IanT Posted May 10, 2012 Author Share Posted May 10, 2012 Well I finally got the correct (grower) food through the post, together with some Cider apple vinegar and a new rabbit style drinker. Glad we are now feeding them what they need. Am a little annoyed that the supplier sold us the wrong food, but more annoyed that they were feeding them the wrong food too. Just hope they will be ok. They seem to like the grower pellets too so thats good. I opened the door of their run last night when they were sunbathing, but none wanted to free range, they had a nose then went back to sunbathe! Had a bit of drama overnight. Got downstairs and looked out the window to see the grass strewn with big white feathers! I was horrified and looked at the run, the house and a closer look at the feathers revealed them to be from a herring gull. I went to let our hens out of their Eglu and for the first time they were not eager to come down the ladder. They obviously heard a commotion earlier! So I'll have to be vigilant and make sure they stay safe. Its made me think they have seen a predator before and which is why they didnt FR last night? Anyway, at least they are all well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Potts Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 Hi, Ian. I think the predator thing is in-built. Mine got frightened by a gull the other day and all ran back to the WIR for cover, so wondered if they confuse the gull call with hawks? They shout at cats, though, so obviously aren't scared of those? Lovely hens, lovely set up by the way. Mrs Potts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanT Posted May 27, 2012 Author Share Posted May 27, 2012 Well we have had some developments lately.. During a free range, one ended up over the fence so I had to go round next door and retrieve it. Armed with some mealworms (but having never picked up a chicken before) I decided there was no time like the present. Thankfully it was DarthVader who had escaped, and she is the friendliest of the bunch. After 5 minutes of me chasing her round the neighbour's garden I think she just thought, oh well, might as well behave, I picked her up, tucked her under my arm and we walked home. It was lovely and even when I put her back in her run she didnt panic but looked round at me and then simply walked away to her friends. Then two days later (yesterday) she was very vocal. I thought this was her way of telling us she wanted out to FR. We then noticed she had disappeared into the Eglu. She came out and went back in again. Then we thought no (we were not expecting eggs for a few more weeks at least as the girls are still young - maybe 17 weeks), but there was a lovely little egg! And the clever girl did the same thing this morning! I was on my own working in the garden when I first discovered the egg and I whooped with joy and laughed out loud. Goodness knows what the neighbours think! First egg! by IanT530, on Flickr The first egg is laid! by IanT530, on Flickr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 Congratulations on your first eggs There is nothing quite like it .I am sure it will be the first of many.Even after a year I still get excited every day when there are eggs.. You will never want shop eggs again free range or otherwise3 Who ate it? boiled ,poached or fried? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 Ah yes, the joy of the first egg - even now, I do the "egg dance" when one of them lays for the first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 Well done that DarthVader Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 cute girls, love the names (esp. Imperial Storm Trooper!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
