The new arrivals

[BarleySugar]

We went and picked up our 6 girls today, around 17 weeks old. They took quite a time to venture out of the coop, and then didn't want to go to bed. Well I suppose that wasn't really the case, 4 of them were roosting on top of the coop, so we just picked them up and put them in.

[Falkirk Bairn]

Hi, I picked up my 6 girls today also. Mine are between 18 and 22 wks.

[petal]

nice coop, no red mite will get in there! Do you mind me asking, is there a large run in front of this coop?

[BarleySugar]

I was looking at the wooden coops, ebay etc, but when I went to the local pet shop I saw one of the ones with the integral run with 2 chickens in. By the time they had the feeder and drinker in there the hens were very cramped. seeing them in there would not, I think, encourage anyone to buy one. Besides that, it sounded as if we'd be looking for another one very quickly as they aren't very weatherproof or robust. OH said it was better to go a bit more upmarket, and I liked the Green Frogs because they are made from recycled plastic. We've built a decent run in the space behind the greenhouse which is partially covered, and then got a small patio there as well, where we can put up a small barrier. The idea is we can sit there and 'play' with them and they can roam the rest of garden when we are there to supervise them. At the moment they spend a lot of time under the coop, but they were all clustered at the fence when I went out earlier, so we opened the gate and lured them out a little way with corn. The breeder did say they ate the layers pellets and mixed corn, but as per advice we've read here and elsewhere, the corn will be for a treat and taming as they are a bit skittish of us yet. DDs boyfriend named the black rock Rose, because she looks beautiful, but has a nasty nip if you're not careful

[petal]

they will tame up in no time- try some meal worms!!

[BarleySugar]

The ladies are now confident enough to venture through the gate to the run, especially if corn is involved, although we are beginning to work out the 'pecking order'. The magpie, Suzie, is the head honcho, followed by Rose, the Black Rock. Sadly the largest, Calypso, the blue, seems to be the lowest, she's always the last to venture out, and she doesn't like being put in the coop at night. The rest go to bed on their own. I forgot to get meal worms when we were at the garden centre on Saturday, but we have found they love the cabbage stalks from the allotment. I haven't given them the full range of the garden yet though.
We have found it best to put the feeder and drinker on cut off logs so the ladies cannot scratch the chippings from the run into them. I can't hang them as there is nowhere to hang them from.
My brother, his wife and little boy came to visit today. My brother was very interested and is thinking about chickens too. I think my nephew would be facinated, though he is only 15 months old. He loved seeing them come for the corn. They've got much more space than I have, but they were very impressed with the green frog coop.

[Glutton4...]

Ooooh they look lovely! Sounds like you're addicted already!

[BarleySugar]

DD, son no2 and I are all in love . DD had a row with son no2, so went out to scatter some corn to them and have a chat, she said they are very theraputic. Son no2 disappears regularly to 'check up on them, and is very concientious in going out to shut them up at night. He very proudly showed them off to his mates who come round on Mondays for the role play sessions he runs. Seeing an 18 year old girls, heavily made up and dressed to the nines, scattering corn to tempt chickens to her was a strange but endearing sight.
I can't wait to let them have a bit more freedom, but it's taking a bit of time to organise the rest of the garden for them to roam. Calypso still didn't go into the coop tonight though, but she is coming forward a bit more during the day, not lurking under the coop so much.