I go along really! Couldn't specify quantities Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Congratulations on your first hens! You will spend lots of time admiring them I'm sure. Keep posting pictures for us. As for the dustbath I use bird sand with a sprinkling/covering of compost. You can sprinkle some diatom or louse powder if you so wish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
