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Post by ashley on Jun 6, 2009 17:53:28 GMT 8
Yay! I went to the auction today and got my girls. They were a bit more expensive than I expected but I got caught up in the excitement of it all and came home with 4 pullets. 1 - Sussex 2 - Buff Orpingtons 1 - Black Australorp I would have loved that white orpington and a blue australorp too but we had already blown our budget by then... and call me a newbie, but they are so much bigger than I expected, 4 girls are plenty for now. I did have a small heart attack when a concerned lady told me that they might peck each other to death because I was introducing grown up strangers but I spoke to guy in the carpark and he said I should be ok because they are all being introduced at the same time, there's no established pecking order to break into. They have been together for a couple of hours and are fine so far, so crossed fingers they settle in without too much agro. So, here are my girls, I think the sussex is a bit older than the others. They all came from one of the ladies who was running the auction, so I'm guessing they are all immunized etc, but I'm not sure if I should treat them with anything anyway just to make sure. Yay, I've got Chickens!!! Ash
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Post by Duck Diva on Jun 6, 2009 18:23:42 GMT 8
Hi Ashley, CONGRATULATIONS!!! They are all lovely, you did well. Looks like they have a lovely view from their spanking new coop too!! Their are lots of people out there who will give you advice. Some of its true and some complete baloney Just jump on here and we'll all give you the real deal as best we can. ;D Its correct that when you introduce them al at the same time, they shouldnt fight too much. I'll bet theyve settled in nicely. Keep us updated on their antics wont you? Cheers, Wendy
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Post by Cluck N Waddle on Jun 6, 2009 18:26:37 GMT 8
They look lovely Ash, you must be thrilled with them You shouldnt have too much trouble with bickering because as the guy in the carpark told you, they are all being introduced at the same time so there's no existing birds and established pecking order to deal with. Whenever I purchase new birds I always worm and frontline them, even if the seller tells me that its recently been done. But thats just my 'new bird' routine, everyone is different.
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Post by ashley on Jun 6, 2009 19:05:36 GMT 8
Thanks Wendy, Im sure I'll have lots of questions in the next few weeks.
Cluck, I'm completly thrilled with them, they all look so lovely. Looks like i'm off to city farmers tomorrow to spend up again. Between the cats, the golden retriever and now the chooks, I should have shares in the place by now!
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Post by Cluck N Waddle on Jun 6, 2009 19:27:25 GMT 8
Lol, sounds like you're gunna be one of their best customers
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Post by shea on Jun 6, 2009 19:51:59 GMT 8
they look lovely Ashley, try ebay for frontline, thats where i get mine for a good price.
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Post by horses7 on Jun 6, 2009 20:46:23 GMT 8
As they have come from auction, ths is quite a stressful time, I would suggest giving them some vitamins and probotics as a pick me up, as when they are under stress the natural immunity takes a nose dive and this gives any nasties that maybe floating about a chance to attack, I would also recomend to debug them just in case they brought home a few freeeloaders with them.
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Post by fluffychook on Jun 6, 2009 21:04:18 GMT 8
Lovely birds, well done. I can imagine your excitement.
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Post by Judes on Jun 6, 2009 21:34:12 GMT 8
Well done looks like a nice choice Congratulations.
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Post by granny on Jun 7, 2009 14:09:03 GMT 8
Lucky you, Ashley.. you have beat me to it. I am due to get my Wyandotte hens on Tues and can hardly wait! Was going to call them Winnie and Dotty, (like Duck Diva!)but guess that is fairly usual.. have to spend yet another sleepless night thinking up something original. Any suggestions???
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Post by lakelands on Jun 7, 2009 18:52:23 GMT 8
Great looking chookies Ashley. I bet you'll find yourself spending hours out in the chookrun just looking at them and enjoying their antics. and Granny what about something different like Wallace and Grommet
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Post by ashley on Jun 7, 2009 19:57:59 GMT 8
I saw some Wyandotte hens at the auction, they are very pretty birds! What colour are you getting? If they are Gold Laced ones maybe Betty and Estelle from that old TV show The Golden Girls. oh, and thanks everyone for the advice, animal people are always so nice .
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Post by ladyfeatherfoot on Jun 7, 2009 21:03:46 GMT 8
You could always call one of the girls Brie... cheese with the wine?
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Post by granny on Jun 8, 2009 20:05:06 GMT 8
LOL.. great suggestions, thanks!! They are to be Partridge and are rather nice I think. Maybe will look at Blue Laced next year. Am so excited!! Will try for pics later.. tho my chook house not as grand as yours Ashley... made from bits and pieces, but all mod cons. Friends asking when the air con is to be installed!
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Post by ashley on Jun 8, 2009 20:39:20 GMT 8
I just had a look at Partridge Wyandotte's on feathersite - they look lovely, that feather pattern is awesome!
now... here come the first of my dumb newbie questions! I've done a bit of "googling" and I'm not really worried about anything, but I'm sure some of you might have some words of wisdom.
1 - My girls won't roost, every night so far I've checked on them and they are cuddled up on the floor. Last night I was watching them around dusk and it looked like Queenie was rounding them up and making them sit down (with a few little pecks), she didn't sit down until the others were all sitting. Should I leave them to it? Or do I need to train them? Is that Queenie being bossy? Or mothering? I'm a little offended that the don't like my roost! It's one of the only bit's of the house that I made by my self!
2 - I opened the door to their outside run today and threw some lettuce leaves out there before I left for work, when I got home they were already settled for the night and hadn't touched the lettuce, I don't think thye went outside. Again, do I leave them too it? Or try to shoo them out, I'm worried if I scare them out they won't remember how to get back in later in the day.
3 - I bought some shell grit the other day, it just looks like little round sea shells. Do I need to crush it? They look a bit big for the girls to eat, and do I mix it with their pellets or put it in a seperate bowl?
4 - I looked online for poultry Frontline treatment but I could only find cat and dog ones. Is that what you use? Or do I just need to look harder for the poultry one?
5 - Last one, horses7, probiotics? Like yogurt? Can I give them regular "human" yogurt?
Thanks Everyone!!!!!! Ash
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