The Poultry Keeper

debcat · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2005 10:50 pm Post subject:

still think they are both female. males marking are smaller and theres more ot them, also the comb would be bigger by now if alice was rewally al

sorry about the spelling was feeding the lambs

bird_babe · Joined: 20 Apr 2005 Posts: 473 Location: wales

O sorry you look as if you have one of each . the first bird has a lot more white barring in the feathers . But I might be wrong what does every one else think. Question

P.S they look lovely and healthy.

Aussie Chick · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2005 11:02 pm Post subject:

I guess I'll just wait till they either lay or cockadoodledoo!
Alice is a lot bigger than Ethel, I don't know if that means anything. They hatched the same time.
I can post more pics once they are roaming free, hopefully I can get some close ups.

AC

Aussie Chick · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 8:53 am Post subject:

Hi,
Wow, I was online yesterday morning and was out all day so when I came back at 11pm I has missed all the 9 and 10 O'clock excitement! I think I've caught up now and am back on track. Was the chat room good?

Yesterday for the first time I opened the pen for the girls to have a roam in the garden, they didn't know what to do. Alice slept behind a plant pot and Ethel hid in the flower border. This was for about 2 hours!

We had to go out around 7.30pm and I had hoped they would be back to roost for the night, Ethel went in with a little guidance but Alice was so frightened, she flapped all over the place getting thoroughly stressed out. I caught her and put her in eventually.

Can anyone suggest how to prevent stressing Alice out? I would like to let them have another run today but we are out again from 7.30pm. I had also hoped that I would be able to let them have a run in the mornings as well, but catching them feels really mean.

All suggestions welcome.

Aussie Chick

NannyP · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 9:30 am Post subject:

They'll gradually get the idea, and with you gently walking with your arms wide open they'll head for home and what they will begin to see as safety.
Leave yourself plenty of time, so you're not stressed and IMHO hens can do STRESSED very well, and I used to think they were, but really they were doing what hens do well FLAPPING and I was stressed. Good Luck tonight Laughing

grinningchicken · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 12

Here's a photo of my Marans at 7 weeks... the difference between male and female is quite pronounced. Hope this helps.
Btw, I think you probably have two hens, but I'm no expert!

Also, how did you improve the quality of your picture? Mine looks really bad on here!

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

Aussie Chick, as nannyp says leave yourself plenty of time to guide them in with wide arms. You could also use the food incentive. throw it for them in the direction of their run and then into their run, maybe about 7.00 so they have time to be and busy eating. Mine usually wander around the garden until it's getting dark. I got a little worried that a fox could get in to them at that time, so I now throw their treats into their pen about 8.00 and then shut all the doors so at least they're more safe for that last hour.

NannyP · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 2:36 pm Post subject:

Oh and mine often do dummy runs, so sometimes you can catch them all in there before they decide it's too early!! Laughing

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

yes, mine all went in the big door on one side and before I could hobble to the lower door, they were all pouring out of that one ~ I gave up, I know when I'm beaten!

Aussie Chick · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 4:00 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your tips.
I am currently sitting in the garden. I love Wireless!!
I have had the doors of the pen open for half an hour now and the girls are still sitting inside. Maybe I am blessed with chickens who don't know a good thing and my flower beds will stay 'pretty' for ever!!

AC