Hello, Im New to Chicken Keeping!

Date sort Score sort
Shelley Dawn said:
Thank you for all your welcomes! I will post flock pics. Ive just posted on the emergency forum as Im really worried about one of them (the Bluebell in the avatar). Less than 24 hours after joinng BYC I ask an emergency question. Im sorry! Any help appreciated x
Click to expand...

You're welcome, and X2 on chickens r life; I hope your Bluebell will be okay.
 
WELCOME to BYC!
frow.gif
 
Thank you for all your friendly welcomes. very sadly, my little girls 24 week Bluebelle had to be "put down" on Thursday. We were eagerly awaiting her first egg but sadly she had a vent prolapse instead. I followed advice here and another great site but she had quite a bit of bleeding and despite being as good as gold when I cleaned her up and reduced the prolapse, she separated herself from the flock and stopped foraging on Thursday. She had lost quite a bit of weight. I took her to the farm we bought her from. They were so kind and helpful but there was only one thing to do and they sent her to chicken heaven for us. She was such a tame sweet little thing. My 11 year old daughter cuddled her every morning after breakfast, dressed in her onesie, sat on the island on the pond chatting away to her chicken who sat "listening" on her lap or shoulder. I never thought that after 5 weeks we would have all become so attached to all our chickens. We were worried about foxes, the dog (who turns out to be brilliant with them- they walk over her head when she is lying in the garden!) but we never anticipated this.
This weekend we have introduced "the newbies"- 2 large, fiesty, shouty ladies from a local hen lady. They have been organically reared and seem extremely robust and healthy. I think they are about 24 weeks and both laying already. They are settling in well, although a few squabbles. All was peaceful albeit a little wary until the dominant of the two newbies pecked the smallest, youngest of the originals (a 22 week black rock called Midnight) and then the original alpha hen (Shelly Dawn- a Light Sussex) went absolutely beserk!! She has remained dominant so that Midnight is currently third in the pecking order as the two originals have enforced respect for her from the newbies!!! Its so funny but it makes total sense. I also find it amazing that although the roost only has the teeniest of slopes, the flock roost on it in strict pecking order: Shelley Dawn, Gwen Hen, Midnight, Pepper (Newbie- Magpie) and Melrose (Newbie- dark speckledy)!
Melrose is my daughters new chicken. She is sad that she is not yet tame but we are working hard hard on that and she's coming on well, now eating from very near us, almost out of our hand, having raced away as soon as we were near at first.
I will post some pictures asap. Any tips on taming very welcome!
Meanwhile, my 9 year old sons chicken is Midnight, the 22 week black rock who is still small, not yet laid and seems to sleep more than the others. Her comb and wattles are teeny and have always been pale. However she does actively forage and greedily eats with the others so fingers crossed she is just small.......The Newbies seem huge in comparison. I can't help worrying.
 
Shelley Dawn said:
Thank you for all your friendly welcomes. very sadly, my little girls 24 week Bluebelle had to be "put down" on Thursday Sorry to read this.. We were eagerly awaiting her first egg but sadly she had a vent prolapse instead. I followed advice here and another great site but she had quite a bit of bleeding and despite being as good as gold when I cleaned her up and reduced the prolapse, she separated herself from the flock and stopped foraging on Thursday. She had lost quite a bit of weight. I took her to the farm we bought her from. They were so kind and helpful but there was only one thing to do and they sent her to chicken heaven for us. She was such a tame sweet little thing. My 11 year old daughter cuddled her every morning after breakfast, dressed in her onesie, sat on the island on the pond chatting away to her chicken who sat "listening" on her lap or shoulder. I never thought that after 5 weeks we would have all become so attached to all our chickens. We were worried about foxes, the dog (who turns out to be brilliant with them- they walk over her head when she is lying in the garden!) but we never anticipated this.
This weekend we have introduced "the newbies"- 2 large, fiesty, shouty ladies from a local hen lady. They have been organically reared and seem extremely robust and healthy. I think they are about 24 weeks and both laying already. They are settling in well, although a few squabbles. All was peaceful albeit a little wary until the dominant of the two newbies pecked the smallest, youngest of the originals (a 22 week black rock called Midnight) and then the original alpha hen (Shelly Dawn- a Light Sussex) went absolutely beserk!! She has remained dominant so that Midnight is currently third in the pecking order as the two originals have enforced respect for her from the newbies!!! Its so funny but it makes total sense. I also find it amazing that although the roost only has the teeniest of slopes, the flock roost on it in strict pecking order: Shelley Dawn, Gwen Hen, Midnight, Pepper (Newbie- Magpie) and Melrose (Newbie- dark speckledy)!
Melrose is my daughters new chicken. She is sad that she is not yet tame but we are working hard hard on that and she's coming on well, now eating from very near us, almost out of our hand, having raced away as soon as we were near at first.
I will post some pictures asap. Any tips on taming very welcome! I tame my chickens by grabbing a drink, grabbing a chicken and going to the patio. While I enjoy the drink the bird sits on my lap. The idea is to take the bird in question to a place that is new to the bird. Most times the chicken stays in my lap because it fears its surroundings. Curiosity usually takes over and the bird starts moving in my lap looking at everything. A few offered treats and a few days and all fear of me is gone-a tame chicken.
Meanwhile, my 9 year old sons chicken is Midnight, the 22 week black rock who is still small, not yet laid and seems to sleep more than the others. Her comb and wattles are teeny and have always been pale. However she does actively forage and greedily eats with the others so fingers crossed she is just small.......The Newbies seem huge in comparison. I can't help worrying.
Click to expand...
 
Thank you nchls school. All tips from more experienced chicken keepers than me (ie all!) very welcome indeed. Maybe that's why my daughters hen was so tame so fast- she took her to the log pile or pond island to talk to which was not where they usually roam. We will follow your advice.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom