ooops i've done it again.....more chickens...

catewithers

LOL! I can just imagine your hen perched in the bird bath squawking for all she's worth!!!! I plan to let mine free range when we're at home and in the garden to keep an eye on them too.

Is it true I need to keep them fairly confined for a bit first to get them accustomed to their new home? If so, how long for?

just-saving

A book I am reading at the moment by Katie Thear says this:
Introducing birds to their new homes
When they are delivered, they will be stressed, particularly if the journey has been a long one, so handling them gently and talking to them quietly is important. The correct way to hold a chicken is to support its body from below, while confining its wings from above. Having the head end towards you reduces the likelihood of getting droppings down your front.
The first priority is to put the birds into their house, with a feeder and drinker and then leave them alone. Its a good idea to keep them confined to the house for 24 hours before opening the pop-hole to let them out into the run. This ensures that the concept of 'home' is imprinted straight away. When it is time to open the pop-hole after their confinement, leave them to come out in their own time. Some birds emerge straight away and others are more cautious. If the feeder and drinker are now placed in a covered area of the run they are more likely to investigate. After a short time birds are used to their new home and go in and out as if they had always been there.

I am lovin' the 'hold and talk to them gently' bit when they arrive...the 'putting the birds in the house and leaving them alone' bit is going to be soooooo hard. I've been waiting all this time and then I have to leave them alone!
Patience...thats all I need....a little patience......

catewithers

LOL!!! I know! It's going to be so hard - I'm going to keep wanting to go out and see them!!! Patience isn't a strong point of mine....

Desperately trying to be patient while waiting for my phone to ring to tell me that they've arrived at the bird farm.....

catewithers

The chickens have arrived at the bird farm!!! Off this afternoon to choose which ones I want!!

Oooooh! I'm almost beside myself!

COOLTRIKERCHICK

catewithers wrote: »

The chickens have arrived at the bird farm!!! Off this afternoon to choose which ones I want!!

Oooooh! I'm almost beside myself!

ooooo i am all excited for you :j :j :j :j

not long now......

just-saving

catewithers wrote: »

The chickens have arrived at the bird farm!!! Off this afternoon to choose which ones I want!!

Oooooh! I'm almost beside myself

yayyyyyyyy! I was so excited when I read your news that I nearly jumped up and down for joy! Its ok...I managed to contain myself and stay seated at the table...only just! I think it might have something to do with me going to pick my little ladies up too....at 6pm Thursday evening. :j :j :j :j :j :j

(starts singing)
we're getting chickens
we're so excited
we're getting chickens
we're so excited.......

catewithers

I'm joining in with the singing!!!!! JS - make sure you post a photo of them!

Chosen 4 beautiful hens and they're arriving late morning tomorrow!!!!

So so so so so so so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry everyone else - I'm sure it's very boring hearing us go on and on and on....

COOLTRIKERCHICK

catewithers wrote: »

I'm joining in with the singing!!!!! JS - make sure you post a photo of them!

Chosen 4 beautiful hens and they're arriving late morning tomorrow!!!!

So so so so so so so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry everyone else - I'm sure it's very boring hearing us go on and on and on....

hi... no not boring us at all.....we... not me anyway...lol....as i know exactly where you are coming from... as they do become part of the family....
you have done everything correctly....

i just want to add.... for anyone thinking about having chickens.....

please...please..... note..... they are like any other animal.. you need to be committed... to looking after them properly.... and with the summer coming and people go away for weekends. or their fortnights holiday...etc....please think about who is trust worthy and reliable to look after them.. and ask them first if they are prepared to do this before getting your chickens....


i'll get off my perch now ( excuse the bird pun)

catewithers you will have post some photos of your girls for us to see....

Penelope_Penguin

DH *candled* our eggs yesterday (shone a bright torch throught them). He could see that they were all starting to form.

Very excited. 2 weeks to go!

Penny. x

kit34

wow what a fantatic thread , ive never been in this one before and i was hooked from page 1 , i dont have chickens but my OH has always said he would like them when we move somewhere bigger , this thread has made me laugh and cry and im also excited for the chicken deliveries lol , good luck with your "chooks" i will be in again to read up on the progress ,:)
kit x