redsunset Posted November 8, 2014 Author Share Posted November 8, 2014 Thank you Mars, and yes they are very effective little grass cutters, in my case a bit to much so and patches of mud now in places. Another job to rectify next year! And as for how many chooks I have now, well let's just say we are not quite at the Defra threshold yet....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 8, 2014 Author Share Posted November 8, 2014 Looking forward to tomorrow and I bet they go around in a little group of three, terrified of the big gang already in residence! Be interesting to see if the doodlebugs notice and decide THEY have moved up a rung on the pecking order ladder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 8, 2014 Author Share Posted November 8, 2014 Bought a mountain of wholewheat bread in tesco tonight along with cherry tomatoes. I find lots of treats in the first couple of days helps to appease the oldies when newbies join the flock. Think I might switch to mash tomorrow as well (another crowd pleaser) anything for a quiet life is my motto and should help the intros. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 "Crowd pleaser" that's hilarious. Are your gang noisy? How many of them egg announce? X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 8, 2014 Author Share Posted November 8, 2014 Yup, they sure do egg announce normally......but at the moment only getting about 6 eggs a day instead of the usual 2 doz so very quiet! Heavy moults plus age/winter has thrown them out of sorts. And the crowd pleaser is for a quiet life, or should I say my neighbours as I'm quite deaf but they aren't! And the boys are cock a doodle doing here and there again, after the moult subduing them! The old sussex hen is very vocal at any time, or just when she darn well feels like it! She is three and a head honcho so no doubt will be judge and jury combined tomorrow when she spots the newbies!..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 Knew I wouldn't last till morning.....snuck down with torch and the newbies were snuggled together on floor between perches, and all peaceful. Opened the pop hole for the morning. On way back noticed three in the willows, 2 speckledys and an Isa, so still Al fresco! Doodles will be up the Ash tree as per with mum. More determined now to get new shed to house all of them, tho they may still choose the trees. Think a 12x8 dutchbarn type? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Wake up redsunset to see your hens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 That sounds like hen heaven, wow your girls just get luckier by the day x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Redsunset what's going on?! Let's see the newbies! I bet she's out playing with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 Red sunset snoozed on till after 10! Found a newbie in my bit of garden, thankfully before I let the dogs out! Beautiful day and they came rushing up the drive with the others at bread crumble time, to the point where I lost them amongst the flock due to fully developed combs! Now they are hanging around at the back of the house pecking around the gravel near the feeding bowls. Let the dogs out so they could see them and hopefully know not to try and fly into that section, but the grass is very lush that side so will be keeping an eye out before the hounds get out for a while. No pecking from the others yet or anything untoward so hopefully integrations should be a doddle?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 Newbies put themselves to bed, not necessarily in the same coop and one blagged a nest box snuggled next to a leghorn! Had a panic as only counted six brown but then remembered one up in the willows, phew. Seems they are settled in very well so am happy with that Really need to get a shed ordered as worried incase it gets frosty and the doodles get cold even though they are getting pretty big now. I am sure two of them are boys due to size and tail length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 You have such a beautiful setup. It must be so lovely to have so many girls wandering around everywhere I guessed you would be excited but I wasn't expecting to read your post time of just after 1am Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 You have such a beautiful setup.It must be so lovely to have so many girls wandering around everywhere Oh I agree, but can you imagine the poop I struggle keeping 5 clean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 10, 2014 Author Share Posted November 10, 2014 Luvackicken as you have guessed I am a night owl, lol! Gavclojak the poop is another matter, but spend an hour on a Saturday with a fifty foot hose blasting the gravel etc. it's not fun cleaning the coops at this time of year due to the length of time they spend in them which is why I now 'need' a shed. I intend to put a deep litter on the floor of it of wood shavings and aubiose mix which would then make cleaning a doddle even with over 40 chooks. Will take time to organise at this time of year as I'd need an area cleared for a shed base but if not before Christmas then definitely soon afterwards is the plan! Newbies are doing fine, did see one having a 20 second spat with a speckledy earlier but it was over in a flash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 A night owl indeed redsunset I think a shed sounds like an excellent idea to provide some shelter. They are some very lucky girls. Hope you get your shed soon before the weather really sets in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 10, 2014 Author Share Posted November 10, 2014 So do I. Have a chap coming tomorrow am before I go to work to see about site clearance and stabbing for a shed so it's a start, hopefully. Weather is not too bad this week so hope he can start fairly soon and then I can order shed? I also intend to put Lino on the shed floor (a client recommended that for ease of cleaning, before you think I've lost the plot) she did it with hers and easy to clean out compared to the wood base. Then it will be a case of cutting pop holes and putting a wide ladder rack inside for roosting. Did toy with the idea of an external nest box being built but as it will be expensive enough doing that lot in the next month or two, will just put a row of boxes or basins inside for nest boxes? Hen I just need a Welsh dresser and a chandelier......kidding!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 10, 2014 Author Share Posted November 10, 2014 I MUST proof read, that was supposed to read then, not Hen! My iPad has got me into trouble/hilarity in the Past, sorry folks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I know. You meant Hens just need a Welsh dresser and a chandelier. Spoilt ladies they are And as for what you wear on your feet in your own garden, well that's your business Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 10, 2014 Author Share Posted November 10, 2014 I knew there would be one smart Alec on here to remind me lol!! I am very partial to my funky wellies now I'll have you know....... ipad happy with wellies after the third go!....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Hen I just need a Welsh dresser and a chandelier......kidding!!! And some pretty curtains for the windows And some nice winter hanging baskets for the outside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 11, 2014 Author Share Posted November 11, 2014 How did you guess re the curtains! Been looking at to many fancy American coops me,lol! Was thinking more topiary spirals in pots, too windy fr winter baskets.... I'd be sectioned by friends and family if I did any of the above!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 The ones I wanted (speckled Sussex) were going at crazy prices so....she didn't bid. OOhh Redsunset. last Sunday I attended Bring & Buy poultry Sale. I thought of you. speckled sussex POL 15 Euro each. RIR POL 15 Euro each, I bought 2 pairs buff orpingtons 16 weeks old. at 25 euro a pair. they are so good I thought they were 20 weeks old. the man refused to sell the hens alone. now I am stuck with 2 cockerels, I don't know what to do with them. I had to put my hands tightly in pocket to stop myself buying more. wish you were there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 12, 2014 Author Share Posted November 12, 2014 That WAS a good price! Up in NW scotland they were going for £65 for two! Read that some of the laced Wyandottes were going at £105 for two or it might have been three? And last year friend got me two SLW Wyandottes along with a funny little black cross breed with turquoise earlobes in the crate for £20?? I'd hatch some myself but know I couldn't cull a boy so that's out. Prep on the ground for new shed and drainage starts tomorrow. Not nice weather but thankfully bare earth to level and couple of trees to remove so not to bad. Now to find a shed online and more importantly a supplier who won't balk at the delivery address! I don't mind arranging delivery from Glasgow myself but so many online retailers won't send up north, so annoying. Pouring rain tonight and I have no doubt the doodles are up a tree as per... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flowerpot Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 I have so enjoyed reading all these posts I thought I was mad because since getting my girls - I only have five - I won't go away overnight anywhere anymore because I love to be there when they go to bed. I don't always manage it because of work but I always tuck them in and say goodnight when I get home so that I know they are safe and sound. They still have a bit of a squabble when they go into the coup but then they settle and I love the imagine them snuggling down and sleeping well. I have friends who will close them up and open in the morning but I am afraid that I can't let go of the joy of it much to the upset of my friends and family who live in different areas of the country. Heyho I suppose one day the novelty will wear off????? Flowerpot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 14, 2014 Author Share Posted November 14, 2014 Flowerpot....may the novelty never wear off, lol! I am lucky in that if I do go off the island for a wee hol, my mum will come over and stay here to look after all my chooks, 2 cats and 2 dogs Just ordered my Dutch barn shed for the girls today so hopefully all going well, it should be here in a couple of weeks? Ground cleared/levelled and corner slaps laid. A base will be built to make sure it does not come near the ground. Just noticed I will have to cut down a big healthy tree as those sheds have double doors and it will be right smack in front! Hate cutting down a tree! Am quite excited to see it all done and the girls in a nice cosy place before we get awful weather hopefully. Not to mention it will be a doddle to clean with a nice deep litter and a snow shovel! Back to work now to make some money to help pay for all this........I must be mad with Christmas round the corner! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
