The first few days of keeping chickens - We panic, they don't !

The Chickens are Home - What now !

The excitement has been building up for days. The House, feeding trays, water containers are all in place and the food is purchased.
Suddenly, they're there and what 99% of all new Chicken Keepers do is to watch them, for hours. All day long you'll be checking and watching them 
Should they be doing this, should they be doing that? etc.!

Darkness falls and you're up there again, torch in hand listening closely at the door. There's a bit of clucking, the occasional flapping of a wing, all is well - or is it !!

The next morning you're up at some ridiculous hour and without even touching a cup of Coffee will be up there checking to see if they haven't escaped during the night and to see if there's an egg there (not gift wrapped of course!).

I'll tell you now, this is quite normal. Mad maybe, but normal !

Things to remember are that there's a strong possibility your Chickens haven't met before, especially from a Battery Farm.
This means there may be some squabbles and a period of time where they're sorting out the pecking order. This normally takes a few days before settling down. See 'Introducing New Chickens to the Flock

You will find they may lay eggs for a couple of days, then stop. This is due mainly to the change of scenery and diet. Don't worry.
Even when the eggs arrive, some may have soft shells. Every Chicken lays the occasional one. If it persists, try giving them some Grit.

Some newbies may not sleep on the Perches. Some may not lay in the Nest Box (mine haven't ever!!).
Let them do their thing and they'll be OK. The more natural they can be the better.

Overall, the first few days and weeks are a learning process - for us, not for them!

The Down the Lane Forum is full of Members who have recently got Chickens as Pets and most of your worries or concerns will be in there somewhere

If ever in doubt about your Chicken's health, seek medical opinion. But before you take one to the Vet, phone them first. Not all Vets are, what we seasoned ones say "Hen Friendly". Not they don;t like them, it's they're not trained specifically in the Avian field.

Keeping Chickens

Rather than just taking photographs, why not start a Web site or Blog about your journey with Chickens?
There are many easy to build Blog software programmes and the likes of Google will get you going for free.
I started this web site off in a similar way. 500 pages later....!

Not a moment will go by where you're not observing something new and taking down notes!
Ex-Battery Hens are very inquisitive of their new surroundings....