Aaaaaaaaah - A month early!

[Glutton4...]

Yes, they're up, out and merrily eating grass - and grapes!

Nosey Rosie came out first, as soon as I opened the door. Three others followed very hesitantly, but the other four I had to take out of the coop. When I went out with the camera one had settled into a nest-box, but the others are still plodding around outside.

They seem quite content - no squabbling yet, but we've got one who thinks she's in charge - pecks any other one that comes near, and squares up to the dog when he gets too close to the fence. We've put the electric on now to keep him away.

We've had four eggs already, so had one each for breakfast! but I expect that will slow right down as it gets colder and they start to grow some better feathers. Their combs are large, pale and floppy - like weird little hats on one or two of them. They look quite comical.

I will try and add some pics.

More later...

[lynda66]

awwwwwwww bless them, they look well contented at least they aren't completely oven ready well that's my 3rd proper big grin of the day ...... thanks

[MaureenHall]

For ex-batts they don't look too bad do they Have they all got names yet? Lovely photos btw

[Glutton4...]

Only Nosey Rosie has been named so far.

It seems a little unfair to use the obvious; Tatty, Scruffy, Scrawny, Scraggy etc.

They have good strong legs, and no sign of beak trimming, so thankfully in nowhere near as bad condition as I've been lead to believe some can be. I do feel sorry for them though, they look such a pathetic bunch compared to the big bold things at the farm where I used to get my eggs.

[Hashette]

They look in much better condition than mine were. It's lovely to see them with so much space, well done you, I hope you feel really good to have made such a difference to those little lives

[HayleyB]

They look great G4 better than I eggspected

[Glutton4...]

I had fun and games getting them in to bed.

They were all collected around the coop, pecking at the walls. Then three just hopped in of their own accord. I managed to get the rest in, despite a distraction from the dog who wanted to round them up (or eat them) he collided with the electric fence - big howl from him, which upset the girls a little but not for long.

About three of them managed to fly up onto the top of the nesting box, which made catching them easier. I may have to clip a wing sooner than I thought.

Can't wait for tomorrow. I'm so glad the weather was kind to them today, they had a good three hours of warm sun on their backs this morning.

[Noodle]

Glad you are enjoying them! They do look in good condition! At the rehoming I did they hens looked much like this with the odd oven ready one. I was told it was beacause the farmer packed them into crates and wouldn't let the really bald ones go! I'm helping empty a farm in December and keep being told it will open my eyes!
They look lovely and glad one is standing up to the dog, it'll mean he gets the idea a bit quicker!
p.s. your drinker looks amazing! Was it very expensive?

[Glutton4...]

Hi,

Yes the drinker was expensive £25 plus postage. On eBay of course (I'm an addict !) It holds 30 litres, so no worrying about running out on a hot day, or if you go away for the weekend and leave someone else in charge. Also there's no opportunity for the girls using it as a bath and contaminating it. The other reason I chose it was, being galvanised, it will probably outlast me, unlike the plastic ones.

The seller's eBay name is 'chickenfee' they are in Kent (I think) and they also sell the lovely 'Eggskelter' to keep your eggs safely in date order - got one of those too!

Regards,