Well, we'll certainly get rain! One thing about North Wales is it knows how to do weather, and we're 800 feet up so the season is quite short. Today I got some mesh for the top of the pen - my husband looked at me rather witheringly because he had assumed that I'd be doing that anyway so why even me...

I'm sure I replied to Lisa! Where did it go? Well, I was up at 6.30 this morning - which is the time I usually get up on workdays - between the excitement of getting the chickens and the worry about them escaping from their garden, I didn't get much sleep last night! I'm going to treat the inside of...

Thank you :)

Do I put their grit in a little pot for them to peck at? Will they know that's what it's for? Otherwise, where do I put it - I can't mix it in with their pellets, so what do I do?

My clever husband made this: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Jillwxm/100_3127.jpg http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Jillwxm/100_3135.jpg The little 'garden' around the coop will do for their first few days - I'll post a picture of the moveable run when it's finished

Good news! My girls are ready for me! I'm not quite ready for them so it will be a last-minute flurry tomorrow, to rig up some kind of a perch (the one thing my husband hasn't done in the coop and he's away for the weekend); I also need to find something to put their grit in, and check their little ...

Even with the losses, this is such an encouraging thread. I haven't even got my first chickens yet and would like to rescue some former prisoners one day, but knowing that ex-battys have more than their share of problems I didn't want to start my experience with girls I may lose, or it would discour...

I'm scared to read this! How are they getting on?

That is disappointing. But at least you had a proper look and you know you haven't mur.dered your chicks. Better luck next time.

Hi there, what a great opportunity to talk about my new girls without boring everybody to death! I am getting some Dutch Bantams (kuikentje is Dutch for 'little chicken) and maybe a couple of Friesians too to make up the numbers as the lady I'm getting them from hasn't had a lot of hen chicks hatche...