The Poultry Keeper

annie · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 155 Location: costa del cambs

let the girls out for the first time to free range today thats if you dont count the one that ran off when we first got them out of their boxes wednesday. we counted themall out and we counted them all in again they were so good and there was my oh saying nothin to do wiv me if you're still tryin to get them in at 9pm. One to us my daughter and i that is she was very excited to see them out and about. No eggs today is that usual? is friday their day off? couldn't answer that one daughter comes racing home to collect eggs and feed titbits.
tryin to put gallery pics together this weekend .

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

some times it takes them a little time to settle in a new home. Also a lot of chickens don't lay every single day, they occasionally take a day off. Just give them a little time. Have you given them apple cider vinegar 2% ~ 10mls to 1 ltr of water ~ that should help them to adjust a ittle quicker
Sorry I think my maths is a little off there, but it's definitely 2% so I think it should be 20mls to litre. Would someone like to correct me?

Knobby · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 8:06 pm Post subject:

Give them time to get used to their new house & new owners ! Soon youll have too many eggs !!! Very Happy

debcat · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 8:07 pm Post subject:

Glad they enjoyed thier day out Very Happy

they'll start laying again in no time, (Hens don't tend to like moving)
I bet your OH will be out there before long clucking over them
debs

stephen · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 8:16 pm Post subject: Re: first trip out

Knobby · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 8:17 pm Post subject:

You have a chicken called Daryl ?????? Very Happy

NannyP · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 8:18 pm Post subject:

it's great when you can let them out and just watch as they discover new bits to scratch in. You'll have days when you have few eggs and days when they're coming out of your ears. I took a dozen to work at the begininng of the week, and took 6 to a firend yesterday, I sent 6 to my daughter today, ate 4 in the week and have 2 for the weekend so far. That's from 4 who are laying, as I have one with chicks and one of the broodies has stopped now. Laughing

stephen · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 8:22 pm Post subject:

nigel · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 8:25 pm Post subject:

and one called Danny, and Ben, and Andy (not to mention Kimi, Sheila, Eileen, Lucy and Carla)

Lisa · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 8:26 pm Post subject:

Yes... even though we make them a nice home from our human point of view, just imagine being picked up from your home and taken somewhere completely different with no warning what so ever. It can be a shock to their system (and stress affects egg production) so give them a few weeks to settle in where you don't have any expectations.

Giving apple cider vinegar, or any of the heath boosts or healthy treats can only help them settle in, as more vitamins and nutrients tend to be used up at times of stress... Other ideas include:

Battles poultry drink in their water
Poultry Boost (vitamins) in their water
Poultry Spice (minerals) in their food
Bio yogurt and oats (pro biotic bacteria and healthy food) as a treat
Any additional greens (for vitamins and minerals)

I'm sure others will have more...

But most of all.... enjoy them and have fun watching, learning and getting to know them Razz

And giving them good names Wink

Knobby · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 8:26 pm Post subject:

No,No....its a nice name.........................for a chicken ! Very Happy

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

stephen · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 8:34 pm Post subject:

Knobby · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 8:35 pm Post subject: