Tigiga Posted September 21, 2013 Author Share Posted September 21, 2013 (edited) Well there was a slight drama this morning - all my fault, of course! I had the bright idea of putting a tree branch in the run for interest for them and I had some from when I trimmed back a large bay tree. Anyway, in I went and I did not shut door to run door properly and Theodora I call her Dora for short went out! I tried to catch her but she just went round and round the run, running in the opposite direction when I approached, stopped for a bit of foraging when I left her alone! I tried to throw a large blanket over her but no she was too quick for me! I had not clipped their wings so I was certain she will fly off into a tree or neighbours garden or worse into the road. But fortunately she just kept to the run and seemed to want to join the other hens, just did not know how! In the end I opened the run door hoping against hope that the others would not come out too, met her from the other direction and in she went running in! I am not sure who was most relieved, me or Dora or indeed Tabitha and the other hens who were all watching this unfold! Note to self Remember the door! Edited September 21, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigiga Posted September 21, 2013 Author Share Posted September 21, 2013 Plum, yes the names are, what I consider to be old fashioned English names, that I like! (Belle is short for Isabelle and Dora short for Theodora!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 Welcome to our world I've got a large fishing net to catch mine, you have to go very slowly and catch them unawares. I don't clip wings as I have very high fences, boy can they fly when they want to. When they get a little older they should crouch when you come up behind them. This is a natural instinct, as they are preparing themselves for the cockerel. Although not all of mine do this. Dried corn in a plastic container is a good idea, use it as a treat you can shake the container they'll soon make the association . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigiga Posted September 21, 2013 Author Share Posted September 21, 2013 Thank you Sonyascot, I only got them yesterday so they do not yet associate anything with treats yet! But i will make sure they do soon, training starts this afternoon! My Miss Pepperpot did crouch when I went to pick her up this morning, the others did not, yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 Oooh eggs within 10 days of crouching Great description of your antics I keep a long garden cane for chicken herding. Budgie is so shy she doesn't come for corn and I often have to guide her into the run. I don't clip my girls wings anymore because I found they could jump as high as they could fly and still jumped out of their area, little madams I had to resort to other techniques. Hybrids are on the whole heavier girls so less likely to be in the trees. My little pekin did shoot upwards 6ft first time out in garden to the top of the WIR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigiga Posted September 21, 2013 Author Share Posted September 21, 2013 Worth it! They are enjoying the tree branch climbing up it and dodging under it! And pecking at the creepy crawlies that emerge from under the bark! I also placed a log about 40cm high in the run, which makes a perfect stool for me to sit and get to know my girls and try and take their portraits! Lots of photos including a huge number of their backsides! I look forward to the eggs, you might be right Plum, Pearl is the only one of my girls with a red comb, so she will be a lady soon ( I intend to refer to my girls as ladies once they start laying)! I am going away for a long weekend in 3 weeks, friend looking after my girls, hope they do not give him their first egg! Talk about possessive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 It's my young cram legbar that can really fly, she's amazing. Not high, but far. The light Sussex can fly really well too. She is over a year old and a really good layer. She doesn't crouch, another good flyer, they just don't follow the rules in the books, but I don't love them any less for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 If you've got a croucher I think you might have an egg before you go away tigiger. Fingers crossed . It's scary isn't it all that sudden responsibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Your girls sound lovely. I can't wait to see some pics when you can do it. I think I would be jealous of any egg that arrived while I was away too. I hope an egg comes for you soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigiga Posted September 22, 2013 Author Share Posted September 22, 2013 Pearl crouches every time I approach her, and her comb is red so hopefully eggs soon. The girls managed to put themselves to bed last night and tonight, but with a fair amount of fussing about! Gertrude always last one in and last one out too! Coming out was very straight forward this morning, unlike yesterday! I do have to watch them though as I caught sight of the fox this morning, at 6 am having a look, he ran off as soon as he saw me, so I might leave it till later to open the door of the cube and letting them into the run! They certainly will not be free ranging with that fox hanging about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Shame about the fox, but at least you've spotted it early. If you have any male members in your household encourage them to empty their bladders in the garden, I've no proof that it works, but lots of people recommend it. Was it still dark or dusky at 6, I would wait until it is properly light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigiga Posted September 23, 2013 Author Share Posted September 23, 2013 Dawn was breaking so it was just getting light I left them in the coop till after 7 today even though I could here them moving about and clucking in there! I have heard and read about male urine scenting! Will give it a go, if it helps that would be good! But I am still not leaving them out to free range! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigiga Posted October 3, 2013 Author Share Posted October 3, 2013 Had first egg Yesterday. And I dropped it by the kitchen door, whilst holding it up to show my neighbour! It was so perfectly formed too! Well done Pearl! I promise to be more careful with your next ones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Oh what a shame, but what a clever girl. I went to fetch my eggs one day, put them in a bowl and closed the eglu, when I turned round they had gone , 3 of them. My labrador max had eaten the lot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigiga Posted October 3, 2013 Author Share Posted October 3, 2013 Labradors do like to eat! I was gutted! but as the egg stayed in the shell somehow, I only lost most of the white and the yolk was intact, so I fried it and had it on a bit of toast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Ha ha, that's really made me laugh. Waste not want not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigiga Posted October 5, 2013 Author Share Posted October 5, 2013 Clever girl Pearl laid another egg yesterday! Before I went out to check the nesting box, I lined a basket with a tea towel and that is how I carried the precious second egg! I was not taking any chances. It is beautiful if a bit small at 45grms! She deserved the bit of extra corn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
