Getting some girls tomorrow

[kirsty b]

OH is getting us our first girls in the morning. We are only having 3 to start with while we get the hang of it. Keeping them is going to be MUCH different to reading up on how to keep them. We are getting Warrens.

Kirsty

[Digger-07]

Good luck with the chooks, I would really like a few and really envy you. Keep us up to date with your experiences.

[kirsty b]

Thanks Digger

we're very much going to be learning as we go along, when they've settled in, I'll put some pics on the blog and the vine.

Kirsty

[serenity]

great news kirsty keep us updated on your progress

[shirlthegirl43]

Congratulations and lucky you! Can't wait to hear how you get on with them.

[shirley]

well done, you are lucky I would love to be able to have some. Ah well may be one day.

[Mrs Dobby]

Green with envy here Kirsty! Good luck and have fun with the girls!

[Hans Mum]

really jealous, hope they settle in well & produce lots for you

[kirsty b]

Thanks everyone for your good wishes. The girls seem to have settled in ok, good appetites and drinking well too. Already had 3 eggs, and thats just on the first day! At work at the mo (nightshift ) but will be popping to the plot to let them out in the morning before I go to bed.

[MURFE 18]

Hi, kirsty b we have just got chooks 7 total, 2 marrans, 2 black rock, 3 light sussex, some times we get7 eggs other days, 4/5 but great just watching them scrat about makes you feel relaxed, hope you enjoy as much as we do.

[greenmachine]

Hi Kirsty
Glad your chicks are laying , I think it is important to handle them and talk to them they are very friendly once they get to know you.
Ok I am chicken mad

[kirsty b]

They are doing well. OH has finished building their outdoor run which gives them much more room to scratch about in than the bottom of the ark where they have been temporarily housed. He's now working on the shed which is to be their permanent house. Got the nest boxes in and a ramp leading up to them. Needs to cut a hole in the side of the shed leading from out to in.
When feeding them I offer them some from my hand and they are getting more confident as they settle in. One of them pecked my eldest stepson on the bum earlier today, never seen the boy move so quick! Cracked me up though. They'r not even that bothered by the dog now, one of them went for her tongue through the fence today.
After three days, I can safely say that I'm chicken mad too now.

[balliol]

Hi Kirsty, dead jealous but excited for you. well excited for me too really as we pick ours up finally on Tuesday next week as they are being looked after by a friend until then to give us time to get run ready. I do have a burning question though.....how much to you give them to feed is it a couple of handfuls of layers pellets a day with a bit of corn thrown in at evening I havent actually seen this written anywhere but am off to scout round forums again to see if info comes up!

[Birdie Wife]

I remember reading somewhere it's about 4oz per bird/day but that's for quite large birds. if you're feeding corn in the evening you can cut back a bit too, but don't give them too much corn 'cos they like it too much and then they won't eat the layers, which is better for them. It's so much fun to see them run for corn though! A chicken running towards you is just so comical to watch!

[kirsty b]

We've got mixed grain and put it with layers pellets. I'm not measuring it though. Should I be? We put in enough to cover the bottom of a sturdy little trough when we let them out in the morning and scatter some so they can scratch around to find it during the day. Don't want to leave too much food about in case of vermin. They have also been finding and eating worms and stuff that they find in the ground. They seem to have pretty healthy appetities and I find with them its the pellets that go first.
Didn't take them long to associate people with grub, they are waiting at the gate for me now when I go down to see them.

Kirsty