ricmonddan Posted April 13, 2015 Author Share Posted April 13, 2015 Quick update, no problems in the Coop last night that I could tell. They were let out at 6.30. The Goldline is still being a right pain, basically herding the other two where she wants them and extracting feathers. But I have seen both of the smaller two eat and drink now so I feel a bit better. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 They have you worrying in no time as if small children, lol! I never expected that when I got my first little group! They get more fuss than my dogs and cats easy. Hope you are having fun enjoying your first chooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricmonddan Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 Yeah they certainly do. The Goldline is still giving the other two grief (the other two are inseparable) She only lets them eat in very short bursts. Then gives them a peck sometimes taking feathers, but no blood as yet. I'll see how it goes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 I would add an extra feeding station so she can't guard both at the same time, can you add part of a bale of hay/stray so they can hide/escape from her? I'm sure its just because they are settling the pecking order but if it continues for too long it could form a habit....you may have to consider bumpa bits then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricmonddan Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 I've added another feeding station but my hens don't seem the brightest, all now prefer the new feeder and ignore the old one they are at separate ends of the run, i'll try and break the run up a bit more with obstacles like you say. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindig Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Hi Dan! Yes it's worrying in the first few weeks, isn't it? But it will all settle down in no time. I've had my three hens for nearly 2 months now. Initially Rosie picked on the other two - Priscilla was very adept at diving out of the way or ducking under the ladder, but Digger (I have a 3-year old son - can you tell? I'm lucky she didn't end up being called 'Fire Engine' or 'Combine Harvester') stood her ground. I hated seeing it, and worried that one day I would get home from work to some kind of blood-bath. Various people on here told me not to worry and, in fact, better to let them get on with it while I wasn't around to witness it. How right they were. After a week or two it all settled down and I haven't seen a single peck since. In fact, Rosie and Digger are best of friends. A second feeder would be good but don't go spending money - just find something which will do temporarily. Once they settle, they won't need the second one any more. Also, gavclojak's suggestion of creating a bit of a hiding place is good, or at least something to break the clear line of sight your goldline constantly has of the other two. Would a window box planter fit down the middle of the run, so that the other two would have something to dive around, and it might also be something for them to jump up on to, to create a bit of interest? Window boxes came to mind because I have two which have been lying around the side of my house for years, but have a root and see what you've got lying around and see what works for you. Have you named them, or did I miss that bit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindig Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Oh sorry, I'm being dim and missed your last post. Don't worry if they don't use both feeders - at least you know they have the option. Thinking about it, mine did the same. How have you been getting on since? Any improvement with the pecking yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricmonddan Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 Oh sorry, I'm being dim and missed your last post. Don't worry if they don't use both feeders - at least you know they have the option. Thinking about it, mine did the same. How have you been getting on since? Any improvement with the pecking yet? It has improved, she is not as vicious with it now but it is the same frequency. They are called: Ygritte, Nymeria and Lady (various Game of Thrones characters) I have a window box full of soil that they would enjoy no doubt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricmonddan Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 Things have calmed down alot. I had my first egg this morning I'll bet it was the goldline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricmonddan Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 It was tiny but absolutely perfect. Nice coloured yolk stayed nice and close in the frying pan. Worth all the poop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricmonddan Posted May 14, 2015 Author Share Posted May 14, 2015 Update. All three are now laying, last to lay was the Speckled Marran the egg was absolutely massive, she is big now, dwarfing her sisters, it seems the amber and goldline put all their energy into egg production, as they are not putting on much weight, but both have laid every day for a a couple of weeks now. They are all very well behaved and have become very tame, I have found them to be very picky with treats, the love mushrooms and corn on the cob and also a little mash potato but can take or leave anything else (berries / tomatoes) I read somewhere that they like to feel like they are under a tree canopy, so i bought a camouflage net to go on their run, looks cool. My only worry now is i don't seem to be getting though my Layers mash very quickly, any tips on making them a bit more excited about it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 My only worry now is i don't seem to be getting though my Layers mash very quickly, any tips on making them a bit more excited about it? Feed them less treats... They are like kids, who'll go for the sweets over any normal meal. If they fill up on other stuff, they aren't likely to eat their mash. They also hold out on eating mash if they expect a treat later in the day. Mine get endive and corn in the morning (to make sure they keep their noisy beaks shut) and sometimes something in the evening. But not on a regular basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 Yes I would cut back on the treats. Use treats to your advantage, say corn or mealworms in a tub you can rattle to get them to come....running Good say if you need to get them in after free ranging or you want to check them over. I vary what I do & when and also what You could also hang things in their run for them to enjoy through the day. I'm at work today so no free ranging for mine, but they have cabbage leaves hanging in the run today. Glad they are all laying & getting on for you Enjoy those yummy eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricmonddan Posted May 14, 2015 Author Share Posted May 14, 2015 Right, will cut down treats and see how we go. I think i will start to weigh them regularly to make sure things are moving in the right direction Now i need to start eating more eggs, I've given 8 away in the last week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 Remember that laying birds never are very plump. With all three of mine I can clearly feel their breastbone, but it doesn't feel sharp. My biggest hen is also the one that lays the least eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricmonddan Posted May 14, 2015 Author Share Posted May 14, 2015 That is exactly how i'd describe my two i can fee the breastbone but in is not sharp. The marran is a different story, but she is by no means fat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 I wouldn't worry about it too much. Technically chickens could do with only pellets or layers mash, but what is the fun in that? I scatter shredded endive and mixed corn around the garden in the morning to shut them up. But it also gives them a chance to forage for their food a bit. Mine probably eat less pellets than technically desired, but they are happy and laying, so I'm not too bothered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LHawley88 Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 My 4 hens in the back garden are all still pretty small, at just over a year old, and i did wonder if i was doing something wrong - wrong feed so no weight going on, unhappy girls etc - but 3 of them lay consistently and they are bright and happy! Cut back on the corn, maybe give this every other day as a little treat from your hand (which is good for bonding too) and throw in some cut grass whenever you cut your lawn, which they like to forage in and look for grubs, just so that they have variety. In the long run, they'll realise that the layers pellets/mash is their main source of food, and will be super excited to se you with a treat! We keep corn and meal worms in an old ice cream tub and rattle it, which makes them come 'running' so cute! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
