jacquiefrost Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 Well I've had my 3 Girls a week and a half now, and they are settling in nicely. I am very new to all this so it is all a major learning curve for me. I have been able to pick up Rolo the goldline twice now (although she doesn't like it yet)! She is very happy to be stroked while feeding by my feet. Skittle the speckled sussex just about tolerates being stroked while feeding (i am hoping to be able to pick her up in the next day or so once she relaxes a bit more), but Poppy the RIR is so jumpy and as yet i can't touch her without her fleeing in panic. It's early days but i hope perseverance will change this soon. Just need the weather to stay good as i have to do all this while they are free range as i don't have a walk in run. Rolo has been laying for the last 4 days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennie186 Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 I am a newbie too. I have had 2 chickens for 3 or 4 weeks - Doris & Mabel. They are very big - buff Orpingtons - about 18months old I think. I couldn't catch them at first but they calmed down after a week or so. I can now stroke them while they are eating treats and I try to pick them up and pet them every day. When I put them down I give them a mealy worm treat to tell them how brave they are. They are following me up and down the garden - they are so sweet. I just want to keep them safe! Oh and the first week we had a few eggs then nothing the second week. But now laying every day or every other day. So exciting when we get 2 eggs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacquiefrost Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 i was very tempted by the buff orpingtons, they are lovely. But ended up with a rhode island red (Poppy) a speckled sussex (Skittle) and a goldline (Rolo) I am hoping Skittle and Poppy chill out a bit once they start laying as the are both so scared of me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
number1chick_2008 Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Glad things are settling for you too. We have had our four for two weeks now and they seemed to have worked out their issues! (mainly). One is quite happy to feed from your hand, but the others just will not entertain the thought. Happy for you to be around them when they are feeding but as soon as you move they are off again. Not much luck picking them up either just one has been brave enough so far, lots of chasing around, very funny. We have had 15 eggs so far!! Four yesterday so they obviously don't think its so bad living with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacquiefrost Posted September 15, 2013 Author Share Posted September 15, 2013 Wow, 15 eggs, that's good. only one of mine is laying at the moment. No improvement on them trusting me yet. If anything they are getting wise to my trying to pick them up and are avoiding me, they now grab bits of food and run! They are not quite so keen to let me stroke them now Feeling a bit disappointed as it was going so well. At least they are getting on better now, and Skittle is happy in the run with the other two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
