[Njal]

Today is the day we go to pick up our two hens.

One more thing I need to know before we bring them home - I read somewhere that they should be locked in their house for the first day and not let into the run until the second day.

Is this necessary?

One other thing - I have two cats, and there are plenty of cats in the neighbourhood - will they bother the hens?

Anything else I should know?

[Vember]

I always put mine in the house straight away.
And leave them in for a couple of hours, then I tend to let them out in to a secure area for an hour or two before bedtime.

You might have to show them the way to bed, but that's all part of the fun  

I would never just let them out to wonder straight away, as they need to get their bearings
I keep mine in a secure area for a week before letting them completley free range


As for the cats it really depends on the size of your birds, if they're tiny yes you will have a problem but if they're full grown I doubt you'll have a problem, I have 6 cats and no problems now.
Keep a water pistol handy and if any go near give them a squirt, soon puts them off, I speak from experience  

Hope everything goes ok,
looking forward to seeing photo's later, when you can drag yourself in, I could watch mine all day

Sarah

[Njal]

Ok thanks.
Actually I wasn't going to let them out of the run at all today - still haven't secured all the hedges, etc.

Piccies later  

[Njal]

Posted pics here  now  

[tiptopchickendon]

Posted pics here  now  

The Link say NO!   not working i am afraid

[Njal]

Try it now, think it's fixed.
Something funny going on here today...
PICS

[honeysuckle farm]

Hi

Yeah we took our 4 hens home about 6pm and put them straight into the hen house and kept them there for 24 hours, let them out for a few hours next evening and then back to bed.  It seem really cruel, but is part of the imprinting process we were told by our very knowledgeable breeder.  It certainly worked for us as the hens knew exactly where to go when it go dark and always put themselves to bed!!  We had our first eggs after 2 days!

As for cats we have loads in our area including an almost ferral cat that we adopted.  Never caused any problems and they all steer well clear of the girls!

Good Luck!!