Cheeky Chickies

At what point did the chickies get so cheeky? We haven't encouraged them into the house at all in the four days they have been with us, but it didn't stop them filing into the conservatory today, without a moments hesitation! Honey, little miss timid, almost made it to the kitchen before we even noticed! Now Cilla is more than happy to 'pop in', knowing she shouldn't really be in the house, taking it one step at a time until one of us shoo's her back outside.
We also have a magpie in the gang - Chocco has taken a liking to 'bling' and will peck anything she can get hold of! Even jumping onto my friends lap today to get a peck at her gold ring! I don't think my friend had ever been so close to a chicken before - she was quite scared. I just hope that Chocco doesnt get close enough to anyone's earrings - that could be painful!

Venturing Out

It has taken them all day, but they have finally dared to leave the coop and venture out onto the patio, they did a lot of exploration and came to see us at the conservatory door - Chocco lead the way, of course! She was after tit bits, namely corn, we might have. Lucky for her it was five o'clock and we gave them their ration for the day. Honey came near but still isn't sure about eating food from our hands.

We are quite surprised to find that chickens really don't like the rain. As soon as it was anymore than a few drops, off they went one by one back to the shelter of their run and coop.

It wasn't long before the rain stopped and they ventured out again. This time all the way to the lawn and the garden. Cilla was quite proud to be the first to find a worm in the lawn and when she realised that Chocco had spotted her, she wasnt sharing! After a little squabble, they ended up with half each!

They have found the garden table too and with a little encouragement, have found their way up onto and also underneath the table - falling, slipping and flapping as they go, they are so comical to watch. Tonight is 'Perch Training' and I'm not sure how much they are going to enjoy that......

Day One!

After a month long wait for our Coop to arrive, we were finally able to collect our new chickens from the farm. They have been with us for over 24hrs now and already we are seeing their little personalities coming through.

First of all we have Honey, an Amberlee, although all our Pullets are around 17wks old, we think she is the youngest - she also seems to be the largest of the three. It wasn't long before she was showing her authority and pecking the other two. As Neil was saying to me 'we always knew they were going to be pecking each other for a start' it doesn't make it any easier to see. Having said that she is securing her place as head of the coop, she is also the most timid and we haven't even been able to stroke her yet.

Secondly, we have Chocco, she is our Black Star, she was quite timid for a start but even in this short space of time she is happy to come and sit at the doorway of the coop to be stoked and to take food from us and also to sit on our knees! We weren't expecting them to be quite so tame so quickly. She is also the most vocal of the three!

Thirdly, we have little Cilla, our Bovan Goldline. She is a sweet little bird who is a bit timid, but will come and eat out of our hands after a bit of sussing us out to see if we can be trusted! Like Chocco, she has had her fair share of pecks from Honey, I think she is going to be the quiet one of the bunch (and who wouldnt be with peck almighty and voice almighty as room mates?!)