Our new additions ....

Well, we have now had them around 5-6 weeks now, so thought it was about time to start a thread at last.

Around 6 weeks ago we bought 4 Pekin bantams from a local poultry sales outlet, after about 4 days, one of them started to look a little run down and one of her eyes was not opening, so we took her to the vet, was treated with anti-biotics and was well again after around 3 days.

Then about a week later, we bought two more chooks, 1 more Pekin bantam and a Silver Laced Wyandotte.

After 2 weeks our Wyandotte (which the kids named Dotty) decided to start coughing blood, so on the last bank holiday Monday, we took her back to the sales place, and was told that she had been poisoned by something (this I do not believe ). I have since spoken to a few other people, and most have agreed, if she had been poisoned, she wouldn't have been coughing blood. I had left her with the place as he was going to give her some anti biotics and then contcat me on the Tuesday to let me know if she was getting better ........... Come Wednesday afternoon, I ask my other half to give them a call, as I was busy working and hadn't got a call. She was bluntly told "She didn't make it", and that was where it was left. I will not be going there again, and I would advise anyone else that asks never to use them also !

The remaining 5 though are real characters and each one has their own character.

I bought a coop/pen from Ebay for £125, and then laid a concrete base down for the coop to sit on (to stop burrowing foxes etc) and then put down hardwood chips. After some nagging, I extended the run by about 3 feet in length and then again by about the same amount, so now they have a fairly decent size run.

Here are a few pics :-









A couple of the Wyandotte :-





The coop with 1 extension :-



And with the second :-



I have now made a lift off roof for the total extended area, so when it does rain, they have plenty of space to move around.

In the time we have had them we have had around 40-50 eggs from them ..... Small but perfectly formed ........ And tastier than any supermarket Free range eggs !!

Hope you enjoy ...... We do

 

They look real characters Nathan, like your coup too with plenty of room.

 

I'm not a "chicken man" but looking at the plumage of the birds they really look fantastic.
Good luck with them!:D

 

There was a lot of work to do before getting the chooks.

I had to replace a 'block' wall between my neighbour and me (behind the coop) with fencing, which me and my neighbour shared the cost of we knocked down and got rid of the old wall and footings, then with the help of my younger brother, we erected the fence. Donna had her shed and fence stain out before the concrete had gone off :D .

After the fence was done, that is when I laid the concrete in front of the fence ...... This is where I used to grow my veg, I have given my space up for crops to have the chickens, a worthwhile sacrifice though

The kids love them to bits, and it is nice to teach them a responsible way to keep chickens, rather than battery etc.

I will add some more pics when I take some more.

 

They are Pekin bantams but the Milles Fleur colouration, lovely colours.

 

Yep, when they hear you about, it is like they are calling to you :D

Donna took some pics today :-











And finally ..... Sun bathing :D :-