Single hen

[AnnaWickham]

Hi,

Today is my eglus first weeks aniversary. I dont work on Thursday or Friday , so my girls are free ranging. I was a bit worried about the local cats, so i have put them back in their pen while i came in to find out about it. I have read the bits on cats, so i will let them out again, as the general opinion is that chickens win everytime.

I may have made a small mistake, this morning though. They decided to check out my kitchen - and i let them - So had a nice cuddle with them and then they sat on my two kitchen stools roosting happily. Erm, will they expect this treatment always now? Which means they will give the game away when my husband comes home, and try and barge their way in? They are so curious and confident creatures, i love them already!

 

 

No egg yet - but not really expecting one for a while.

[The Dogmother]

AaaHHh, bless their little beaks If it is something that you want to do on a regular basis, then carry on, but they pick up on things really quickly and may well form a habit and want to come in all the time.

 

Some friends of mine in Norfolk have a farm house, and the chooks wander into the kitchen when the door is left open. When they close the door, the girls line up on the kitchen windowsill waiting to come in.

 

Like dogs, chooks have perfected that 'no one loves me' look and they make you feel rotten if you don't let them in!

[Guest]

I have always let mine wander in if they want to, though they don't (usually - see below!) have the full range of the house!

 

I am quite happy with it, especially at this time of year because I feel it gives them a chance to warm up. They seem to wander in for a while, get bored and go back outside. I have noticed however that they come in to bully me sometimes, when they think I should be giving them something to eat. They can be quite demanding!

 

As they grow in confidence, there are no 'off-limit' places and they can be up on everything. At the moment (I've had them about 11 weeks) I just find the tufts of mud and muddy footprints everywhere quite amusing, but I might tire of that and get stricter with them!

 

Yesterday, I was outside with them cleaning the eglu. I didn't notice until I was clearing up that Kath had disappeared. I couldn't find her anywhere and started to panic. I had inadvertently left the doors open and she had gone inside, on her own! I eventually found upstairs in my bedroom I don't think my husband was too impressed with the little brown footprints all over our bed and pillows No poos though - great relief.

[Mel (& Paul)]

Its bad enough with muddy paw prints from the dogs

[The Dogmother]

Hmmmm, it always amazes me that our cats can get in the cat flap, through the downstairs, up the stairs (only bit of carpet) and still jump on the bed with dirty feet - they must levitate over the floors downstairs!

 

The dog was even worse, like a swamp monster!

[The O'Neill Family]

but if i let my chooks into the house wouldn't they poo everywhere

[Guest]

Yes

[The Dogmother]

And boy does it smell

[Mel (& Paul)]

Perhaps someone could design chook nappies

[Guest]

My chickens' poo doesn't seem to smell too bad. A bit like your own babies' nappies, the mother can smell them really quickly but other people don't. I'm tuned in to the smell of chicken poo but it's not very strong. I know you can't train them, but mine do less poos in the house now than they used to.

[Mel (& Paul)]

Mind you, I think I agree. I did wonder whether the garlic powder actually worked or whether we were just used to the smell

[Nicola H]

They already have Mel.........It could only happen in America.

 

Lesley put a link to the site a while ago, just put in a search and you should find some interesting sites.........

[The Dogmother]

I think it helps that the weather is cooler too.

[Mel (& Paul)]

I know. If I could spell faciteous I would say I was being it

[buffie]

Oh I love it when they come in for a look in the Kitchen. They do let on to our hubbies that this is allowed though

 

Also a tip that kate told me was 'forget a kitchen mat' it will always be in the wash!!

 

BBX

[AnnaWickham]

Hi,

 

I got caught anyway, My husband came home and i was trying to shoo them out but he found them. Wasn't really impressed when clara kept leaping back in whenever he opened the door to go out. My kids were laughing their socks off, and the dog just looked amazed at it all and went and sat on her bed

[Guest]

 

I hope he's still talking to you. Better make sure you always have a beautiful meal ready

[The Dogmother]

That's a lovely picture Anna!