The problem with getting ex-batts this time of year is that they will suffer with the cold as they generally are very thin on plumage for the first month or three. At the moment they live in a nicely heated barn to make them think its summer all year round. Take them away from that and put them in a...

Taken this Thursday on our daily walk out... http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1219.snc4/155102_451725636523_598356523_5440292_1664212_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs597.ash2/154930_451725561523_598356523_5440291_7211208_n.jpg

Perhaps if you posted where you are someone on here may be close to you, and can offer suggestions or help.

A few more of Sam, taken a few days ago... http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs590.ash2/154278_447168106523_598356523_5382758_7332470_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs970.snc4/76349_447168206523_598356523_5382760_3647029_n.jpg http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/...

Sam...





This is a little like the 'Post your dog photos thread', but more open.

Used to use a large seed tray underneath a home made roofed area, but they used to sit on the top and poo on it, and it took some cleaning. Now i use a round plastic compost bin. I got this free (or next to free) from the council. Just take the front off and they use that as a doorway. Its fully wat...

Great choice of dog.
Sam our Springer is about 5 years old (he was a rescue dog).
Absolutely adorable, but needs lots of excercise and attention.

As 4c lady said, hens will do anything for meal worms (you can buy dried ones from Home Bargains if you dont fancy live), but they will bite your hands off for grapes (i cut mine into 4's). They also love sweetcorn, you can give them this from a tin/frozen bag, or hang a cob up and watch them peck a...

We have 4 hens (2 reds and 2 bantoms) and get 3 eggs a day. I sell them to work mates for £1 for 6, and they bring the egg boxes in for me. As soon as we take them out of the nesting box we write the date on them (in pencil) and only sell the freshest. My hens only eat layers pellets and mixed corn ...

Next they will be offering to butter your buns

I have 2 bantoms and 2 ex-batts, and they 'tolerate' each other. I wouldnt really said they 'get on'. The Ex-batts are bullies, and most certainly top of the pecking order, and are more friendly to humans than the bantoms. The bantoms just do their own thing and keep out the way of the ex-batts, and...

Beautiful clear pictures, which Canon camera do you have? I've got a slr 400 , and a G11 which I use most. My lot see me coming with the camera and wander off! My cat just looks away! I have the Canon 5d mkII. I used to have the 400d, but sold it beginning of the year. Chickens are SOOOO difficult ...

Just got myself a new Canon 100mm lens for my camera, and my first shots had to be of my chucks.
Here is Lucy...

Lucy wont go to bed. She is probably top (or joint top) of the pecking order, out of her and her ex-batt sister and the 2 bantoms. I built a coop and ran, and inside the run i put a couple of thick branches up for them to use as perches, and this is what she sleeps on. She used to go to bed everynig...

Ex-batts have eaten and drank from the same place all their lives, so it may take time for them to know and learn where to get food/water from, that is why she attacked the syringe. You may need to teach her where her food and drink is now. Some (like mine) picked it up straight away. The stress of ...