[jameslindsay]

The hen has now arrived, she is actually a Rhode Island Red Bantam. The reason she was re homed is she was being bullied big time by the others. She looks good and will settle in well I'm sure, she is still quite young we think. She has to be kept in her hut for a few days before we let her roam.

[doganjo]

piccies?  What's the difference between a RIR and a RIR Bantam - smaller?  Might like one or two of them.

[jameslindsay]

I think smaller in size yes, I will get a pic later on. Apparantly her eggs are very small. I was told that if I get a couple of hens in a few days to keep her company, since she will have been here longest she will be the boss so shouldn't be bullied again.

[jameslindsay]

She has already laid her first small, speckled egg, well done her!

[sandy]

Applause!!!!!!!!!!!! My shed is going up tomorrow and and ex-guest is comming to help, he rang me today to ask about building nest boxes and some perch's, I may divide the shed up as I really need some more chickens, I have always loved birds and tame ones are a real treat, I am so looking forward to my Ducks, my Grand daughter has given me some names for them, I just have to choose, see you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon

[jameslindsay]

I e mailed the contact for the ex batt hens and never received a reply. So, I have managed to source 3 Isa Warren's which I will collect on Wednesday. Matilda has settled in very well and is sharing a paddock at the moment with the 7 Pygmy Goats and 2 Rabbits. This morning one of the rabbits went over to check her out and she puffed herself up to make herself look big and had a charge at the rabbit. If only she had been able to stand up for herself in her old home she would have been ok. Anyway the rabbit just ran off un interested and the goats couldn't care less.

[jameslindsay]

The  house arrived this morning and I have to say I am not overly impressed. The way I read the info on the web site the house was delivered assembled but that's not the case and to be honest I think if you want a "substantial" one you have to pay the big bucks. The supplier said it would house 6 hens, I wouldn't like to put 6 in it. As on most cases the more you pay the better the quality. Off to finish building the thing now.

[sandy]

Just what I found, the pictures looke so nice but I think far too small, the nesting boxes were tiny too, mine never use them I just have a run from the back of the hut that is very dry, they keep it really clean and I cover the floor with straw so they mak a nest and lay in there, the other doorway  leads into mytheir garden ad as thewalls around the garden are so high I leave it open although I could shut it. I foundŁ139.00 was too much for a "dolls house" so now I have a large shed, 6x8 and it is great, we have put a spur for the hens to roost in it and I shall put straw and nesting boxes in it, my 3 that I have now will keep to thier little house for now

[jameslindsay]

Have just collected the 3 Isa Warrens and they are now settling into their new home. I am hoping that they will get on with Matilda - the one we rescued last week. Shame it is so wet though.

[jameslindsay]

Just been out in that Arctic Cold and heard a commotion in the hen house. One of the POL hans that arrived yesterday has laid her first egg - in the proper part of the house too. How clever is she, the egg was still warm when I collected it.

[sandy]

You're hooked now!!!! One day when I let my hens out, one ran to where they used to lay their eggs making a funny noise as if she was bursting, she was but she reminded me of an old lady in a sale waving her bag to get people out of the way. I find hens very amusing when you tack time to watch them, I put some bits from the bottom of my freezer into a pan and boiled them up,there were a few small sausages, bits of black pudding etc and when I gave it to them, one found a bit of sausage and ran off with the others following, then they all returned to the rest of the food and the same one found another bit but I watched her creep away so as not to warn the others, funny, they can't be that dum [move] [move] [/move][/move]

[jameslindsay]

I am totally hooked on them. Just been out feeding the goats and ponies and ofcourse spent time with the hens. 2 of them are eating out of my hand already which is amazing as they have only been here 24 hours. They are very entertaining to watch. Last night when I went to put them to bed the 3 of them were up sitting on top of the fence and I just lifted them 1 by 1 - very easy.

[sandy]

Our top bit of garden "used" to have lotsof plants as it has deep boarders, now all that is left is a few hardy shrubs so they weed the boarders, as soon as I get the garden fork out they help me !!!!! they try to get all the worms I turn over, it's funny as they look like they are helping me dig!!!

[jameslindsay]

The 3 Isa Warrens that arrived only on Wednesday have already started taking themselves off to their coop at bed time. Matilda on the other hand decides to sleep on the bench in the Pygmy's hut. It doesn't take them long to learn does it?

[jameslindsay]

The 3 Isa Warrens that arrived only on Wednesday have already started taking themselves off to their coop at bed time. Matilda on the other hand decides to sleep on the bench in the Pygmy's hut. It doesn't take them long to learn does it?

VALUABLE LESSON LEARNT

This morning I went out just before 7am to let out and feed all the animals. As I got to the Pygmy Goat enclosure I heard the chickens and thought that sounds very close. Just at that one of the hens appeared at my feet and I died on the spot. I thought a fox had managed to get into the coop but could see instantly that the door was still closed. I wrongly assumed last night when I could not see any of them that they had all took themselves off to bed - well all except one it seems. I have now learnt a valuable lesson but I am pleased to say she is no worse for her adventure, I dare say she slept in a tree!