Topic: Settling new chickens

[TommyTomato]

Hi.....

I'm picking up my chickens tomorrow and was wandering if anyone had any tips for settling them down and causing the least stress for them .They are both roughly 8 months old and are laying an egg a day...the elderly gentleman who is selling them to me is quite distressed they are going,he has to go into sheltered housing and can't take them   :'(  ,so as you can imagine the 'girls' are gonna be upset as well......I am taking their coop as well,so at least that is familiar to them ,I know it is just a matter of common sense but i just thought I would ask


Any advice would be welcome......

Caroline....

[Philbasford]

I would spend as much time with them as possible, give them tit bits,:).  It will take a night or two getting used to being in a new location , then things will settle down. 

[TommyTomato]

Thank you Phil......

x

[ipt8]

We keep hens and so does a friend at work. He lives next door to a group of old peoples bungalows. When he goes on holiday he has to be very careful which elderly person/s he asks to look after them because they all want to do it.

I do think so much more could be done/allowed in these types of residences for the elderly.  :-\

[TommyTomato]

Yes..that is so true......he has had to get rid of his fish...he couldn't have taken fish?? and his parrot.......I'm sure they would have loved that...

 :-\

[grannyjanny]

When we brought ours home we were told to lock them in the coop for 24 hours & then to let them out in the run.

[TommyTomato]

Ok..

It's like they were always here..lol

They were used to a lot of freedom...so both of them are wandering around the garden and followed my son around like they've known him all their lives,when he went out there,to give them some water ..

Food and water in coop,fresh straw in nesting box.....I'll lock them in later...

All that worrying for nothing...  :o

But thanks for everyones advice....

[cocopops]

I am really pleased that the hens have a new home.  They are naturally nosey so I am sure they will be very pleased to explore especially as they have the added security of their old coop.

I know that they are laying an egg a day at the moment.  Quite often a move can stop them laying for a while, roughly two weeks.  Don't worry if they do slow or stop for a while, this is normal.

Enjoy your girls, they are brilliant fun and nothing beats your eating your own eggs.

[TommyTomato]

Coco...

you could have read my mind.I have just settled them down for the night.they went in themselves and were roosting away...bless....and i thought ''I wonder if I'll have eggs in the morning?''

I'll post an update tomorrow...but thanks for telling me that ,I wouldn't have thought as long as 2 weeks....but I know they will eventually.....

[TommyTomato]

Ive 2 eggs!!!!!

woooohoooo!!!!


 ;D

[grannyjanny]

Happy girls then. Well done :).

[TommyTomato]

Thanks granny..another 2 eggs this morning......don't worry i wil get fed up reporting daily...just a bit excited at the moment...   ;D

[grannyjanny]

You may get fed up reporting but hope you don't get fed up with the joy of finding the eggs. I always thank my girls when I collect the eggs. The neighbours must think I am barmy, nothing new there though ;).

[TommyTomato]

well..to be honest..i did say..''ohh look what you did! ..clever girls''.....lol

i took the first 2 into work yesterday and we scrambled them for lunch on brown toast....the 2 from this morning are in the kitchen..where i can see them.......

i'm gonna be like ''huh?''..when/if i don't get 2 every day.....

the neighbours know i'm not quite right....   ::)

[grannyjanny]

Personally I think it's they that have the problem ::) ;).

[Jeannine]

Just like Christmas every day, I am  really envying you XX Jeannine

[TommyTomato]

 awww....the girls are great..2 eggs every day since i got them..

[TommyTomato]

still going strong...twice  just one egg......but its all good