Chickens - a quick question

[TheDreamer]

Hello,

We've just acquired our first chickens today from the local animal sanctuary. They seem to have settled into their run OK, pecking on grass within a few seconds of arriving. All are feeding well.

Despite reading a few books on the subject there is one question we are not sure about. Do you actually shut the hens in at night or is it OK to let them come and go from their chicken house into the run which is completely enclosed with netting?

Sorry its a silly question but just something we are sure about.

Thanks

Mark, Michelle and 4 hens.

[katie]

Yes, you should shut them in at night. A fox could break through chicken wire and besides, the chickens will want to roost as it gets dark. They might not know where to go for the first few days so you may have to pick them up and post them through the pop-hole ( or put them on a perch) until they get the idea.(And it's not a silly question. It's not the sort of thing books cover and if you don't ask, you won't know! )

Katie

[Meekle]

We shut everyone up at night.

This stops a fox getting them, it also stops them roosting in the run where they will get wet and cold, it keeps them draughtfree and also warmer as the temperature will raise slightly due to their own body heat.

They are creatures of habit and you will find that once they get the idea they are already in bed without you having to do anything however they are also stupid and will need to be "shown" where to go for the first few nights.

[TheDreamer]

Thanks to everyone for the advice,

The chickens have already learnt where "home" is - when I went out last night to close up after Katie's advise arrived they were already snuggled down.

And this morning we were rewarded with an egg.

We've yet to let them out of their run, but once I've made the surrounding garden a little bit more secure then I'll feel a bit more confident at letting them out.

Once again thanks for the advice its appreciated.

Mark and Michelle.

[katie]

That's good news. Your lot are obviously brighter than my latest batch. It took them 3 nights before it dawned on them where they were supposed to sleep!

[Meekle]

try rounding up a 35lb turkey thats gone AWOL. its only when you look UP into the tree you can just make out the stag huddled up in the boughs of the tree! well, Mr Fox aint gonna get him up there so i have left him till morning!

[katie]

I'm impressed that he could get up there at that weight!

[TheDreamer]

Hello Folks,

Our flock of chickens is growing and we've now got seven of different sorts. And we've plenty of eggs being laid. We do have a couple of hens that we are not sure what sort they are. Is there any chance that someone may be able to identify them? I have attached a picture of them.

All of the chickens now head for the coops at night fall, except for one (one of the pair in the picture). For some reason she has taken a fancy to our childrens playhouse, and she makes the effort to climb up the steps to the top platform, despite having a clipped wing. We have been waiting until she is asleep and picking her up and putting her in with the others. Is there any way we can get her to go into the coop by herself? I'm afraid that she is a target for cats/foxes if we leave her where she roosts.

Many thanks

Mark and Michelle

The Unknown Chickens

Chicks.jpg (160.55 KB) Viewed 387 times

[katie]

I haven't a clue but they're very pretty! Meekle will no doubt be along shortly and he's sure to know.
Can you shut the Wendy House so the hen has no choice but to go to bed with the others?

[Meekle]

ha! no pressure then!

I am not totally convinced that they are a "pure" breed, however, given their blue legs, the top knot and very erect tail, i would say that there is definately a lot of gold spangelled appenzeller about them.

see this picture below as an example

Picture located on the web at http://mangrovepoultry.com/images/Gold_Spangled_Appenzeller_Hen.jpg

Gold_Spangled_Appenzeller_Hen.jpg (68.85 KB) Viewed 340 times

the reason i dont think that they are totally pure is due to the fact that a true appenzeller has an erect top feathering, yours appear to be flat, however they may have had an off day! Appenzeller usually lay around 100 smallish white eggs, usually towards the start of the season then go off lay

we keep the silver version and i have attached a picture below of one of last years chicks at 10 weeks as a comparision

silver appenzeller chick

silver appenzeller chick -2- 2009.JPG (42.22 KB) Viewed 338 times

also note on your birds the feathers are more "laced" with black not spotted with black as in the breed standard, and the cheeks are red, not white. Red cheek patches would suggest to me that these hens are likely to lay a brown egg not white. However, as Katie says, does it really matter as they are beautiful birds, and are just that bit more special looking than th ebog standard "wee brown hen" - shhh dont tell my ex-batts i said that!

i also note that you say that the one tends to like to roost in the playhouse. that doesnt surprise me. appenzellers are very capable flyers and will happily go to a high spot (or near inaccessible spot) just for laughs at bed time. They are just as quick on their feet too so if they get out and make a run for it, put your running shoes on!