Another Newbie today!

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Debandchickens

Debandchickens

In the Brooder
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Jun 9, 2015
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Nova Scotia
And a very newbie I am - never owned or cared for chickens ever. But this has been my "once I'm retired wish list", so after the coops are ready to house the hens - the day has arrived. We brought home 6 hens, ready to lay.
It has been a couple of hours since we placed them in the coop, and after a brief look around, and showing limited interest in the food, they made their way to a corner and have been laying down....sleeping?
Is this normal for them? I am hoping so much that they will like being here. They were kind of cooing or making soft sounds which sounded like music - so am thinking they aren't stressed.
But any tips or opinions to get me through this 1st day would be appreciated.
I have a feeling I'll be making great use of BackYard Chickens.com!!
Thanks,
Debbie
 
Hi :welcome Debbie

Glad you could join the flock! Congratulations on your new girls :celebrate The cooing that sounds like music for me means they are happy and content. Moving home and settling in can be quite stressful for them so them being quiet and just in the corner sounds not bad. I'm sure once they have settled and got used to their new home they will be more active. Just make sure they have access to food and water.

Have you checked out the learning centre? Lots of articles in the "Getting started section" here is the link ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/getting-started-raising-chickens

Wishing you the very best of luck with your new chicken ventures. Be sure to ask any questions that you may have, everyone here to help and very friendly.

Enjoy BYC :frow
 
thank you greatly for your reply and reassurance. Last time I checked they had moved around and I gave them strawberries which I read they enjoy. I will keep an eye on them, leaving plenty of food and water. I can't wait for them to start interacting and letting me see their personalities. I'm in love already and it has barely been 4 1/2 hours!

I will be here often to ask questions.....thanks for being so welcoming:)

Debbie
 
Welcome to BYC!

Give your new girls a chance to get used to their surroundings and you. If they're anything like the birds I've had, they're pretty cautious of anything new but then they quickly forget it was a new thing and go about their business.

What breed did you get? Glad you're already fond of them, chickens do have a way of finding their way into a person's heart.

Good luck to you!
 
Thanks for encouragement! They seem to be moving about a bit more this evening in their coop and eating. That's a good thing! I know so little about chickens, I just ordered "ready to lay" hens. So everyone asks what breed? I only asked the supplier today and they told me they are Ross. Which in my google search seems to mean crossbreeds? Regardless, they are already developing some little actions. One I thought was leader or a bit of a bully, so called her Bully-Bully, another was very blonde, and my sister in law called her Blondie. I think it will take awhile to tell them a part, and I look forward to that.

Almost time to close up the coop for the night....I'll be out there bright and early to see if they are okay. My husband installed a hopper for their feed - they seem to like that as well as their dishes. He has been a God send in fixing up a place for the girls, considering he initially tried to talk me out of this adventure! His parents had a big poultry farm on this property many years ago, and it was a going concern. I'm really small chickens when compared to that, but I had to start somewhere!

I appreciate feeling so welcome here. Lots to learn!!
 
thank you
smile.png
 
Welcome to the Backyard chickens flock. They sound like they are happy in their new home - chickens coo and sometimes almost purr like a cat when they are content.
 

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