jomaxsmith Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 The chickens have had an exciting day today. First of all we fitted the new run converter (while the kids tried to keep them away from the open end!), then we moved it all (run, eglu and rather surprised hens) to one side and cleaned out the hemcore (which looked as if it could easily have done another week - the poo had magically disappeared!) - after we had downed tools while laid her biggest egg yet. The boys then spent most of the day poking leaves and my green manure crop through the bars while hubby chicken proofed the fence. The moment then finally came when we left the door open and stood back..... they came out, tried to fly (causing minor heart failure as I imagined them over the fields and far away) then went back in. And that was that! It was so stressful I shut the run door after about 15 minutes! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 Things can only get better................ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 LOL Oh Dear!! What an anticlimax Never mind perhaps they will be braver tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 They will soon get the hang of freeranging - and you will be shooing them in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 My girls were a bit reluctant at first. Now, led by the ring leader, Naughty Sporty, they are raiding the polytunnel, pinching veggies from the fruit cage, terrorising our cats and breaking out into next door's garden ( much to the delight of our neighbours who think the chickens are wonderful - thankfully!) Don't worry. You will soon be wishing that they were less adventurous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 When mine occasionally go back in the run when the door is open I just think, well, they must quite like it in there, and so I don't feel so guilty when they're in there all day when I'm at work . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted November 4, 2007 Share Posted November 4, 2007 My two started like yours - bit afraid of the big wide world. Now, no corner of the garden is safe from chicken devastation! Make the most of yours while they're happy to be unadventurous. Believe me, it won't last! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesly Batcheler Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 even as I write my six are rushing round thear paddock area.We have had to raise the fence for frequent flyer who found any height to get airborne.... cut bushes to get rid of cover at home time .I go out every 15 mins to make sure thay are all there and all six come running to me. THEN COMES IN TIME... the cry is where is everybody and five will turn up and go in for a few treats but the chicken with attitde always causes problems ,At 70 and 76 we have deciced it is our dailt workout and would recvommend it.At lesat by frr ranging every two or three days we are still getting eggs. They seem unwilling to lay if kept in too long. Lesly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 even as I write my six are rushing round thear paddock area.We have had to raise the fence for frequent flyer who found any height to get airborne.... cut bushes to get rid of cover at home time .I go out every 15 mins to make sure thay are all there and all six come running to me. THEN COMES IN TIME... the cry is where is everybody and five will turn up and go in for a few treats but the chicken with attitde always causes problems ,At 70 and 76 we have deciced it is our dailt workout and would recvommend it.At lesat by frr ranging every two or three days we are still getting eggs. They seem unwilling to lay if kept in too long. Lesly See, there are sooo many benefits to having chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Our girls come out and instead of digging in the rest of the garden they often just dig in the areas of bark chippings which are outside the run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
