Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

ljonski

Firstly i am deeply sorry about your family tragedy. Yes they will need layers pellets and water Try http://www.downthelane.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=8&sid=95737ad9de75848fd1f060c621b968c9 and post there for more immediate advice hth

HeatherintheHills

I'm also sorry to read of your tragedy.

THIS thread on DTL has lots of good advice and a FAQ you may find useful.

HeatherintheHills

It must be the week for huge eggs, one of my new girls laid this, it is a whopping 82g and 7cm long, ouch!

ionahenor2

wow Heather.

tanyalbeck

thanks guys! one more (odd) question... can they eat rw/ cooked apple peels? I just made vats of apple sauce and have half a bucket of peels!! Or if it's too much at one can the peels (cooked?) be frozen? Thanks!
Tanya

Syman

tanyalbeck wrote: »

thanks guys! one more (odd) question... can they eat rw/ cooked apple peels? I just made vats of apple sauce and have half a bucket of peels!! Or if it's too much at one can the peels (cooked?) be frozen? Thanks!
Tanya

Personally i wouldn't bother freezing them if it was just to give to your chooks. They will almost certainly eat them, but they should only be given as "treats" so would take an age to get through them.

Heather - all i can say is OUCH!!!:rotfl:

HeatherintheHills

Syman wrote: »

Heather - all i can say is OUCH!!!:rotfl:

Funny thing was, I watched Dinah lay it and she was totally cool!

I'd had one of the cockerels indoors overnight and took him back up to the run in a cat carrier. I put the empty carrier down for a minute while I pooh picked etc. and when I went to pick it up Dinah had decided it was where she wanted to lay her egg. So I sat and watched her. It took her a while but was no big deal as far as she was concerned. She does lay big eggs, but this one was exceptional.

It is cockerel swapping season in my village just now. And it is hilarious, we need a list of who bred what from whom up in the village hall! There are birds being passed over fences left, right and center. It is the first time I've been able to take part, and as I recently found myself with 2 extra cockerels it has been great fun. I'm trading for hens though as I don't need any more boys for next year.

HeatherintheHills

ionahenor2 wrote: »

(The birds feed on them and lots fall on the ground......didn't want anyone to think they could climb trees)

Mine are! I found 4 of them in the old elder tree earlier and the berries are not even ripe yet (or they are getting to them before I see them!) :rotfl::rotfl:

eta, 2 full sizes Silkies (boy and girl) and a Poland hen have joined the flock in the last week. Somebody stop me please :eek:

ionahenor2

How many is that now Heather or daren't you count them?:rotfl:

Managed to get OH to finally pick an area for the new pen. We chose a spot on Saturday and the boy with his toy (jcb) said he would just level out the slope a little. Next thing he is clearing the whole area and bank, raking it and seeding it. So we are having a new lawn there instead.

They are now going where I suggested several weeks ago. I should have just done it myself!!

HeatherintheHills

ionahenor2 wrote: »

How many is that now Heather or daren't you count them?:rotfl:

Managed to get OH to finally pick an area for the new pen. We chose a spot on Saturday and the boy with his toy (jcb) said he would just level out the slope a little. Next thing he is clearing the whole area and bank, raking it and seeding it. So we are having a new lawn there instead.

They are now going where I suggested several weeks ago. I should have just done it myself!!

Sounds like you have a lovely new lawn AND get the hens where you wanted them to go. Result :T

This time last year I had 4, now I have 21 :eek: And 2 breeding trios of bantams due to arrive soon.

The flock is:
about 8 retired hybrid ladies (Love 'em, hope they make it through the winter)
6 hybrid ladies still laying (on and off)
2 bantam pullets
a bantam pair
a Silkie pair
a very friendly pet Poland who spends most of her time pottering around the garden with me.

They own me, I am so addicted