Beginners first day...update

[Albanach]

Got three brownies last night and had them in the garden all day today. 2 bold ones and one quiet one! I ended up getting a proper coop and am delighted I have done so they will be happy in their new house. I got one egg today which was not expected at all but made me and the wife smile!

They didn't touch their layers pellets though - is this something to be concerned about on the first day? They were scratching and eating grass most of the day though. I am not sure what they were eating prior to coming to me but I might try and mash some of the pellets up tomorrow - would this be a good idea?

Cheers for all the help!

[RichmondHens]

Just keep offering the pellets - they probably didn't eat much because they were more interested in the grass. Once they have settled in they will eat more pellet. Don't worry, they won't starve themselves!

[Albanach]

Cheers Richmond I'll keep feeding them the pellets!

[polo]

Glad you took the plunge and got your hens - and an egg on their first day too. That's great and so exciting.

We need to see pictures...

Polo

[country chic]

I just keep giveing them the pellets, they'll soon get the idea. If you let them fill up on the pellets before you let them graze the garden.
That great getting an egg first day, may there be many more : 0 ) .

[Glutton4...]

Congrats on your Girls. I'm taking bets on how long it will be until you get more!!! LOL

[Glutton4...]

Oh, yeah - we neeeeeeeeeeed pictures, coz we're nosey, erm... I mean... interested, yes that's it, interested!

[chris]

How are they getting on, and more importantly, how are you getting on? Hooked yet?

[Albanach]

They are going well thanks. Still getting an egg a day from one of them so hope fully the others are coming into lay soon enough.

They are eating the pellets but only a small quantity - I take it they will only eat what they need and eventually they will get tucked into them?

We have had brutal winds here and they are struggling to stay on their feet which I find quite funny. I wouldn't say I'm hooked but its nice to have them and to watch them as they are all individual characters.

Would it be a good idea to put a cat litter tray out with some sand/earth/ash from fire for a dust bath or will they not go into it if it is wet throgh at this time of the year?

[RichmondHens]

They will only bathe in dry earth so you would have to site it in a sheltered spot where it can't get wet. A cat litter tray may not be big enough. Mine dig dusting pits big enough to get a pig in! When we move the enclosures onto fresh ground we have to go around with wheelbarrow loads of soil to fill in the pits.

Mine tend to dig their pits either under the hen houses where the ground always stays dry, or under a handy bush or tree.

[chris]

Mine must be stupid, RH - they bath in pea single - if they're in my garden (flown over low temp fence) - down the side of my house has a small gravel section, it's EVERYWHERE. Bloomin PITA! Have it sweep it back in all the time.

That said, in new run I'm planning on getting one of those horse feeding trugs and putting in a mix of sand, mite powder, and perhaps some dry earth for them to do their bathing business in... it'll be always covered so thought may as well!

[chris]

BTW - I don't often see mine eating the pellets, but their crops are always full, and the amount of poo they produce lets me know that they're eating ok

[RichmondHens]

They eat more than you think. Chickens don't starve themselves. They're greedy little b*****s!