Quote:
Originally Posted by Cascara
How are you getting on then?
Usually we use hay for the nesting boxes and straw, shavings or grass for their other areas, that way the nesting boxes have a different bedding, are softer and easier to nest in.
Hens can fly so 6foot is nothing, I would use the 5ft run for a while and settle them in so they know where home is.
The cage is rather small and looks dark but that may be the picture. It is still far better than any battery system though. Make sure they get sunlight but also have shelter so they do not get too hot.
They may stop laying and start a heavy moult, losing all their feathers to regrow new ones, sometimes a move can trigger this.
Do you have an update  |
Thanks for replying Cascara.
Well picked them up this afternoon instead of yesterday. They had laid this morning.
The family had had them since August and had just started to lay then. They have been used to roaming the garden and are so tame....wandering into the kitchen when I was there. Such a shame their little boy was scared of them.
The hutch is light, I think it was the pic as I took it on my phone. I was going to block the other top half too for sleeping and laying? but maybe not a good idea.
I thought about just using the run until they were used to me and their surrondings and then they can have the run of the garden. Do you think a week? or more or less.
The hutch will only be used for night time although the door will be open for them to go into if they wish and I will change the straw in their boxes to hay tomorrow as its a bit dark now and they are settled.
Is wing clipping cruel? My neighbour has mentioned about wire so they cannot perch on the fences and then hop down. I just want them safe. How does everyone else keep their hens confined to their garden?
They have come with a sack of pellets. Is there anything else they need for a staple diet?
Probably have loads of questions over the next few days hahaha!!!