HampshireGardener Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 Well our 4 hens have settled in as though they've always been with us. The 2 Gingernut Rangers are very bold and friendly, the Columbine and the Blacktail are still a little more wary, although when I approach the run they all get very excited and welcome me. The gingernuts have on a couple of occasions Hopped out of the run as I entered in the evening to give them their bokashi bran and mealworms treats. The first time I was in a panic since I wasnt sure whether any of the dogs were outdoors. So I picked them up for the first time and popped them back through the door. Yesterday I went down with OH in case they jumped out and as one did, I had to laugh as I watched him give chase, shouting "Stay!" as though it was one of the dogs! They are not spooked by any or all of the 4 dogs being around the run, and almost seem to enjoy watching them. Hens are very nosey aren't they? They love their dust bath (90% sharp sand, 10% compost and diatom) and they throw it everywhere. We hung a white cabbage from string and they ate the whole thing within around 5 days and are now into the spring greens. I leave the cube door open all the time and this morning was the first time I was woken at 6am by them yelling at something that was scaring them. I rushed down to see what was bothering them and whether it was a fox or a cat I don't know, but they were calm once I appeared and spoke to them. I feel like a proper chicken mummy now. Only 2 of the hens are in lay at present but the younger ones are colouring up nicely so it won't be long before we have 4 eggs a day. I'm very glad we decided to get them; we're are enjoying their company and they seem to be happy being with us. My only worry now is leaving them in someone else's care when we go away for a few days shortly! Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shilojo Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 Hi Congratulations! We're off to collect our girls tomorrow (hopefully) so very excited to read your post. Just wondered whether I could ask about your dust bath. It's all very damp here at the mo so I was worried about this. Have you set up a box or something? What did you use? Thanks Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 Sounds like you are having a great time with your girls! Just a tip: do yourself a favor and never feed them anything first thing in the morning. They will start to demand it. Preferably at 6 am in the morning... You can ask my chickens, they are great at it... Shilojo: chickens will turn anything into a dustbath. Mostly the things you didn't plan in being one. Like the ground around your prized petunia's or the spot where untill 5 minutes ago your lettuce was growing. Mine mostly use the bit of soil in a corner of my garden, where I planted a black berry. Luckily one of the plants that can handle it quite well. Slightly moist soil is still fine dust bath material. As long it's not mud, it's fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shilojo Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 Thanks Cat Tails and sorry to hijack your thread Hampshire Gardener. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HampshireGardener Posted March 13, 2015 Author Share Posted March 13, 2015 Hi Jo. I started this reply then lost it! Anyway good luck with your chickens too. Our dust bath is like a half a horse bucket made from old car tyres so it very robust. They sell them in Scats (now Mole Valley) but I bought ours online and they use it daily. Cat tails, don't worry I'm no early riser / feeder which is why I leave the cube open all night! I only got up at 6am this morning because they were freaking out, really shouting in fear so I knew something was trying to get in to the run which fortunately is very secure. I spoke to them and told them they were ok then went back to bed! They have pellets in their run over night and I make them a mash around 9am and they're happy with that. I just hope they don't miss it too much when we go away as I know I spoil them but they're great fun! Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 I'm glad you're enjoying them. Sounds like they're well settled in and you've well and truly got the bug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 Mine know that if they get up too early I'm not happy! At the moment they are let out at 8 in the morning which will gradually become 9 when the clocks change. From then on I let them out at 8.30 and reduce it to 8 during the weekdays (just in case we disturb the neighbours) and when the mornings start drawing in I gradually change it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Well... I forgot to close to pop hole this morning and got immediate karma... They were wide awake at 5:25 am. Went out, grabbed them out of the run, ( oke... Chased Ginger around the garden...) and stuck them in the Go, with the pop hole SHUT! Managed to sleep again till 6:47. Now let them out properly and fed them their corn and endive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shilojo Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 cat tails. One reason we put off having chickens for so long was not wanting the early starts to let them out etc. Now that we have small children 6am is a lie in (sob) so letting them out at dawn really isn't a problem! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 I use an old curtain to cover the cube at night and refuse to let them out until 7-30......I'm always up at 6am but don't expect my neighbours to have to put up with amy noise before 8-30 at least. Having said that they have only ever clucked once that early and my newbies are virtually silent anyway, I have heared them cluck about four times total since October , I'm sure they do it more often I just am either out of don't hear them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HampshireGardener Posted March 14, 2015 Author Share Posted March 14, 2015 Well I must be the luckiest chicken owner! Because I'm like you Shilojo not into early rising I decided to try leaving the pop hole open 24/7 (the WIR is very secure though), and my girls get up when they want to and eat their pellets and do chickens things until I go down to see them at anything between 8.30 and 9.30 with their warm mash and other than yesterday's early alarm call due to fear, we've not been disturbed in the morning by them at all. Unless of course I'm sleeping more deeply than I thought!! Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 I'm glad everything is going so well for you and that you are really enjoying your chickens Having spent the last 5 years getting up early to let them out I decided last Spring to leave the cube door open and haven't looked back. Only twice have they had me up at 4.30am/5 because something had frightened them. I'll just have to hope my new pekins are just as quiet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
