Look behind you! Grass! The wind gusts came up, ruffling their feathers, but they enjoyed their time outside the run. With our own dogs and dogs on the other side of the fences, along with various hawks that frequent the neighborhood, we're only going to free range them under supervision. Their run is pretty big for just a couple girls, but after a couple months, it's time for them to spread their wings. Hoping they discover the grass tonight. Lots of worms, bugs and, well, grass.
- LauraSac
- May 21, 2014
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1 month with the girls: So far, so good. They seem healthy, they go to their roost in the coop on their own each night, and no sign of predators or rodents. Plus, the girls are actually girls. They eat out of my hand, but they don't like to be picked up. I don't know if they'll ever love that, but I do want to be able to handle them without them getting pissy at me. Janet is definitely more comfortable being petted than Penny.
- LauraSac
- Apr 28, 2014
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Day 14: In the two weeks we've had them, Penny and Janet have gone from cowering in the corner of the coop when I open the door to eating out of my palm. And on the mornings when they're slow to come down from their coop, if I sit in the run, they'll make their way out. They still don't like to be picked up, but they've definitely warmed up to me.
- LauraSac
- Apr 14, 2014
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Day 10: They are growing so fast! They didn't come down from the coop for the past couple days. They finally did today, but hid behind the stump until I went into the run. I'm glad that they're so comfortable with me. They still won't eat out of my hands, but they like to be near me.
- LauraSac
- Apr 9, 2014
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Day 7: First day in the run! After 5 days of "coop training," we opened the coop door but they decided to stay inside a couple more days. They ventured down on day 7. Both girls have grown quite a bit in the week that we've had them, but Janet, the pullet on the right, is definitely bigger. Penny, though, might be the head of the pecking order. She stole a worm right out from Janet, and she just seems to have more spunk. With just two of them, though, they stay by each other's side. I still don't know exactly how old they are. Between 5-7 weeks, I think, when we got them.
- LauraSac
- Apr 7, 2014
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Our little guy learning "leave it." He's doing a better job than our two big dogs. Plus, the girls don't mind him. Even the couple times he barked, they couldn't care less. We'll need to spend more time with them all, though, until the dogs get bored with them. The dogs are inside when we're gone, so they'll have guaranteed peace all day.
- LauraSac
- Apr 7, 2014
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Day 5 of having the girls. Janet is getting tired of coop training. So is her sister, Penny, and so am I. It's only been 4 days. I've heard coop training should last anywhere from two days to two weeks. The weather tomorrow is supposed to be nice out and I work from home, so I think I'm going to let them into the run. We need to do some updates to the coop and can't while they're in there. For one thing, the roost is only a few inches off the floor. It's a tiny coop for a tiny flock, but there's room for a much higher roost. I thought it would be ok while they're little, but I swear they have grown each time I open the door. I thought they were 8 weeks when we got them, but I think they may have been closer to 5 or 6. They've been using the roost, so that's good. We've got some nice tree stumps in the run to roost on, so I'll be curious to see if they can get up on them since they're high. With a two-bird flock, I've been cleaning the coop morning and night. It's just like straining a litter box, something I've done most of my life. But I want to clear out all the shavings and add Sweet PDZ, which I ordered from my feed store. At least in the poop box (a cheap tray I got at the arts and crafts store, Michaels. With a little coop & flock, you can get improvise pretty easily).
- LauraSac
- Apr 3, 2014
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6-7 weeks old, not sure exactly. Janet and Penny enduring their "coop training." It's chilly and rainy, and will be beautiful starting Sunday, so the timing is perfect for being "cooped up." We've only had them two days, but Penny has gone from trying to hide under her sister when I open the door to just hanging out. Janet has been more confident from the beginning. I can't really tell the difference between them yet, but Penny has a band on her ankle. If one turns out to be a roo, I can return it, but I hope that doesn't happen. With such a tiny flock, I know I'll be awfully attached to them really quickly.
- LauraSac
- Apr 1, 2014
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