Brand new shiny hens..At last!

[vixfinn]

Gosh!! It's an ever growing flock......Any advance on 3?

Will get more sociable with them I promise. It's just hard stooping level at the mo, really need to re-think the run. Still if I hadn't demanded chickens now it would have been another year

Maybe I will save enough to get one of those new fangled plastic things??

[Nicos]

What a lovely selection of colours too!

I've really chuffed for you..enjoy

[vixfinn]

Thanks Suechooks. I have done a lot of research honest
The multitude of books sometimes don't tell you the bits you really want to know.
I bought flubenvet but Annie Hall said it's difficult to administer unless you have loads of chickens. Should I get verm-x for 5 hens

I just fill up the feeder with "Farmgate" (I think) and they have been rationing themselves happily. They're not keen on potato peelings (boiled) Maybe too young and inexperienced?

When will they lay eggs? All POL, a couple clearly a few weeks older than the rest.

[polo]

They are lovely - well done for taking the plunge, theres no turning back now!

[chris]

You'll love them - when people used to say you can just watch them I thought they were loons! But, suffice to say, you can (and I do) just stand there and watch them - even in the freezing cold. Such funny characters, at times you think wow they're actually quite smart (i.e. looking up over a pallet, and flying over it to get to more grass), then you think how on earth can they be SO stupid, when said chicken who flew over upright pallet wants to get back to the others and it trying to go through the pallet holes.... for 10 mins, before giving up and just staring through it. Amusing

[Suechooks]

Flubenvet is EASY! Just weigh up 2kg of pellets and add a scoop of Flubenvet (presuming you've got the 1% stuff)mix well (you can add a drizzle of cod liver oil to help it stick to the pellets) and put it in the feeder for a week or so. Don't feed anything else for that time. Alternative way is put a pinch on the point of a knife, put that on a bit of wet bread/a grape and do each hen individually each day for a week.
Its not an exact science so a bit extra won't harm.
I've tried both ways and adding to feed is best for me. I keep a bit extra in a tub to make up a mash of pellets which my girls love. When you've used the first 2Kg just make up another 2kg and so on. You can give it an extra day or so if you have any left.
Verm-x is not a wormer its a preventer and you're better using Flubenvet as that will kill any worms your birds may have.
POL doesn't mean they'll lay imminently. You'll get indicators when theyre about to start - redder combs, squatting down when you place your hand on their backs etc. This time of year it may take a bit longer as there'snot a lot of daylight which they need to stimulate laying cycle. Hybrids are pretty good though and they may surprise you any day now!

[Glutton4...]

If you can't be bothered mixing up Flubenvet, or are worried about over- or under-dosing your flock, Marriages sell a range of pellets with it already included in the mix. Much easier, I just buy a few sacks of that periodically, now, and it seems to do the trick! But then I am lazy! LOL

[Flummery]

They are lovely aren't they? And the camera can't be all that bad!

[vixfinn]

Good suggestions. May try the grape thing as I'm trying to make them love me! It was a pleasure to see them all the trot out of the coop on this frosty morning

[vixfinn]

I pinched my daughters camera and it's a little bit "teenage" (pink and glittery). Not bad pics though considering.
I picked the fancypants bluebell because she reminded me of a canal boat we used to have called Dolly. Big, grey with an impressive hull

[country chic]

Are you a newbee chook enthusiast ? have had my 3 girls for 3 months now and although i have had a few teething problems just love having the chickens, they are such peaceful creatures really therapeutic, I think I spent the first few day just watching their every move, just like a new mother ! Mine are all becoming very tame and follow me around the garden. : )

[vixfinn]

Yes I'm a total newbie, I've done endless research but nothing prepared me for the worry and sense of duty I feel to protect them
I really need to save up for a safer run, we've done our best but I'm uneasy every morning.
They are tamer by the day but I'm a little worried about the lowest in the pecking order, Betty. I assume she'll be O.K but it's horrid to see her waiting til last to eat and not being allowed to bed til "Shania" the diva deems it fit
Still...I have to remind myself, they're chickens and I can't intervene unless there's damage done. Guess their still finding their place.
Must try to chill a bit!!