Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[LuckysMum]

Luckysmum, I wouldn't start changing anything yet. Just give them some time to get used to it. The weather is so mild, it really wouldn't bother me if my birds preferred to roost outside (I don't shut them in their house, their run is enclosed). Maybe they are squabbling about who sleeps where and that is why they weren't in there? I'd give it some time before making any changes in their digs.

Oh no Paul is making changes as I type. I won't say anything to him. I didn't think of squabbling, but of course we changed their home, 3 chickens were rehomed silly me.

 

[MyHaven]

I will catch up on other posts later.



Rest in Peace KiKi 16/03/2015  - 22/04/2016

I woke up at 06:30AM and mentioned to Hubby that the girls were very quiet and on looking out the window, not out of the coop yet, which is not normal.

Hubby went out, came back, gave me a hug and said that KiKi was gone 

I have no idea what happened, not a mark on her, she was running around the garden yesterday afternoon, causing mayhem, eating mealworms, harassing LuLu. 

She did try and sleep in the nest box last night and I popped her on the roost but other than that, nothing out of the ordinary,

She slept next to Cilla on the roost and there are a few Cilla feathers in the coop.  I heard a cat fight at 3am but obviously not in the coop.

I feel so bad right now after talking about rehoming her and venting about her being noisy, she is gone   

Oh Hun, I can't believe it. I am so sorry. Please don't feel bad about the rehoming thoughts.

 

[MyHaven]

The new coop

Used a dog ramp for them to get in.

nesting box they have never had dividers so we didn't put any in.



The girls seem to like it. We have hung the feeder underneath.

But we have a problem. I just went out to check on them 1 is sitting in the doorway another on the ramp the rest are on the ground. I am wondering if it's to dark in there the light comes from the door and the floor is 25mm mesh under the perch the rest is wood. I gave them some bread and they went in but came straight out. So I'm wondering if they need more light when the go to bed. I'm thinking because its not that dark outside they're not going in and when they do it's too dark. Is that a valid theory?
Can anyone shed any more light (haha) on it?

In the photos I can't see much ventilation. Do you have enough?

 

[MyHaven]

Thought I'd share this deal with you guys. Especially good for those just starting out.

http://www.dineachook.com.au/produc...%2b-FREE-Dine-a-Chook-Medication-Drinker.html

Not bad at all.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[MyHaven]

this little darling is going in the show this year...SQUEE!!!! im a bit excited and really nervous.

Best of luck. When is the show?

 

[MyHaven]

The picture says it all.

Well obviously that's true.

 

[MyHaven]

Hey, thanks everyone

, yeah, I think I am still in shock and totally gutted

It sucks that I have no idea what happened and can only wonder if it had something to do with the cat fight? Scared her etc?

potato chip you could be right about her vocalisation but she appeared seriously healthy and spunky, showed absolutely no signs of anything amiss, including laying a perfectly normal egg on Wednesday, healthy appetite, spring in her step and normal overnight poops last night up until she passed.

I understand the not knowing part is hard. But you can't dwell on it. (Pot and kettle here) I understand you will be in shock. Satay is right, we will all miss her and I am still in shock too.

You brought her into our own backyards with your stories. She was one our own. I am still so sorry to hear the news.

 

[satay]

The picture says it all.e

I need a sign like that for my house

 

[LuckysMum]

In the photos I can't see much ventilation. Do you have enough?

I thought so Paul's put another window opposite the door. The floor is mesh and wood and the door stays open.
I may have to give them time to settle.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I thought so Paul's put another window opposite the door.  The floor is mesh and wood and the door stays open.
I may have to give them time to settle.

We usually leave spaces in the floor and put the ventilation holes up high. Chickens create a lot of condensation overnight and you want it to escape. If it settles on the birds comb and wattles on a cold night, all you need is a bit of a draught and they will get frostbite.
I've lived in Perth and I know that you guys still get some very cold nights.
straight comb birds are more probed to frost bite.