New run for the bantams

[Debbiesue]

Our new bantam run was finished today. The guys who built it have both fallen under the spell of the chickens so stayed late just to help move the baby pekin bantams into it.

Does anyone else find that as soon as friends and family meet the chickens they become just as addicted as we are?

 

[scratch'n'peck]

The handyman who helped us with our run came up with his own nicknames for our roosters and said he gave the chickens bits of his bread from lunch. He was charmed by the chickens, but not quite as addicted as I am.

 

[Debbiesue]

Our first builder named two of our hybrids and now wishes to own a couple of bantams which are the newest members of our family. He has changed his profile picture to one of the hens.

The second builder fell in love with the bantams straight away.

Do you find that everybody loves the eggs and wouldn't go back to shop bought eggs?

 

[lavender pekins]

yep yep totally my dad
YOU ARE NOT HAVING SMELLY STINKY CHICKENS! is what he told me when i got some anyway from my grandad he goes I love the eggs they make my cake taste so much better. The next day i caught him sitting next to the house whatching and talking to them!
He makes me laugh everytime!

 

[Debbiesue]

They are addictive. We started with six, then a year later increased to twenty then added another ten within weeks.

The following year we bought the six bantams and I am already thinking about increasing the flock.

I am thinking about buying some Polish and Silkie eggs when the Pekins become broody although I also want to hatch some eggs from the Pekin girls we have.

I love spending time with them as they are so entertaining.

The builders eat their lunch in the garden with the chickens. As they are going to be with us for at least another six weeks they will be well and truly hooked before they leave.

 

[gryeyes]

My contractor was intrigued by my request to make the dilapidated, three-walled "garage" into a four walled coop. With ladder roosts and a "kindergarten" pen INSiDE it. The auto-door I had him install amazed him.

He has done all my work around here, building a deck, putting a shed kit together, building a pergola, and finally building the duck pond.

He picks up my dominant rooster every visit, just to embarrass him in front of the flock. He asked if he could name one of my newer hens; and he always checks to see if Beatrice is okay with each visit.

One day he told me the Egg Song is really just the hens' way of saying, "An egg fell out of my BUTT! An egg fell out of my BUTT!"

And, of course, he loves the eggs.

He doesn't like it when they get into his work van but he is very gentle when removing them. And he swears the flock likes the music he plays while he's working.

In quiet moments (no equipment running), he has remarked more than once that he just doesn't understand how anybody could believe factory chickens are "okay" in their cages, never touching the ground or able to scratch for bugs or dust-bathe.

And he often brings treats for them.

 

[fishnet1971]

Awwwww that's cool grey! I wish my sh would understand them like that.

 

[Debbiesue]

Hi Guys

The banties have been in the new run for a week now. The first night we put them in the new coop to show them where to go and then after that they started to go in themselves. Everything was going great until two nights ago when they all decided to perch outside on top of the coop. This led to Spike crowing at 4.30 am and waking up the youngest daughter. Hopefully the neighbours sleep a little heavier.

Last night they tried this again so we put them away and locked them in. They then tried again tonight.

I had heard that chickens can stay away from the coop due to red mite however as it has only been in use for less then a week I thought this might be unlikely. Also I covered the inside of the coop with mite powder before they started using it.

Any ideas?

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I don't think it has anything to do with mites. I would just keep putting them in at night for a while and and I think they will get in the habit of roosting inside.

 

[lavender pekins]

I don't think it has anything to do with mites. I would just keep putting them in at night for a while and and I think they will get in the habit of roosting inside.

x2