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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 8, 2008 17:08:41 GMT 1
Good sensible names....lovely! (Apart from Duckie which might cause an Identity Crisis I think  ). I veer between really wanting another batch and deciding not to bother as I have more than enough to deal with these days. I have never been without chickens though since my first lot 25 years ago...I dunno if I can bear it really....I will really miss them (and their eggs) when the Spring is here...it's the rodent hordes that stop me. I cannot bear them...and they are even worse if I have a lot of chickens..sigh.... I'm so glad they have been so good so far. I can't wait for pictures  |
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Post by debidoos on Mar 8, 2008 17:38:04 GMT 1
My four are called Pamela, Prissie, Daisy and Lola.
They all look a bit different which is nice, I just wish the weather was nicer for them!
One of them (lola) keeps pecking feathers of the others, not excesively tho, is this normal?
And another (Prissie) has a bare (red!?) bum, do I need to worry about this?
What can I do to stop the pecking or help the red bum so This cant become a subject for pecking?
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 8, 2008 19:02:52 GMT 1
My four are called Pamela, Prissie, Daisy and Lola. They all look a bit different which is nice, I just wish the weather was nicer for them! One of them (lola) keeps pecking feathers of the others, not excesively tho, is this normal? And another (Prissie) has a bare (red!?) bum, do I need to worry about this? What can I do to stop the pecking or help the red bum so This cant become a subject for pecking? Pecking feathers is a sign of stress usually and not unexpected in battery hens, Debi. The red bum is a similar sign under stressful conditions I think too, although chickens do lose feathers for other reasons. Both will probably clear up on their own in a while but if you're worried keep an eye on them both and see if you can prevent the others having a go at their sore bits. A group of hens who are occupied, busy and happy will not do this but you have to make sure it doesn't become an established pattern of behaviour for the aggressive one(s). There is always a pecking order though. And try and make sure you let them out of their HH early on so they doen't get bored. I have smeared honey on sore bits in the past but I'm sure there is a proper ointment to use. Just make sure that they are not scouring (the runs) which might introduce infection onto the bare skin. I think they will settle down altogether quickly. Are they laying still? You have to make sure she is not suffering from a stuck egg or a strained vent if the soreness doesn't clear up.....sticking your finger into a chickens vent to help an egg is a joy yet to come! ;D It's very unlikely to be that though. |
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Post by debidoos on Mar 8, 2008 20:26:14 GMT 1
2 of the hens have had their beaks clipped  but they are eating just fine. They haven't layed an egg yet although we have been told they are programmed to lay an egg at 11am, and we didn't get them til 1, plus we've been told that it may take a few weeks to settle too. They love their fuss! I had a bit of a stroke and a cuddle with them as I put them in the hen house, they don't yet know what to do when it is bedtime! I haven't put the roost in yet as they wouldn't know what to do with it if it was there, so I thought I'd just let them nestle on the cardboard, shreaded paper and straw layer. I do hope they are warm enough, there's one that is noticeably threadbare so I hope they don't get cold. I'm dreading opening the door in the morning for them!! |
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Post by Sweetleaf on Mar 8, 2008 21:33:16 GMT 1
Congratulations Debi and Emsey! I cant wait to see pics of your new hens, and well done you, for doing this for them. ;D
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Post by emseypop on Mar 9, 2008 8:28:31 GMT 1
They are about 17/18 months old The witch.  No casualties in the night! I opened the pop hole 7.10. A couple came out for a bit but they are still in doors ATM, potted on a few toms in the GH and it was so nice to hear the odd cluck! They aren't too noisy, maybe they'll be a bit more rowdy when they settle in. I'm going to apply the lice powder today  I've put some down in the HH. None of mine are threadbare enough to warrant the ultimate fashion accessory, but there a jumper here if you need one Debi ;D I'm still loving being a hen keeper ;D ;D Update, found my first egg! then an hour later number two!! Sean and I had them fried on toast for brekkie! Must admit Debi text me with her first egg about 20 mins before I found mine. ;D |
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 9, 2008 12:27:56 GMT 1
Wow! Eggs already! Aren't chickens wonderful?? Every home should have some.....that's brilliant isn't it? And I bet they tasted totally gorgeous.......
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Post by emseypop on Mar 9, 2008 12:57:47 GMT 1
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Post by debbiem on Mar 9, 2008 18:15:46 GMT 1
This is all so brilliant Debi and Emsey and I'm so happy for you and those lucky hens! All of mine are feather pecking apart from the lowest of the pecking order and the top dog - the lowest just keeps herself away from the fray and the the top dog is the main perpetrator. Like 4P says make sure they don't stay in too long, which leads to a lot of frustration and boredom and it should then die down. And eggs already - can't be bad. |
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Mar 9, 2008 20:30:10 GMT 1
Now there's a happy scene. I think that it's brilliant what you girls are doing...I hope that you get lots of enjoyment...and eggs...from your chickens... ;D They look at home already don't they!?
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Post by emseypop on Mar 9, 2008 20:43:50 GMT 1
Brilliant - bless them - new found freedom for them. I never ever buy battery eggs btw - just wish I could find some local free range eggs soon. Good on you The witch, I only recently converted to free range  I started to get them from tesco or our butcher. I dunno how he manages it, but he always has double yokers in at christmas! Hopfully my egg buying days are over! ;D |
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Mar 9, 2008 20:47:40 GMT 1
We get the free range eggs from one of the local Nurseries, a lot more reasonably priced than supermarkets' ones...and they taste so much better! Also buy FR chicken and beef from a local farm....had some beef today...and it didn't shrink to nothing when I cooked it like the shop bought stuff does...it was delicious.
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Post by Sweetleaf on Mar 9, 2008 20:55:19 GMT 1
They do look happy Emsey, and the HH looks very good with the paint job, too, a proper Bijou residence for the discerning Hen. Eggs already! Wow.  ;D |
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Post by debidoos on Mar 9, 2008 22:38:09 GMT 1
Like Emsey, I'd only recently converted to Free Range eggs, as Hannah gets through about 10 a week! They are pricier but when you see the welfare difference for the hens it's certainly worth spending the extra!! My Girls went to bed at about 6.15 when it was getting dark, one was already there, bless, the others took persueding! 1 went up the ramp very easily, The threadbare one (Prissie also the feisty one) Pecked me about 20 times as I was trying to guide her, I ended up just grabbing her and putting her through the pop hole into the house (much vocal complaints as well!!). And the final one would not get out of the corner so I had to guide her out then she flapped her wings in my face as I picked her up! so I had a good day with them! They didn't eat their porridge this morning (water not milk) and when Simon went to pick it out there was a jurassic park style foot print in the one plate of it! We had 3 eggs today! 1 I found at about 8am and it was still warm . The other 2 simon found at about midday with Hannah, as I was at Crufts. They're all in the fridge with the date written on in pencil so we know to use them first. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 10, 2008 9:06:04 GMT 1
Not toooo bad though Debi - I suppose it could have been a lot worse. The poor things have had a lot to contend with haven't they? And 3 eggs already is brilliant!
How was Crufts then? Did you get any bargains? Did you see Ben Fogle?
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Post by debidoos on Mar 10, 2008 11:11:16 GMT 1
Crufts was ok, although VERY crowded. I got some cheap Drontal wormer for my dog £1.60 per tablet!! It's £3.50 per tablet at the vets!
Got some nail clippers too and some cheap Eukanuba dog food £1.00 per kilo!
You could spend an absolute fortune!
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Post by emseypop on Mar 10, 2008 11:11:41 GMT 1
I've found two eggs in the nest box this morning, one ok, and one with a shell so soft it was like a deflated ballon, and all the contents were swimming around in the bottom, of the nest box there was loads? At firset I thought it was letting the rain in somewhere but the walls of the nest box were dry as was the roof. It took half a roll of paper towels and an old towel to soak the lot up. The girls all look fine tho and at least they are getting the hang of the nest box. ;D |
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Post by debidoos on Mar 10, 2008 11:28:16 GMT 1
I have had one egg so far this morning, they are definatley getting braver, I'll get some pics on here later!
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Post by debbiem on Mar 10, 2008 11:30:55 GMT 1
They'll get the hang of going in at night, Debi - we've spent several mad evenings hurtling round after new chickens who refuse to understand where they're meant to go at night! ;D You do get the odd soft shelled one Emsey, and don't they just spread everywhere! All the chickens sounds as if they are settling into their henhouses very quickly, brilliant! |
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Post by debidoos on Mar 10, 2008 12:34:17 GMT 1
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Post by madonplants on Mar 10, 2008 12:52:18 GMT 1
Crufts was ok, although VERY crowded. I got some cheap Drontal wormer for my dog £1.60 per tablet!! It's £3.50 per tablet at the vets! Got some nail clippers too and some cheap Eukanuba dog food £1.00 per kilo! You could spend an absolute fortune! I get mine from here, where they are cheaper than the vets. Great hens btw. Oh if only we had the space and location!! Keith |
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Post by debidoos on Mar 10, 2008 19:35:06 GMT 1
Put the Hens to bed at about 6ish, not so painful tonight!! They were all in the run, but as soon as I opened the door 2 scurried into the coop. the other 2 took gentle persuesion, but I didn't get pecked or belted by the wings which was definate improvement.
Had only 1 egg today, but I don't mind if I never get an egg again! Their natural instincts are kicking in and they are flapping thier wings like pros!
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Post by karenwl on Mar 10, 2008 19:49:44 GMT 1
Well done both of you they are looking well and seem to be settling in, and eggs to boot.
Karen x
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Post by debbiem on Mar 11, 2008 11:08:19 GMT 1
Lovely birds Debi - do you know who top dog is yet? They look in good condition - they're nowhere near as pecked as my two Speckled Sussexes. |
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Post by debidoos on Mar 11, 2008 11:55:18 GMT 1
I don't think they have decided yet! I'll have to keep watching.
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). 
but they are eating just fine.
I've put some down in the HH. None of mine are threadbare enough to warrant the ultimate fashion accessory, but there a jumper here if you need one Debi ;D I'm still loving being a hen keeper ;D ;D Update, found my first egg! then an hour later number two!! Sean and I had them fried on toast for brekkie! Must admit Debi text me with her first egg about 20 mins before I found mine. ;D 
I started to get them from tesco or our butcher. I dunno how he manages it, but he always has double yokers in at christmas! Hopfully my egg buying days are over! ;D
;D
