Today we replaced the tarpaulin over the triangular part of the chicken run. It had become brittle and cracked and was letting in water. The job seemed much easier this time maybe because it’s not the first time we have done this. It’s supposed to rain all day tomorrow so we were pleased to get this done today. A good job done.
This morning when I poop picked the chicken shed I had Rusty and Freckles keeping me company as they do every morning, but this time, they jumped from their bedtime perch to the bigger girl’s perch, to get on eye level with me. I have never seen them do this before. I happened to have my camera in my pocket.
My little helpers this morning
A few times today Dandelion had a little scratch around and a sit down in the little coop. I wonder if she is getting ready to lay an egg. She has stopped dropping long feathers and the pins in her head are just beginning to open. It will be good to see her with head feathers.
Dandelion looked like she was thinking about laying an egg
The new girls made some progress today. I have put them in the bigger part of the run a few times and they just run straight back to their home part of the run but today they ventured out on their own. Maybe they just needed to discover it for themselves. A few times today they were hanging out on the other side of the wire from the main flock.
They were all hanging out together without any aggravation so maybe they are now getting used to each other. The main flock were all lined up on the log.
Six girls in a row
I love this line up
I love seeing them like this. The new girls were on the other side of this line up but didn’t stay there for me to take photos.
It’s been a week today since we collected the new girls. They had been in Dave’s shed for six months so it’s not surprising that it’s taking them time to get used to this change in environment. That’s why I am taking my time and letting them grow in confidence first.
It’s taken them three days to venture out into the bigger part of the run on their own. I am really pleased with how they are settling in. I know we will get there in time.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
Lovely picture of all the girls in a line,also of the two little girls on the high perch.
It’s been a really good day today, I am pleased we are finally making progress. I loved seeing the girls all in a line and it was funny when the two little girls jumped to the perch beside me this morning.
I have just taken some photos of Apricot’s new trick. She can now get on top of the little coop. Photos for tomorrows post.
Lovely photos. Looks like Cinnamon and Freckles testing each other out, through the wire. I’ve spent 3 hours in the hen run today and am really pleased with what I’ve achieved – and delighted to see the girls back out in their main run: fortunately, we’re in a ‘low-risk’ area.
Cinnamon is the one of these three that is always up against the wire with her tiny ruff raised. She has gone up against each of the original flock at different times. I think she will probably be bottom girl because I remember Speckles being like this and then ending up bottom. Apricot is laid back as was Butterscotch so whereas I originally thought she may be bottom I now think she will end up above Cinnamon. I think she will fit in the easiest with the rest of the flock. Cinnamon is also the most nervous if I am doing things in the run, like putting up the tarpaulin.
You must have achieved loads in your run in that time and should be pleased. A beer or wine is probably well deserved.