I think I've cracked it

[cherrycoop]

My chicken keeping adventure started about 18 months ago - out of 24 mixed bantam eggs I got 4 RIRs which turned out to be 2 hens and 2 cockerels. Managed to re home 1 cockerel, and one of the hens was found dead in their overnight pen. The biggest challenge has been feeding them as until quite recently there has not been chicken feed available on the island, and the supply is very sporadic. They free ranged very happily, when the hen started laying I eventually found that I had an egg eating boxer! So from these two RIRs I have reared several batches of chicks, the oldest hens are 30 weeks now and today I got 8 eggs from 9 hens - so very pleased especially as it is very hot at the moment with temperatures of 30C plus most days. They no longer free range unfortunately because I would never find any eggs, plus after rescuing feisty Mr Tikka from the swimming pool twice now they are penned for their own safety. I never thought chicken keeping could be so addictive! Now I wonder what breed to try next?

 

[Marigold]

Hi Cherry, wonderful to hear from you after a while. I'm glad the chicken keeping is going so well out there in the Seychelles. Maybe 30C would be a bit much for me (and my hens) but we could sorely do with some sunshine here in the UK. where we've just had the coldest March for many years, with strong NE winds and much snow, extending into April with hardly any signs of new grass and those warm Spring days our chickens all need. I expect your family back here have all been moaning about it to you.
Did you ever manage to get any quails? I remember that last year you were trying to source some new breeding stock or eggs.

 

[Chuck]

Good to hear from you again. Seems you're doing well. There should be left over fruit, rice etc. which is all good stuff and they are happy to eat most things.

 

[cherrycoop]

I was trying to get some quail eggs but the timing was not good. Hope to be in UK in July and will see if I can source eggs then. I count my blessings that so far I have been lucky with my chickens, apart from one hen dropping dead - and I have my suspicions this was caused by stress, boxer pup at the time was looking for something to play with - they are generally very healthy and despite their varied diet all look in good condition. The eggs are lovely and unlike the local eggs do not taste of fish! This forum has been such a great help to me