Chicken News!

Sylvia and Adeline

On Saturday we picked up our first two hens.  Two Wyandottes, one Silver Laced and one Gold Laced.  As we are not going to eat them I decided to name them - I'm told it's not a good idea to name anything you intend to pop in the pot!  Neither girl is perfect for showing but that makes them perfect for me.  What I want is to have beautiful birds that eventually will free-range on part of our property - with eggs as a great bonus.  There may even be some eggs to spare - some breeds lay more than others. 

Chicken 'palace' on left, equipment shed on right, and predator proof run.

Up to now the hens haven't ventured out of the coop into the run.  It will take a few days to get used to the new surroundings but they are eating, clucking and getting used to me bit by bit.  I encourage them with a little 'scratch' [a mix of whole grains] which is rather like candy to them.  I need to make friends with the hens - not only because it's fun but also because I need to handle them to check that they are well etc.
Sylvia and Adeline also don't seem keen on the perches but cuddle together in a corner at night - perhaps they prefer it that way - time will tell.  They are both big hens so perhaps it is more comfortable on the floor.

One of the two sets of perches

Sylvia laid our first egg today!

The perches fold away - we only need one set right now.

This morning when I went over to say hello and give them some broccoli and other treats (weeds to us) there was a lot of extra clucking going on.  I could see Sylvia in one of the nest boxes and she produced a wonderful, medium sized, clean and beautiful egg!  The first! 

In a week or so I'm getting four more hens to join Sylvia and Adeline.  Two Light Sussex, one Buff Orpington and one true coloured Rhode Island Red - very dark unlike the commercial hens. 
This is all really exciting.  I'm looking forward to it all!