[Beth78]

Well done for rescuing these girls, they look very happy in their new home

How many hens do you have now?

Yes they have settled in very well, they insist on sleeping in the nest box wich looks abit of a squeeze.
It's a little flock of 7 now. Candy is definitely the leader, the newbies show no sign of wanting to take her place as ruler of the roost.

 

[SbanR]

Yes they have settled in very well, they insist on sleeping in the nest box wich looks abit of a squeeze.
It's a little flock of 7 now. Candy is definitely the leader, the newbies show no sign of wanting to take her place as ruler of the roost.

How about another photo of your poser

 

[Cleo38]

Yes they have settled in very well, they insist on sleeping in the nest box wich looks abit of a squeeze.
It's a little flock of 7 now. Candy is definitely the leader, the newbies show no sign of wanting to take her place as ruler of the roost.

It really was fascinating watching mine establish a hierarchy. It took my initial hens a couple of weeks & they all took turns tryin for top hen. In the end it was quiet Betty who came in & took charge. Like she had sat back & watched , planned a strategy then came in with such force & took the other girls by shock

 

[Beth78]

How about another photo of your poser

Here's little Bobette posing as usual :Chicken

 

[NaomiM]

Yes they have settled in very well, they insist on sleeping in the nest box wich looks abit of a squeeze.
It's a little flock of 7 now. Candy is definitely the leader, the newbies show no sign of wanting to take her place as ruler of the roost.

Sounds like your intros went well When I introduced my newest girl Lily to Dot and Peach, it took forever before my rather psychotic girl Dot stopped trying to kill her! Now they're best buddies - well, unless Lily nabs a treat that Dot had her eye on...

 

[Beth78]

It'll take gumption to overthrow this particular battlaxe.

 

[Beth78]

...and Pamela wins 1st prize for fluffier bum.

 

[Beth78]

 

[Beth78]

I bought a couple of cheap grass turfs from B&Q for the girls. They're all enjoying a good peck and scratch.

 

[Happy Paws2]

They are looking much better and happy.

 

[NaomiM]

I bought a couple of cheap grass turfs from B&Q for the girls. They're all enjoying a good peck and scratch.

Ooh, that's a good idea. How long does it take them to destroy it? :Chicken

 

[£54etgfb6]

What lovely enrichment for them I've heard they quite like food hanging or hidden in items like dog kongs- could be an idea They look adorable.

 

[Beth78]

Ooh, that's a good idea. How long does it take them to destroy it? :Chicken

I've put some under chicken wire so they can't scratch the roots up and some out of reach in a small run which I will uncover periodically so they don't totally destroy it. The uncovered bits will be destroyed in afew days I reckon.

What lovely enrichment for them I've heard they quite like food hanging or hidden in items like dog kongs- could be an idea They look adorable.

Their favourite thing to do is finding mealworms and corn in straw. They also like a lettuce on a string. They used to have a treat ball but it disappeared.

 

[£54etgfb6]

Their favourite thing to do is finding mealworms and corn in straw. They also like a lettuce on a string. They used to have a treat ball but it disappeared.

Oh, that sounds so cute!! I'm glad you keep them entertained and stimulated by doing things like that

 

[NaomiM]

I've put some under chicken wire so they can't scratch the roots up and some out of reach in a small run which I will uncover periodically so they don't totally destroy it. The uncovered bits will be destroyed in afew days I reckon.

Their favourite thing to do is finding mealworms and corn in straw. They also like a lettuce on a string. They used to have a treat ball but it disappeared.

Mine love mealworms in straw too, I'm always amazed how quickly they snaffle them all out! I've tried cabbage on a string (which they weren't too fussed about) but not lettuce as I read somewhere that too much can give them the runs?
The other thing mine love is a big wooden planter filled with a mixture of sand and compost They use it for digging, perching and dust bathing.
Looking forward to Monday when the bird flu restrictions ease and I can let them out for a peck around the rest of the garden again!

 

[GingerNinja]

I have my neighbour's chickens visit my front garden every day now that they have worked out that there is bird seed dropped from the table. I love watching them doing their little scratching moon walk in the grass
The cockerel calls the girls over of he finds anything interesting!

ETA is it normal that a cockerels feet feathers drop off?

 

[Lurcherlad]

I have my neighbour's chickens visit my front garden every day now that they have worked out that there is bird seed dropped from the table. I love watching them doing their little scratching moon walk in the grass
The cockerel calls the girls over of he finds anything interesting!

ETA is it normal that a cockerels feet feathers drop off?

Aren't they still supposed to be confined so no contact with wild birds because of avian flu?

 

[SbanR]

Aren't they still supposed to be confined so no contact with wild birds because of avian flu?

Today is Freedom Day according to the news

 

[Beth78]

I have my neighbour's chickens visit my front garden every day now that they have worked out that there is bird seed dropped from the table. I love watching them doing their little scratching moon walk in the grass
The cockerel calls the girls over of he finds anything interesting!

ETA is it normal that a cockerels feet feathers drop off?

I've never thought of it as a moon walk that's so funny.
My oldest girls are moulting at the moment so it could be that your neighbours Cockerell is moulting for the summer.

Bobbete had a grand adventure this afternoon and travelled into next door's garden, she was having a wonderful time on their perfectly manicured lawn, pecking away to her hearts content.
I ruined her fun and plopped her back with her sisters. I think she's abit passed off.

 

[Beth78]

Bobette has her new feathers coming through.
They are a proper flock now, no bullying or pecking frensies.