[CatherineF]

you only clip one side, this makes them lop sided so they cant fly but they can still hop and jump

Ahhh that explains it.  The fencing I've got to enclose my allotment is about 1m high, is that going to be ok?

[helens-hens]

A 1 metre high fence may not be enough to keep them in. Both of mine would have no problem in getting over that and they are not particularly good flyers (and until their next moult still have 1 wing clipped each).

The other thing you need to be mindful about is foxes, if you will be letting them free range when they are unsupervised. A fox could probably get over  1 metre fence without breaking stride! If they are to be unsupervised think about electric fencing, I haven't got this myself but plent of others here will give you advice.

Please don't underestimate the fox. I have yet to see 1 in my back garden where the hens are (she said whilst crossing everything she could!) but I have seen them in the front garden which is on a busy suburban road. Somebody I know who lives close suffered a fox attack a few weeks ago and lost a couple of hens. They are around.

Not trying to put you off but its better to consider stuff like this in advance! Have a great time with your hens when you get them. They are worth all the work and worry!

[Sassy]

Re travelling - they should be fine and I always use a strong cardboard box with some clean straw in - do ensure that there is enough ventilation though as they can get very hot.

re fencing - is it plastic or plastic coated metal. If it is just plastic I don't think it will keep the fox out!

You will get it all sorted and enjoy your hens!

[CatherineF]

They're here and I love them!!!!!!  They are just fasciating and really bring the allotment to life.

The fence we put up today and they have been free ranging digging through the manure spread on the allotment looking for bugs.

We had 3 eggs this morning!!

They said they were getting 3 eggs a day out of 4 hens so there is a possibility that one of them isn't laying - how would you find out which one, apart from the obvious of watching them?

Anyway, plans underway to get more, they realy are fab.

How often should I worm them and where do I get the pellets from that I think you just change them on to for a week and the eggs are still ok to eat?

[daisy1990]

There are lots of signs to look for to see if hens are laying (not all always present!) the combs tend to redden when hens are coming in to lay (bit hard to tell if you didn't see the combs earlier!) they may start to squat on the floor (ie if you stroke their backs they put their bottoms down to the floor) some hens lay different coloured eggs so if you know the breed you can check which coloured eggs belong to which hen (difficult if you have only one breed!) finally when you know your girls you can see they often lay different shapes/sizes, so if you see one coming out of the coop make a mental note of what the egg looks like (or better still take a photo) and you will soon work it out.  Most hens dont lay every day so if you get three a day from four hens it is likely all four are laying but just not daily.

For laying hens they need layers pellets as their staple food (not sure what you have been giving them) and access to grit.  You can give them occasional treats but not too many as they stop eating the layers

Enjoy the girls

[daisy1990]

Just realised you were asking about the pellets impregnated with wormer.  I dont use this I just mix wormer in with their regular pellets as its cheaper (we have eight hens)  I worm them three times a year (some people suggest twice is enough).  You can eat the eggs whilst they are being wormed