Corn on the cob. THAT's the treat they love.
With a small corn cob in my hand they'll happily approach and attack it while I hold it. It's allowed me to get holdof them and check them over. No idea really what I'm looking for but they seem fine and healthy and not (too) stressed by being handled.
They also like apples. I bought a ropbust garden feeder. A sort of metal cage (about 6-8 inches tall and shaped a bit like a banana) that I can put larger items in and hang it from the side of the pen. They attack it with "gusto". Having sat and watched them demolish an apple in a matter of minutes I am glad that those beaks are not turned on me though.
Omlet tell me my new 25m fencing should be delivered in a few days which will mean it's easier for me to let them roam about a bit. A bit expensive for what it is (I think) but all I've read says it's a good product - I'll let you know.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Thursday 20th March : Two weeks in
Not much to report really. All appears to be well.
I've not yet been able to, safely, let them roam free in the garden. after a bit of discussion on various forums and some investigation, I'm going to buy the Omlet 25m netting so I can coral them in a specific area (saves me having to block my driveway etc etc). Hope it will arrive soon - then we'll see.
Had a couple of experiments during this last week as well.
Experiment One : Treats.
I'd read, before getting the chickens, that they are very partial to treats such as grapes.
I went out and bought some grapes and tried to coax one of the chickens to come to me and take one. None were remotely interested. Thinking they were nervous of ME I just dropped the grapes on the ground and left them to it. Two days later all the grapes were still there. They clearly don't want them.
Experiment Two : Night Time Routine.
Since getting them, I had always closed the Cube door each night after the chickens had settled inside for the night. Each morning, as I left for work, I would open it up again and they'd trot out.
In a while, I will be away for a night so wondered what was best to do. The members of the Omlet Forum advised that they would be fine with the door open in fact many people don't seem to ever close the door unless the weather is particularly cold.
I tried leaving the door open a few nights ago with no ill effects.
A success.
I will continue to close the door most nights just for safety's sake.
I've not yet been able to, safely, let them roam free in the garden. after a bit of discussion on various forums and some investigation, I'm going to buy the Omlet 25m netting so I can coral them in a specific area (saves me having to block my driveway etc etc). Hope it will arrive soon - then we'll see.
Had a couple of experiments during this last week as well.
Experiment One : Treats.
I'd read, before getting the chickens, that they are very partial to treats such as grapes.
I went out and bought some grapes and tried to coax one of the chickens to come to me and take one. None were remotely interested. Thinking they were nervous of ME I just dropped the grapes on the ground and left them to it. Two days later all the grapes were still there. They clearly don't want them.
Experiment Two : Night Time Routine.
Since getting them, I had always closed the Cube door each night after the chickens had settled inside for the night. Each morning, as I left for work, I would open it up again and they'd trot out.
In a while, I will be away for a night so wondered what was best to do. The members of the Omlet Forum advised that they would be fine with the door open in fact many people don't seem to ever close the door unless the weather is particularly cold.
I tried leaving the door open a few nights ago with no ill effects.
A success.
I will continue to close the door most nights just for safety's sake.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Thursday 13th March 2008 : A week in
Well the first week of the new chickens has gone. They have settled well, getting used to me letting them out of their EGLU house each morning and having a good old "bruk bruk" around to let me know they are well.
This weekend, weather permitting, I'll give them the run of the garden for a few hours.
without any scrapping, as far as I have seen, they seem to have sorted out who the boss is. The Miss Pepperpot (known now as "Chilli") is a few weeks older than the other two (named by the kids as "Twiglet" and "Gypsy") and a little bigger. She definitely is in charge.
Each night, the two Gingernuts go up into the house first, Chilli (named for the Chilli Pepper rather than any meat dish of course) has a good old look around in the "cage", hops up into the "house" for a look around then down again for a final check before finally jumping up and settling for the night. Woe betide anyone who tries to shut the house door before she's finished her final checks. She will push her way out and cluck away to herself just like an old lady who has been disturbed in her garden. Once she's satisfied that all is well, she settles quickly.
All three seem to snuggle up into one corner of the house though the spread of muck in the trays suggests they move around quite a lot.
I've got shredded paper in the nest box area (no eggs yet of course - another 2-3 weeks before we are likely to get any apparently). Not seen any of them get in there yet and paper looks clean still.
Each morning when I open the door, Chilli's head is the first out. She hops/flutters down and has a wander around then, as if signalled, the other two follow her after a few seconds. Brilliant start to my day watching that.
This weekend, weather permitting, I'll give them the run of the garden for a few hours.
without any scrapping, as far as I have seen, they seem to have sorted out who the boss is. The Miss Pepperpot (known now as "Chilli") is a few weeks older than the other two (named by the kids as "Twiglet" and "Gypsy") and a little bigger. She definitely is in charge.
Each night, the two Gingernuts go up into the house first, Chilli (named for the Chilli Pepper rather than any meat dish of course) has a good old look around in the "cage", hops up into the "house" for a look around then down again for a final check before finally jumping up and settling for the night. Woe betide anyone who tries to shut the house door before she's finished her final checks. She will push her way out and cluck away to herself just like an old lady who has been disturbed in her garden. Once she's satisfied that all is well, she settles quickly.
All three seem to snuggle up into one corner of the house though the spread of muck in the trays suggests they move around quite a lot.
I've got shredded paper in the nest box area (no eggs yet of course - another 2-3 weeks before we are likely to get any apparently). Not seen any of them get in there yet and paper looks clean still.
Each morning when I open the door, Chilli's head is the first out. She hops/flutters down and has a wander around then, as if signalled, the other two follow her after a few seconds. Brilliant start to my day watching that.
6th March 2008 : Second Night
I am delighted to say that all three chickens have impressed me by getting themselves into the "house" before I got home from work so all I had to do was lock them safely in. No more slithering and sliding around in poop for me - for now.
5th March 2008 : First Night
On arrival, the delivery guy had mentioned that, for the first night, the chickens may not be too happy going up the ladder to roost overnight and might need a hand.
He had also explained, at length, how secure the "cage" is from predators.
The mesh "cage" is secured in such a way to the "house" that it is impossible for humans, let alone predators, to get into without tools and mostly dismantling the "house".
Obviously there is a doorway for them to use when they are allowed out to roam.
So I arrived home, nearly dark. They are happy enough but, even though it's almost dark, showing no sign of going "indoors" so I decide to give them a helping hand.
I opened the outer doorway and discovered it is about 18 inches wide and not much taller. Big enough for a chicken but not really designed for a, let's be honest, slightly overweight human.
My eleven year old son, good lad that he is and massive animal lover (all animals seem to like him instinctively), said he would go in and round them up. He crawled through relatively easily.
Chickens immediately made their way to the back of run (the bit under the house). My son was too big to get under the house, a little nervous of crawling under there with three vicious (?) chickens and his arms were not long enough to reach them. He tried manfully (or should that be boyfully) for a few minutes but I was getting worried that the chickens might be getting stressed so I finally got him to come out.
So now I have no choice. It's either totally dismantle the entire thing or get in there. No way I was going to dismantle it and even if I did, I'd end up with no house to put them in as it would be in parts.
So, on my knees and belly (not a pretty sight) I managed to JUST squeeze through the doorway. Had to literally drag myself into it.
Finally got all of me in and kneeling up I could just (JUST) reach them. I got hold of them one at a time and put them in the house. Some clucking and disgruntlement but no panicking or flapping about so I considered it a success.
Got the "house" door shut so they are all safe, now time to get out.
One thing (the other comes later) that I had NOT taken into account was that to slide IN, I had to lie prone and drag myself in. Unfortunately, I found it almost impossible to lie prone INSIDE the run. Using all sorts of movements that someone my age should avoid, I finally managed it and dragged myself out with my chest, belly, groin and knees on the floor and my kids shouting words of encouragement and useful things like "mind your back".
Finally out (it was a struggle) I stood up, turned around and closed the outer door. Done. Phew.
Now to the second thing I had not taken into account.
Three chickens had spent all day wandering around in the pen. As they do, they had been pooping all over the place. I had just successfully dragged myself, twice, through 3 "chicken-days" worth of poop.
I was covered. I looked (and smelled) like the swamp monster from chicken-ville.
My arms (where I'd been dragging myself), my chest down to my knees, my backside and shoes were caked in muddy poop.
My son laughed for about 20 minutes non-stop. Somehow he had managed to stay clean during his foray into the "land of the chickens".
Given the advice from the delivery guy that they may need a helping hand into the "house" for the first night "or two", I am expecting to have to do the same again. Cannot say I am looking forward to it.
He had also explained, at length, how secure the "cage" is from predators.
The mesh "cage" is secured in such a way to the "house" that it is impossible for humans, let alone predators, to get into without tools and mostly dismantling the "house".
Obviously there is a doorway for them to use when they are allowed out to roam.
So I arrived home, nearly dark. They are happy enough but, even though it's almost dark, showing no sign of going "indoors" so I decide to give them a helping hand.
I opened the outer doorway and discovered it is about 18 inches wide and not much taller. Big enough for a chicken but not really designed for a, let's be honest, slightly overweight human.
My eleven year old son, good lad that he is and massive animal lover (all animals seem to like him instinctively), said he would go in and round them up. He crawled through relatively easily.
Chickens immediately made their way to the back of run (the bit under the house). My son was too big to get under the house, a little nervous of crawling under there with three vicious (?) chickens and his arms were not long enough to reach them. He tried manfully (or should that be boyfully) for a few minutes but I was getting worried that the chickens might be getting stressed so I finally got him to come out.
So now I have no choice. It's either totally dismantle the entire thing or get in there. No way I was going to dismantle it and even if I did, I'd end up with no house to put them in as it would be in parts.
So, on my knees and belly (not a pretty sight) I managed to JUST squeeze through the doorway. Had to literally drag myself into it.
Finally got all of me in and kneeling up I could just (JUST) reach them. I got hold of them one at a time and put them in the house. Some clucking and disgruntlement but no panicking or flapping about so I considered it a success.
Got the "house" door shut so they are all safe, now time to get out.
One thing (the other comes later) that I had NOT taken into account was that to slide IN, I had to lie prone and drag myself in. Unfortunately, I found it almost impossible to lie prone INSIDE the run. Using all sorts of movements that someone my age should avoid, I finally managed it and dragged myself out with my chest, belly, groin and knees on the floor and my kids shouting words of encouragement and useful things like "mind your back".
Finally out (it was a struggle) I stood up, turned around and closed the outer door. Done. Phew.
Now to the second thing I had not taken into account.
Three chickens had spent all day wandering around in the pen. As they do, they had been pooping all over the place. I had just successfully dragged myself, twice, through 3 "chicken-days" worth of poop.
I was covered. I looked (and smelled) like the swamp monster from chicken-ville.
My arms (where I'd been dragging myself), my chest down to my knees, my backside and shoes were caked in muddy poop.
My son laughed for about 20 minutes non-stop. Somehow he had managed to stay clean during his foray into the "land of the chickens".
Given the advice from the delivery guy that they may need a helping hand into the "house" for the first night "or two", I am expecting to have to do the same again. Cannot say I am looking forward to it.
5th March 2008 : Arrival
It's a fine Wednesday morning and those nice people at OMLET have promised to deliver my EGLU CUBE and three chickens some time in the morning. Sure enough, about 9am a van turns up driven by a very pleasant chap. In the back of the van he has a number of EGLU CUBEs and in no time he is putting everything together in the garden for me. I didn't have to lift a finger (except to make a cup of tea).
For those who do not know what an EGLU CUBE is, here is a pic (from their website, not my garden).
About an hour later, it's all done. He spends a few minutes taking me round it explaining how everything works and then we go to get the chickens. I have ordered three Gingernut Rangers but he gives me the opportunity to have a mix of breeds and, after a moment thinking about how I will identify an individual when they are all alike, I accept. I'm ow the proud owner of two Gingernut Rangers and one Miss Pepperpot. Pictures will, of course, follow.
I'm shown how to hold them properly and then I'm shown how to clip the wings (the guy actually did the clipping, I just watched - this time). Seems a bit brutal at first but it's clear that it causes no discomfort to the chickens who barely even notice it is being done.
They are then deposited in the "cage" and immediately start scratching around and clucking contentedly.
Without wishing to appear as an advert for any company, let me say here how impressed I am with OMLET. They delivered everything they promised, on time, high quality product (though not exactly cheap) and everyone I have spoken to at the company has been very pleasant and helpful. When they include chickens in the "package", as with me, they also include enough food to last several months (it looks to me).
If I have one word of caution for any prospective purchaser (and it's not a gripe, just a suggestion), I would make sure you have an old, clean, sealable plastic dustbin (or similar) as the bag of feed is fairly large and obviously must be kept dry. I didn't, stupidly, consider this but was able to rustle something up.
For those who do not know what an EGLU CUBE is, here is a pic (from their website, not my garden).
About an hour later, it's all done. He spends a few minutes taking me round it explaining how everything works and then we go to get the chickens. I have ordered three Gingernut Rangers but he gives me the opportunity to have a mix of breeds and, after a moment thinking about how I will identify an individual when they are all alike, I accept. I'm ow the proud owner of two Gingernut Rangers and one Miss Pepperpot. Pictures will, of course, follow.
I'm shown how to hold them properly and then I'm shown how to clip the wings (the guy actually did the clipping, I just watched - this time). Seems a bit brutal at first but it's clear that it causes no discomfort to the chickens who barely even notice it is being done.
They are then deposited in the "cage" and immediately start scratching around and clucking contentedly.
Without wishing to appear as an advert for any company, let me say here how impressed I am with OMLET. They delivered everything they promised, on time, high quality product (though not exactly cheap) and everyone I have spoken to at the company has been very pleasant and helpful. When they include chickens in the "package", as with me, they also include enough food to last several months (it looks to me).
If I have one word of caution for any prospective purchaser (and it's not a gripe, just a suggestion), I would make sure you have an old, clean, sealable plastic dustbin (or similar) as the bag of feed is fairly large and obviously must be kept dry. I didn't, stupidly, consider this but was able to rustle something up.
Monday, March 10, 2008
In The Beginning
Ever had a fresh egg? Ever seen a really yellow yoke? Ever thought that "this egg tastes the way eggs used to"?
I have.
I have also tried and tried to find some way of getting such "wonders" in every kind of shop from supermarket to corner shop (and everything in between).
Now I've cracked it (no pun intended).
I've decided to get some chickens of my own.
I've read a number of other people's blogs before making the final decision as well as reading loads of other good websites (I'll add some links to all of this when I get around to it) and, possibly the best idea of all, I've spoken to someone who keeps a few chickens themselves, in their back garden just as I want to.
This blog will act as a reminder to me, hopefully be a little entertaining and may even inform some other intrepid searcher of fine eggs in the future.
I have.
I have also tried and tried to find some way of getting such "wonders" in every kind of shop from supermarket to corner shop (and everything in between).
Now I've cracked it (no pun intended).
I've decided to get some chickens of my own.
I've read a number of other people's blogs before making the final decision as well as reading loads of other good websites (I'll add some links to all of this when I get around to it) and, possibly the best idea of all, I've spoken to someone who keeps a few chickens themselves, in their back garden just as I want to.
This blog will act as a reminder to me, hopefully be a little entertaining and may even inform some other intrepid searcher of fine eggs in the future.
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