Day 2

Day 2

Last thing last night we tried to round the chickens all up and pop them into their coop...

Easier said than done!

Matt (who we bought them from) had shown us how to hold them which is easy, but not how to catch them or pick them up!

This meant that Emma and I spent about 15 minutes, in the pouring rain, running around trying to catch these 4 silly birds!

Eventually I realised that if you just grab a leg / foot and pick them up, they'll flap about but you can tuck them up and feed them into the coop that way. Hopefully they'll get the hang of it soon!

So last night wasn't exactly restful for Emma or I. I couldn't sleep properly and I don't think Emma did either. (I think Emma thought she had hurt 1 of them putting her into the coop but there was no way to tell til this morning). Also, I had closed the vent at the top - thinking it would help them sleep if it was darker but then spent the whole night worrying if they were going to get too hot.
The rational part of me knows it's not possible because there are only 4 in a coop designed for 6 - but that part of my brain was obviously asleep last night!

So, anyway, they were fine last night. All 4 of them made their way out of their coop this morning with no limping or dragging of wings.

Piper has settled. The occasional run-past to see what happens but I think they're used to her now and she's getting less of a reaction every time. 2 barks at them today but no chirping or pawing at the fence!

The cats are fairly uninterested. Watching from a distance but just because they're new I think. However the neighbours cats are far more interested - good job the run has a roof!

The ladies are getting used to Emma and my presence. Even eating meal-worms from our hands! They do a nice cooing/clucking-sound when we come in so i think we should be able to pick then up soon.

At the moment they are far too flighty to get close enough to.

Next-doors children came round to see the ladies today too. A 10 year old, a 7 year old, a 4 year old and a 1year old. They obviously weren't allowed into the run but they stood and watched them for a little while before getting bored and playing with Piper.

Finally, getting the ladies into the coop was much easier today. Once we got Bessy and Mabel in, the other 2 followed. Hopefully even easier tomorrow night...

Days without eggs: 1