The newbies have arrived

[frias]

Collected our 3 new ex-batts (Orchid, Lily and Primrose) last night and as it was still early popped them in a small run on their own. After the older 3 had gone to bed the newbies were also put in the coop, all 6 sprayed with a light vinegar solution and settled down. Went out an hour later and all ladies asleep. Got up earlier than usual to let them out. Oldies came out and newbies stayed in until one of the oldies went into the coop and turned them out. There has been a bit of pecking but not too much, it's mainly centred on Orchid the bravest of the 3 newbies. They've pecked at the grass, drunk loads of water but not interested in the ground up pellets although the oldies have said thanks very much, we prefer this to our usual. AND 'whispers so Maureen doesn't hear' we've had 3 eggs from them this morning. Smaller than the older girls lay but the hens are much smaller too.

[Snadger]

Good stuff Frias!

[HayleyB]

Aaaawww, good to hear they are fitting in already

[julesapple]

Oh bless 'em! Sounds like they'll settle in well. Lovely names too!

Jules

[MaureenHall]

AND 'whispers so Maureen doesn't hear' we've had 3 eggs from them this morning.

Hmmph!!!

[Flummery]

Sounds like you've got them well on the way to being settled Frias.

Your time will come Maureen!

[MaureenHall]

I think I'd better start concentrating on the Bluebelles laying eggs before the ex-batts! They're 17 weeks now, so another 5 or 6 weeks perhaps?

[Suechooks]

I think I'd better start concentrating on the Bluebelles laying eggs before the ex-batts! They're 17 weeks now, so another 5 or 6 weeks perhaps?

I think my Bluebelle was about 23-24 weeks before she started. The Black Rock was first then Blue about a month later and the Sussex a fortnight after that.

[frias]

Think I got a bit too pleased with everything this morning. My normally lovely placid old girls have turned into bitches this afternoon. One is broody and I keep having to get her off the nest. She got mad with me and took it out on the newbies. (I didn't think this was the right time to put her in the sin bin when introducing new girls but might have to tomorrow.) One of the others has also had a go at the newbies this afternoon and has spent an awful lot of time being walked around in my arms to no avail. I don't think the newbies have eaten anything other than a bit of grass all day, they have had water though. Bedtime didn't go so smoothly either as once the old girls were in bed I tried to get the reluctant newbies in but as fast as I put one in and reached for another the first one came out. Finally got them all in and shut the pop hole. So much noise coming from within I peeped through the nest box to see one of the newbies sitting on the broodies head, so removed her to the other nest box. I don't usually let them sleep in the nest box but for the sake of harmony I've left them to it. Peace at last.