angela's chickens are here!!!!

[angelat]

hi all

yes, they are here. Their names are carmen and miranda. i chose a maran cuivre and a speckledy. they are nervous at mo, and the cat is a pain, always wanting to stalk etc, dog is great with them no problem.

bit nervous, getting used to being a chicken keeper!! worried about cat more than anything.

haven't got perch up yet so they sleep in nesting boxes, is that okay? will they lay eggs where they sleep??

yesterday was so exciting and they settled well. no eggs as yet though. they are eating well, miranda didnt get the idea of going up the ramp last night when she went in and decided to camp in a bush, so i picked her up and put her in the main door. keeping that shut today with access to pop hole and ramp to try and get them used to it. have to be careful with cat though. havn't noticed any pecking order as yet, in fact they look for each other!! will post pictures on when i can learn how to do it!!! lucky i have my sister who has had hens for a year now so she is a great help as the people on here are. will keep you all posted!!! xx

[Noodle]

Fantastic that you've got them now!

People say not to worry too much about cats as they soon get the idea that the chickens are too big for them! It's certainly been the case with my friend who has 2 cats and has chicks running loose, they stalk the hens and chicks, but after a couple of the mother hens went for them, it soon put them off! The hens should make themselves really big when the cat comes over, hopefully give her a peck to put her off!!

Mine look for each other in the garden as well and there is a definate pecking order!

They'll soon get the hang of the ramp and put themselves away once it gets cold. Mine were perching outside at night, but have now decided it's too chilly and the coop is much more snug!

Mine have a perch (it is higher than the nest box, before I get lots of advice on that!) but they sometimes choose to sleep in the nest box or on the coop floor and my only layer still leaves her egg for me nicely in the nesting box!

Try not to worry too much and enjoy!

[digthatchick]

Hi
Glad to hear you have your chooks (Speckeldys are so affectionate, my avatar pic is Egwina one of my speckys) They may not lay for a few weeks after they have moved to their new home, but don't worry you will soon have your dozen a week!

[Snadger]

Usually chooks poop where they roost (sleep) thats the only place in my shed I have to clean out each day, below the roosting bar.

I would imagine that if they were sleeping in the nestboxes they would poop in the nestboxes, which isn't ideal, especially if they are laying!

Enjoy your chooks Angela!

[frias]

My ex-batts won't perch no matter how often I place them on they just fall off! If allowed to sleep in the nest box they do poop in it so I now put a partition in before they go to bed so they settle down and sleep in the main part of the coop. I have to remove the partition before I go to bed though as one of them lays very early.
Good luck Angela. I'm sure your girls will soon settle and begin laying.