[richyrich7]

Right that's it then, no big neck stretch please, so will choose carefully
That leads me to another question, how long do chucks produce eggs and how long do they live? can see myself with a load of old wrinkleys with bi-focals  :roll:

I think they live for a number of years between 5 -10+ years, laying less egg's each laying season.

[new chooks]

Well guess will just try it out while we are around to watch and save the chucks if necessary, we have a dwarf lop, she doesn't seem to scary, but it will be all females in together so who knows  

[richyrich7]

but it will be all females in together so who knows  

Asking for trouble then    

[GrannieAnnie]

You'll also find as your old hens get older that their eggs will get bigger, with sometimes wrinkly shells and sometimes thinner shells, but the eggs are still fine!

That's why the supermarkets don't want their eggs anymore and they are replaced by younger models!!  But you enjoy them and I hope they do well for you.

[new chooks]

Just wanted to let you all know that we picked up our chooks at and got them safely installed in their run, that was until I let the dog out, whoops first mistake! She charged down the garden to greet our new arrivals, that's when I discovered Chooks do fly
So dog was shut away and chooks soon captured and back in their run. Next time Bramble our dog was intruduced on the lead and now everyone is good friends.
The Chooks were Warrens and chap was selling about 80, he said he was just refreshing his stock, they seem nice and healthy and calm and friendly so hope they are Ok.
Best news is we got our first egg Mon morning with two more today  We have also had 1 egg with half formed shell so with information from this site we have bought some oyster shell so will see if that works.
 :?: One question would the move upset their laying and is it still early in the season for them to be laying? We are just really pleased we have got any eggs didn't really expect them yet.
 :?: The first night they thought the apple tree was much better to roost in and had to be ecouraged into their new house but now they take themselves to bed good as gold.
Another question, they all squash into the two nest boxes rather than using the perches, is this normal or are they all just extra lovey dovey?  :shock:  We love them already, just waiting to get to know them a bit more before we name them

[Selkie]

Glad you got your new hens ok - they sound fab, and congrats on your first egg!

My two never go up on their perch :roll: I tried 'training' them but they would fall off or do the splits when I'd put them up on it so I've given up...

[new chooks]

Thanks for that Selkie, can't blame them, who wants to sit on a cold draughty perch when you got a nice warm nest to get cozy in!  

[richyrich7]

Block up the nest boxes at night, then when they have settled, quietly and calmly put them on their perch, after a few nights they soon get used to it.
Remember birds do 2/3 rds of their poo last thing at night as they are roosting, you don't want them sleeping in it or on your eggs.

Yes moving them can unsettle their laying pattern so can frights, loud bangs.

[new chooks]

Thanks Richy will try that. Didn't know they did most of their pooping at night but they do look cozy in their nests  

[richyrich7]

but they do look cozy in their nests  

   they do ours sometime sit laying eggs together during the day  :roll:  and one likes to get everyone else's and make them all neat and tidy with a few feathers around them, then some rotter takes them all  

[Selkie]

when they have settled, quietly and calmly put them on their perch, after a few nights they soon get used to it.

 :roll: Unless you have my two who can't get the knack of perching at all and fall off :roll:

Peter put some new pieces of wood in their run for them and Dora spends alot of time PERCHING on it - on one foot!! How come she can do that but refuses to use her own perch :x

[richyrich7]

when they have settled, quietly and calmly put them on their perch, after a few nights they soon get used to it.

 :roll: Unless you have my two who can't get the knack of perching at all and fall off :roll:

Peter put some new pieces of wood in their run for them and Dora spends alot of time PERCHING on it - on one foot!! How come she can do that but refuses to use her own perch :x

   cause they got you sussed as a soft touch Rosie

[Selkie]

:roll: I'm sure she does it to taunt me :?