Our introduction to keeping chickens, the high's, the lows and pics of our journey.

[Bens-Hens]

Thanks Pam, I guess I will just have to have my morning coffee under the patio and watch her welcome the world in the morning! We have not seen her leave the nest since she was moved a few days ago, all the food left for her was not touched either. WIll just have to monitor and make sure she shows them the ropes, if not then her understudy can have a run at it.

Joanne, always happy to share my experiences

I can't wait to paparazzi some mum and chick pics

 

[NovaAman]

Oh, she'll take them. Might be a day, but she will. She's just making sure EVERYONE is out first. Sounds weird, cuz you know everyone is out, but she's being on the safe side. When the chicks start freaking out cuz they are hungry, she'll take them where they need to go. You'll have to get her used to you putting your hand under her fluff to check out the chicks if you want the chicks to be used to you checking them out. Mama raised chicks may be heartier all the way round (personal experience) but they are not as friendly as hand raised. It's awesome though that your boys are going to get to see how a mama hen does it. It's even more sweet than seeing them stuck in a brooder.

Love the pics of the King. He's a lovely bird, and now I want the snow to be gone and spring to be here...

On that note, my birds, ALL of them were out in the snow today. I took a few pics with the phone, but the phone camera on this phone... well it sucks. I'll post later... once I get round to off loading them.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[Bens-Hens]

Yes I hope you guys have had a great holiday.

All three were alive and seemly happy this morning, we watched the one BR pop out of her neck and the other from down near her tail. I slipped my hand in there with some feed for Rosie, which she got right into and the two Rocks diving in too, then wandered off to find a drink and the feed nearby.

The 'Lorp did not make an appearance until a little later, but all seemed happy. Had not seen mum get up yet, but as Nova say's, she is in her own little lock down so maybe later today or tomorrow she will get up to stretch her legs

The Coro's seem happier now their step sisters have left their brooder too lol

 

[babyfoot]

That's great news, glad operation implant went well

 

[Bens-Hens]

Apologies in advance...there may be a few too many broody pics over the next couple of days lol.

Seems all is well in the box. Came home this afternoon and Rosie was off the nest, showing the chicks the feeder, hovering over them while they ate. One climbed on her back and Alicia melted hahahaha

A big relief that it worked, now we get to watch nature work it's magic. We are going to try keep contact with them all so they are used to us. Rosie does not seem to mind us hand feeding or being close by so that's a plus.

 

[CB and CG]

Great Result Ben!

 

[babyfoot]

Your hen space always seems so Hygienic and ultra tidy looking. Mine is in the country so always seems full of poo and such even though I clean it daily. Rosie looks like she was made for motherhood

 

[Bens-Hens]

Thanks Babyfoot. Maybe I just take pics before they get trashed hahahaha

I just came in from hosing down the temp run, if I don't stay on it the fly's come in then I get cranky having those things buzzing about.

I spent too much time looking after my spoilt brats lol

 

[babyfoot]

Seems I spend my entire spare time picking up poo, either chooks or the kangaroos. My lawn (if you can call the dried up crunchy stuff I have lawn) is covered in pebbles of kangaroo poo. The lovely grass I put in the chick enclosure has been ripped to shreds in only four weeks by one mother hen with talons that are trying to dig to Sotland. Nothing left, looked so pretty when I did it and I though it was sooo nice to see chicks on green grass instead of only sand

 

[Bens-Hens]

If you can get your hands on a few basic materials, make them a garden box. I started with grass, but also threw wheat and sunflower seeds in there, now who knows what grows in there, but they get some greens without moonscaping all of it.

We had a 3mx3m garden shed where this pic was taken from, so the original bed was up against the side of it. This one is smaller than I would have liked, we had to extend the run due to chicken math. If I find some more timber to suit I would make another.




The timber has some wire stapled to it so it's harder for them to tunnel under it, couple of screws or pegs to keep it there. I had this bit of pool fence I cut to size then just zip tied some finer wire to. If they can reach it they eat it, but the roots stay intact. Could make it as big as your materials allow.

Our currently has buffalo and a few flat weeds in there, I water it about once a week.