I got my first girls last week, and for the first two nights my hubby caught them and put them in the coop. They caught on quickly and from the third night they went to bed themselves. No problems since.

jonnybravo wrote: 2 weeks ago she went in to the nest box and laid what I can only describe as like a foetus the size of 3 large eggs,pink/blue in colour.

I would have panicked if one of mine had laid that. Boy, I've got a lot to learn about these chooks. Happy to read she'll be OK.

This is the first I've heard of this. Where did you learn about it?

Why would a supposedly reputable company sponsor this?

Sorry that I can't offer any advice as I'm new to keeping chooks, but I'm very interested in any advice you receive as I am thinking of increasing my flock by a couple. Hope it gets sorted soon.

ps I see you have a Bordeaux. I've known the breed very well for 17 years. Lost my last one last year.

I did wonder if it was from wild birds. I want to do whatever I can to prevent these little blighters taking up residence (makes my skin crawl at the thought of it). I've picked up that DE is used somehow. Can someone please explain what it does and how to use it? I know to put Vaseline on the ends ...

Totally Scrambled wrote:In answer to your question, "Where do red mite come from."

Well there was a mummy red mite and a daddy red mite and they loved each other very much and decided to have lots of ickle baby red mites together.
Dom

Haha.

Someone told me that if you don't import red mite with new chickens, you won't get it. But I've got a feeling that's wrong, after all many laners seem to get it and if it was coming in with new stock I think someone would have realised it by now. So, where does it start from?

I would love some French Wheaten or Copper Blue Maran hens, but can't find any within traveling distance. Not too young growers would be OK too. I'm in Norfolk, BTW, so does anyone know of any?

I grew a bunch from berries I bought at Tesco, after I read they were the new 'Super food' and ended up planting just one. It's been in the ground for about 4 years now and took ages to establish, not a sign of berries yet though. Maybe they need a partner for pollination, but no blossom yet either....

I am certainly not that clever with veg, but I would probably go for spring onions as they come on quickly. The one thing I have trouble growing is spring onions! Winter cabbages, fennel, swiss chard, some carrots, oriental veg, ie pak choi, chinese cabbage etc. can all be sown now. Do you know why...

Is that what they are really called? Do they taste like a cucumber or melon? Interesting. Might give them a go next year, I'm always looking for something new to try.

I'm gonna refrain from giving advice as I'm new to chicken keeping but can I ask, why didn't you just catch them and put them in the new coop?

I have some left over from some kennels we used to have, which held 10 stone dogs, and it's 2" x 2". Perfect for the chicken run. IMO you'd be better off getting a heavier gauge wire than smaller holes.

OK, so Saturday has come and no takers. I'll wait til Monday before I de-net them. I really hate waste!

Just be careful if he does catch you. My friends Silkie cockerel had her and she ended up with blood poisoning. Caught it in time luckily.