Microstead Posted January 31, 2020 Share Posted January 31, 2020 2 hours ago, The Dogmother said: I give mine a handful of mixed seeds between them when I let them out of the run, It looks like this one The seeds look like just the thing to put into the yellow chicken toy I bought for the chickens to kick about to get treats and krep them occupied. Thank you DM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Microstead Posted January 31, 2020 Share Posted January 31, 2020 2 hours ago, Cat tails said: Mine use the hanging Pecky toy every day and does really work for me. I just fill it with they breakfast once it’s dark outside, otherwise they’ll scoff it all before bed. I used to get up at first squawk and sleepwalk outside to feed them. It would be 5:15 in hight of summer. Not too bad in the weekend when I would just stumble back to bed, but no so fun when having to work and being too awake to enjoy the last 30 minutes of “sleep”. And even worse in winter I should imagine with the horrible weather!!! I initially looked into getting a door opener, but they are so expensive, especially the only one for the up. But one day, whilst reading on this forum, I saw a number of posts about leaving the coop door open at night (if it's in a relatively secure low predator place) and one particular post, possibly yours CT, about also using the peck toy to ensure they had food first thing, so as to prevent them not cause a scene at dawn and irritating the neighbours, and also ensuring the food didn't encourage pests. I knew then that I wouldn't need a door opener. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 I NEVER shut the doors on mine, well only if it is really cold, so less than -3 at night. The runs are on slabs with Aubiose inside and I am prepared to take the call that they are safe in there. They come out when they like and start to eat a soon as there is enough light. The feed is in troughs with anti-climb bars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeChooks Posted February 2, 2020 Author Share Posted February 2, 2020 (edited) Hey all, just thought I’d give an update on the noise/honking! They have been better I feel, over the past few days, today I heard the ‘honking’ noise at about 2 in the afternoon, lasted about 20-30 seconds I guess? It makes me wince when I hear it still, but I guess the living room (where I was at the time) backs on to the garden so it would be a bit louder. I am a bit nervous as tomorrow I am back at work so will have to let them out at about 7.30 and I’m praying for no honking at that time! I am trying to worry a lot less about the noise, today the non problem Pekin I think laid an egg without a fuss (no egg song). I like the egg song and that noise doesn’t bother me too much anyway, just the honking, I will have to explain to the neighbours that I don’t have geese, haha. I’ve read that the honking noises are just a sign of them reaching puberty, and after this, erm... pleasant stage of their voices breaking, I will get the nicer sounding chicken noises as they get older, is this true? Is there at least a chance that these noises will stop? Edited February 2, 2020 by ThreeChooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeChooks Posted February 2, 2020 Author Share Posted February 2, 2020 Also I had two eggs from them this morning, the egg on the far right in this photo, do you think it’s still a Pekin egg, or could it be from the silkie cross (I’m hoping is female!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 Is it light enough at 7.30am to let them out of the run? It certainly isn't here! At the moment, I let them out at 08:30 when I leave for work, but ONLY if I am coming back at lunchtime to ut them back in. If I am not leaving work until 17:00, then they stay in the run all day. That last egg, doesn't look like a pekin egg to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeChooks Posted February 2, 2020 Author Share Posted February 2, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, The Dogmother said: Is it light enough at 7.30am to let them out of the run? It certainly isn't here! At the moment, I let them out at 08:30 when I leave for work, but ONLY if I am coming back at lunchtime to ut them back in. If I am not leaving work until 17:00, then they stay in the run all day. That last egg, doesn't look like a pekin egg to me. Sorry, I mean to let them out of their coop at that time before I go to work, they are allowed in the garden when myself or my partner are around, which is currently on a tuesday and every weekend or if either of us has time off. If neither of us are in they stay in the run. Eventually when it’s still light in the summer evenings they will be allowed out then too when we get in from work! That’s a good sign that the last egg may not be a Pekin one, I’ve gotten quite attached to the little silkie so would be very sad if she had to go. I gave my neighbour to the left some eggs today, and he seemed grateful, and didn’t mention the noise, so here’s hoping he will be OK with some honking! Edited February 2, 2020 by ThreeChooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 As a matter of interest is there a breed of chicken that is quieter than others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Not really - it's more down to individuals Soapy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 Silkie eggs are normally white, but if she’s a cross, it could be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 On 2/4/2020 at 6:26 AM, The Dogmother said: Not really - it's more down to individuals Soapy. Same as children then 🤣. It was just a thought! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
