It`s been like waiting for Christmas!!!!!

[Anthony 1974]

What a frantic week of run building delayed by late delivery of material and then the wrong stuff being dropped off. A couple of late evenings in the garden fitting my security fencing together, concrete pouring, post fixing and wire cutting! Still got a couple of hours work this morning but then it`s time to go and pick up my new flock and I have to say I can't wait - I've missed having some chooks about.
Will be picking up a Bluebell, Daisybell, Black Rock, Speckledy, Sussex Star (all hybrid) and a Cream Legbar for some blue eggs.
Whilst I have tried to discourage my family from naming them after the sad loss of my last flock to Mr Fox, I fear all have now been given names.
I have endeavoured to build the the run much taller and far more secure than before but think I have managed to keep costs in line with traditional chicken wire and fence post options.
After keeping chickens for 6 years or so with one or two hiccups on the way I am determined to use this experience and get as right as possible this time - no half measures just because it's freezing outside or I've got a party to go to - after all our chickens are completely at our mercy.
I will post pictures of my run and the girls in situ and keep you all posted on my progress with my new flock.
A very excited 38 year old,

Ant.

 

[Chuck]

Look forward to the photos.

 

[Marigold]

Oh that sounds like a wonderful day for you and your family. Have fun, and let us know how it goes. Plus pics of course!

 

[Anthony 1974]

Girls all settling in nicely (despite the rain). All very calm and friendly birds for the most part - none showing signs of being "flighty" at the minute.
Once I'd got them home (in a well vented cardboard box - photos to follow), I put them in the coop for 45 minutes or so in order for them to establish where they would be sleeping for the night - fallen "fowl" of this before and ended up searching round the run for stray chooks looking for a roost.
Names of the girls as follows:
Sussex Star - Gwen.
Bluebell - Eric.
Daisybell - Daenerys.
Speckeldy - Bonny.
Black Rock - Frodo.
Cream Legbar - Merlin.
Already had one egg courtesy of Frodo although this was laid in the run and very small and Merlin has found a nice dry spot under the coop for a dust bath - wasn't interested in my purpose built covered dust bath!?
It's all been a very relaxed afair so far.
Keep you posted.

Ant

 

[Anthony 1974]

Hope this does not go against forum rules but the girls a picked up today came from Warwickshire Chicken Coop, Ettington.
Superb set up and very knowledgeable owner. Birds all well looked after and in good condition.
Well worth a visit - drove an hour to get there.

Ant

 

[Marigold]

Always glad to know of good breeders, Anthony, glad you've found one to recommend.

 

[Anthony 1974]

Day 2 and girls doing well now they have discovered feeder and drinker.
Pecking order being established - Gwen (Sussex Star) seems to be bossing the others with Eric (Bluebell) appearing to beat the bottom of the heap.
Frodo (Black Rock) and Daenerys (Daisybell) are by far the friendliest and have been held quite comfortably.
Merlin (Cream Legbar) is very inquisitive despite pretending to be the shyest of the bunch - was able to stroke her head before she realised she had come too close!
Bonny (Speckeldy) has kept right out of the way so far.
A few handfulls of mixed corn and some meal worms have encouraged them 0 they are crazy for the meal worms. Will keep the routine going during the evening - a handful of each whilst sat in the run with them gain their trust.
Wind breaks now fixed round the side of the run using cable ties (brilliant invention!).
Now off to put the girls to bed with daughter number 2 and encourage them all to use the perches rather than the floor of the coop.

Ant

 

[Marigold]

Who named Eric, Frodo and Merlin, then?

 

[foxy]

Glad you are up and running again with your new girls! 08

Yes echo Marigold comments, we are always happy to hear of recommendations from good suppliers/breeders of poultry 17

 

[Anthony 1974]

2 eldest daughters chose the names Eric and Frodo. My mum chose Merlin.
Frodo incidentally has now taken to sitting on my shoulder when I'm sitting in the run and the other girls are all now becoming more friendly to the point one of us has managed to hold them with the exception of Bonny (Speckledy).
A few meal worms and a small handful of mixed corn and they coming flocking!
I have to say after keeping chickens with a cockerel until this flock, it is far more relaxing and rewarding from an interaction point of view with just hens - the kids are not in fear of being savaged!
Right - getting dark now - need to check at "perched up" for the night.
Will upload photos at the weekend when I have more time on my hands - does anyone know the maximum picture size/number of pictures that can be uploaded per post? 07

Ant

 

[foxy]

Here are a couple of threads to help you upload those photos, shout if you need any help!

http://poultrykeeperforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=5624

This will give you info on photo size in pixels 450 x 300 is recommended...

http://poultrykeeperforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=77

 

[djscorpio]

Hi there Anthony.

I totally agree with the whole waiting for christmas thing - I picked up my girls this Monday. It sounds like you had reserved the birds you wanted that must have been really hard. But it must be really rewarding to be able to start holding them without to much fuss already. I looked up the daisybelle, you have a really nice mixed bunch there. Looking forward to the photos.

 

[Anthony 1974]

Loads of photos but have not yet worked out yet how to post them despite the helpful hints!? I'll work it out eventually.
All girls are now settled in very nicely - even Bonny (Speckledy) has been held and we have had half a dozen eggs all be it very small specimens except one which was a double yoker!
They have now discovered earth worms whilst I was doing some digging this weekend so need to make sure I get my worming plan organised!
My 3 daughters have been to see the girls every day without fail and have thoroughly enjoyed the interaction.
Chickens are ace!


Ant

 

[Marigold]

It's so lovely to hear of a family enjoying their chickens so completely. Glad you all had a sunny day out there with the worms!

 

[Anthony 1974]

Right - try again!
First picture?

 

[Anthony 1974]

And some more!?

 

[Anthony 1974]

More.

 

[Anthony 1974]

Right - pictures posted - hope they are clear enough? Got logged out 4 times after uploading them with comments - bloomin' internet!
Coop is home made from plans I got off the internet. Made from plywood and ondulin sheets. Completely replaced the roof and soaked the whole thing in creosote substitute (still nasty enough to keep bugs at bay!) after losing Charlie and his girls to Mr Fox just after Christmas.
The stilts make access much easier and has provided a dry area for dust bathing.
Security fencing is well worth the investment - I don't think it cost me any more than buying chicken wire and posts and I think will be much more secure.
Would welcome any feedback on my set up or any questions - want to get it right this time!
Enjoy,


Ant

 

[Chuck]

The hens look healthy and the pen and the coop look good. There must be as much security fencing now keeping chickens in situ than around building sites but it is good stuff and very flexible as it can be moved very easily.

I have to warn though that foxes can climb these panels and young ones can get through the larger mesh. I have two strands of electric wire about a foot and two foot from the ground which seems to do the trick.

 

[Lucylou]

The girls are lovely! Your set up is envible too! I lost my first little flock to Mr Fox a few years ago now (doesn't time fly )still not absolutely sure how he got over the fence but anyway. Just wated to say have you dug down below the fencing & sunk it in? I might be stating the obvious but that was something I read a lot about, must be 12/18" sunk down as foxes dig (the barstewards!!)