New arrivals

[pdblake]

I took delivery of four POL hens yesterday. They are sold as brown layers but a little investigation leads me to think they are ISA Browns.

I put them straight into the henhouse last night and they are reluctant to come out this morning

I was surprised at how big they are and yet still so easy to handle and happy to be handled.

I got them locally from a breeder who buys them in from a bigger supplier ad hoc when they don't have any of their own ready, who apparantly mostly supply battery farms, so these four have got lucky.

The breeder's son dropped them off as he was passing and said "Don't ask me anything, I don't know anything at all about chickens." I replied, "Me neither, thank God for the internet."

Anyway, they seem to be settling in alright, though they look a bit nervous. I shooed them outside before I set off for work and they were happily scratching about, though looking a bit nervous. I took a photo but didn't have time to get it off the camera. I'll post it later.

[Nicos]

Lovely news!!!...and yes...thank goodness for the internet...and the fantastic peeps on this site!!!

Piccies???...oohhhh yeeesss.....

[bluemoon]

Blimey PD, you don't muck about once you decide something, do you? Congratulations. I hope your chickens give you as much fun as mine are giving me.

[Flummery]

Mine are also 'pre-battery' types - I think you can rescue them either end of the process. You'll have so much fun with them! Our supplier told us to keep them indoors - in their house - for 3 days and supply food and water in there. It was a messy process! However, they soon learnt to put themselves to bed - a big help.

Looking forward to the pictures. They are gorgeous birds, the brown hybrids, and so friendly and placid.

[pdblake]

We were told to keep the food inside for a couple of nights and the water outside, but to let them out the first morning.

You're right about placcid. They really are easy to pick up, no struggle or fuss. I got a light peck off one when I first took her out of the box they came in, but I think that was more me picking her up wrong

[Glutton4...]

Aaaah, well done you. If they're as people-friendly as my ex-batts, you'll be in for a treat. They love to sit on your knee for a stroke and a 'chat' . Won't take them very long to pluck up the courage either. Enjoy!

[pdblake]

Some pics

[Glutton4...]

Aaah, they look lovely (not as nice as mine obviously lol ) but lovely all the same! ;D

[pdblake]

I've just tucked them up for the night and took a look in the run. I've never seen so much s**t The veg plot's going to look great next year

[Flummery]

They look gorgeous pdblake. And yes, you now have an inexhaustible supply of compost activator! Can you tell them apart yet? It took me several days but now I can. I can tell one by her whiny voice when she thinks I should give her more goodies!

[HayleyB]

They look lovely and are very very lucky laydees to have sescaped a fate worse than death

[pdblake]

They look gorgeous pdblake. And yes, you now have an inexhaustible supply of compost activator! Can you tell them apart yet? It took me several days but now I can. I can tell one by her whiny voice when she thinks I should give her more goodies!

I can almost tell them apart, but two are like identical twins, although one of them is defibately less timd than the other and will straight to me mostly