mullethunter Posted February 24, 2020 Share Posted February 24, 2020 What lovely little girls 😍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky78 Posted March 2, 2020 Author Share Posted March 2, 2020 (edited) Well they were let out of the run for their first free range time. They didn't venture far buty Dutch bantam took flight on top of my 6ft fence. I thought chickens were clumsy fliers but she got up there no bother. I clipped their flight feathers on one wing today, didn't want to do it but if they get over the back there is a stream and thick undergrowth so I'd struggle to get them back. I've had the run door open all day but they don't seen interested in coming out. My hentronix automatic door arrived today so I'll get that fitted. They love live mealworms as they coo as they are eating them. Edited March 2, 2020 by Tricky78 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 Yes Dutch bantams are deft flyers and the reason why I had to cover my run and can’t let them free range anymore. Merel makes short work of my fences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 Forgot to add that wing clipping didn’t make much difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 Tricky I have so much enjoyed following you through getting the ladies and its great you have attached photos. Please keep us updated. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeChooks Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 6 hours ago, Tricky78 said: My hentronix automatic door arrived today so I'll get that fitted. Please let us know how you get on with it as I am looking into getting an automatic door and this seems like the one people use most for the Go Up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 My automatic door is a cord from the coop door to my bed side, I just lean out of bed pull the cord and the door is open. Peter 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky78 Posted March 4, 2020 Author Share Posted March 4, 2020 I've let them out every afternoon, they really don't seem interested in leaving the run. The automatic door is working well, they go up to roost about 5.30. I'll try and entice them out tomorrow with some corn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeChooks Posted March 4, 2020 Share Posted March 4, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, Tricky78 said: The automatic door is working well, they go up to roost about 5.30. I’m interested in how the door locks, from the video it seems as though the auto door mechanism doesn’t pull the bit up at the top which you need to lock the door in place? How does the door stay shut? And do you need the battery pack it comes with? I’m curious as to why the battery pack is sold separately. Edited March 4, 2020 by ThreeChooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky78 Posted March 5, 2020 Author Share Posted March 5, 2020 12 hours ago, ThreeChooks said: I’m interested in how the door locks, from the video it seems as though the auto door mechanism doesn’t pull the bit up at the top which you need to lock the door in place? How does the door stay shut? And do you need the battery pack it comes with? I’m curious as to why the battery pack is sold separately. The door is always lifted so the lock by dropping the door no longer works. There is no way a predator could open the door against the motor as it's solid, once it's shut it's very secure. I think the battery is sold separately to make the automatic door opener seem cheaper. It's a good setup and I'm glad i've invested in it. The battery is charged via the solar panel but you still need the battery. My hens seem very reluctant to leave the run, any idea on how i can entice them out? They are slowly getting used to us as they no longer go to the back of the run then i approach. Also any idea roughly how old they are and when can we expect eggs? The kids are very excited. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 They will venture out when they feel confident - I usually recommend that newbies are left in the run for at least a week anyway; this builds up their homing instinct to return there when you do let them out. This time can be used to give them all a health check and treat them for lice and worms as a preventative measure. I also train them to come when I whistle, which makes getting them back in the run a cinch. They look around PoL, so probs about 18 weeks..... they will lay when they are ready, looks like the top one in your photo may be first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 When they are about to start laying their comb usually turns very bright and fresh looking. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky78 Posted March 5, 2020 Author Share Posted March 5, 2020 16 minutes ago, Peter said: When they are about to start laying their comb usually turns very bright and fresh looking. Peter They don't really have much of a comb at the moment. 1 hour ago, The Dogmother said: They will venture out when they feel confident - I usually recommend that newbies are left in the run for at least a week anyway; this builds up their homing instinct to return there when you do let them out. This time can be used to give them all a health check and treat them for lice and worms as a preventative measure. I also train them to come when I whistle, which makes getting them back in the run a cinch. They look around PoL, so probs about 18 weeks..... they will lay when they are ready, looks like the top one in your photo may be first. What checks should i be carrying out at the moment and how? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Just now, Tricky78 said: They don't really have much of a comb at the moment. Your Wyandotte mixes won’t have much comb at all. Dutch bantams don’t have big ones either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, Tricky78 said: They don't really have much of a comb at the moment. What checks should i be carrying out at the moment and how? Thanks. Try this one....... Edited March 5, 2020 by The Dogmother 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky78 Posted March 5, 2020 Author Share Posted March 5, 2020 Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky78 Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 Been letting my girls out each day from 1-5 and they ventured a little furher from the run today. They have started making noises when i approach the run, not sure if it's good or bad sing. Had Tiffin (brown one) and Daisy (grey one) eating out my hand. Putting in a little work and taming them each day. Still no eggs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky78 Posted March 12, 2020 Author Share Posted March 12, 2020 This morning i noticed my hens hsve gone back into the coop at 7.30 (this is the first they have done this). Is this a sign that they are ready to lay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 12, 2020 Share Posted March 12, 2020 Probably not - maybe they think it's a bit windy, or something spooked them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky78 Posted March 21, 2020 Author Share Posted March 21, 2020 Well in the hour of need amd with the panic buying happening, one of my hens has laid our first egg 😃 Minnie (dutch bantam) laid our first egg today, i feel like a proud father. Note that it's not my nails, my wife sent the pic as I'm offshore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 So pleased you have got an egg. It will taste so much nicer than shop ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 I remember the day last year when I got my first egg. I was so excite. The lighter nights will help them to lay. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 Hooray for your first egg But I’m disappointed they’re not your fingernails 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 The first egg is always a very proud moment! Ours was laid on the concrete patio outside our back door so was scrambled from the start 😖. Having bough the house, run, bedding, chickens themselves, food and treats we worked out that our first egg had cost us around £900.00 🤣. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
