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They were sold as Outgate Blacks (Outgate is the name of the smallholding where we get them). They are probably the same cross as Black Rocks but don't come from the genuine Black Rock hatchery.
Don't think there will be eggs before the end of March - they are just 16 weeks. They do lay a particularly dark egg, we're told. The combs look more red in the picture than they actually are. As for integration - not yet! The run is divided in half with the stiff plastic netting I use for growing peas up. At the bedtime corn treat time, we removed the divider. Mostly ignored each other but on 2 occasions the new girls came too close to Topaz and to defend her Corn Rights she went for the back of their necks! Little horror! THere were a few little black feathers in the run. I pulled her off each time and kept her under my arm for a while before putting her back. The Big Girls went up to bed and the Little Gilrs decided to settle down in the 'pit' - the sunken fish box where they snuggle for shelter when it's windy. I shut the door (it's usually automatic but I unhitched it) and put the young'uns in through the drop down flap for cleaning. Plonked them on the perch and from the poo, they stayed put all night.
This morning I got up earlier than usual to open to pop-hole. Stand-off! Garnet and Nutmeg stood either side of the door and neither fancied shoving past the other. (Garnet's bottom bird of the Big Girls). I opened the side flap and lifted the new girls off and then replaced the divider.
Much moaning and whinging from the Big lasses. At one point in the water-changing and poo-picking duties I said "Shut up - it IS fair!" You really do think you know what they are saying!
Don't think there will be eggs before the end of March - they are just 16 weeks. They do lay a particularly dark egg, we're told. The combs look more red in the picture than they actually are. As for integration - not yet! The run is divided in half with the stiff plastic netting I use for growing peas up. At the bedtime corn treat time, we removed the divider. Mostly ignored each other but on 2 occasions the new girls came too close to Topaz and to defend her Corn Rights she went for the back of their necks! Little horror! THere were a few little black feathers in the run. I pulled her off each time and kept her under my arm for a while before putting her back. The Big Girls went up to bed and the Little Gilrs decided to settle down in the 'pit' - the sunken fish box where they snuggle for shelter when it's windy. I shut the door (it's usually automatic but I unhitched it) and put the young'uns in through the drop down flap for cleaning. Plonked them on the perch and from the poo, they stayed put all night.
This morning I got up earlier than usual to open to pop-hole. Stand-off! Garnet and Nutmeg stood either side of the door and neither fancied shoving past the other. (Garnet's bottom bird of the Big Girls). I opened the side flap and lifted the new girls off and then replaced the divider.
Much moaning and whinging from the Big lasses. At one point in the water-changing and poo-picking duties I said "Shut up - it IS fair!" You really do think you know what they are saying!
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