Cue the music , "Getting to Knoooowww You, Getting to know all about you..." Then super high tech feeding and watering stations were installed in the cage (empty plastic tubs with holes cut in them so they could be wired into the corners).
After a little while, the cage was moved into the run for closer inspection.
That's almost-bald Lacey checking them out. She was the unfortunate favourite of the two big roosters.
Here's a close up.
They are good looking birds and are even a bit bigger than our three that we've had for several months now. Nobody has laid an egg yet, but I'm not too worried about that.
Last night, the cage was carried into the coop and everyone shared accommodations. This morning, the cage came back outside, shaded now that it is actually a sunny day. I think by tomorrow, everyone will be well introduced and I can let them out of the cage to roam around.
Ooops, I hit publish and realized I hadn't written about the gardening part. I've been in my vegetable garden today. It is shamefully covered in weeds and grass. Bit by bit I am getting rid of unwanted greenery. I am alternating between standing and bending over, kneeling on a pad, and sitting on a little stool. That helps my lower back from seizing up too badly. Next, I am taking a break from that to tackle the scary barbecue that is messy from last fall and has disintegrating parts. I really want to put some meat on the grill tonight for supper, so a clean up and possibly a part replacement is in order.
Your new girls look lovely & fingers crossed everyone will get a long as part of the flock. I cannot believe the temperature or the humidity! I have one of those benches that can flip to being a seat to being a kneeing pad ... so far today it's been mostly a seat! It's the long awaited treat of pizza for dinner tonight, to celebrate end of Game of Thrones - who will sit on that seat! ... Mary-Lou =^..^=
ReplyDeleteMy stool is just that. A sturdy plastic stool, but I really like it. Sorry, I'm not a "Game of Throner".
DeleteThey have been properly introduced for sure. Hope the next stage goes well. You love your feathered girls!
ReplyDeleteSounds as though your weather is finally a little warmer. Bon appetit
It was a lovely warm day, but then the rains came. Big rain!!
DeleteWow! You are certainly patient and that's the way to do it. Hope the final step goes well. You probably would have had some sign if it wasn't going to. Your pen looks so nice and roomy and dry. Ours is just finally drying out these past few days with a little sun. Before that, 18 out of 20 days of rain left it a muddy, gross, very smelly mess! Pete almost walked out of his shoes many times. I'm so glad the smell is gone with it getting dry! I love the contrast of those white neck feathers on the close-up view.
ReplyDeleteTheir run got a great deal of wood chips put in it when we rented the wood chipper last year to take care of a ton of limbs. That really helps with the mud.
DeleteHope you get some eggs soon. I have one of those little gardening stools that you can kneel on too, they are quite handy.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like the kneeler / stool is very popular. I just have a sturdy plastic stool, and a separate piece of thick foam that I kneel on. They both do the trick. I do hope I am surprised by eggs tomorrow morning, we shall see.
DeleteYou were a little dismissive of the "looks" of brown hens in your last post. Just look at that lovely you photographed, with the magnificent Ruth Ginsberg necklace on her shoulders. She's a beauty.
ReplyDeleteHa! Yes, they do have nice neck feathers. When I said they were just brown hens, that's because I really wanted something more exotic and different than what I've had many times over. I'll let her know she think she's pretty. ;)
DeleteOh, they are such pretty birds! I hope they all get along well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a flock! They are so beautiful -- don't you want to take their photos all the time? I'm glad they are getting on together.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the back and have to do better on protecting it. I did too much on Thursday and Friday and I've been in a world of hurt. Still am (it's never good, but I wrenched it out big time). I just found a cute little garden stool I have to put together today. If you turn it one way, you can sit on it. If you turn it the other you can kneel on it and the "legs" from sitting the other direction are good supports for getting up. I should have done that sooner!
Your chickies all look happy and healthy and kudos to you for taking the time at the get-go to introduce everyone in a sensible manner. Seems to me nearly all animals (fowl, too) will get along just fine if they don't feel threatened and have adequate housing/room to roam and enough food. Doing the intros gradually (not forced) gets good results. The chickens all thank you. Now let's see those eggs!
ReplyDeleteThank you for educating me on how to introduce new chickens to your existing flock. I never knew you'd have to do that. I have to admit I am jealous of all the fresh eggs you'll be getting!
ReplyDeleteHaving never had chickens I wouldn't know this but it makes sense they need a little time before roaming together.
ReplyDeleteOwwww They are so sweet your hens...happy week love Ria 🍀💚
ReplyDeleteI love all your photos! Do you use a camera or a phone? My lower back is killing me and I don't know what I did. Hope yours get better!! Have a great week, Jenn.
ReplyDeleteA nice selection of photographs.
ReplyDeletePleased that the four new hens are doing well :)
All the best Jan
How interesting to get the new hens to meet the regulars. I hope when you put them all together they will all get along nicely. Hope you get some eggs soon.
ReplyDeleteKris
I took the four new hens out of their cage today and let them have some alone time in the coop without the other three. Then I opened the little door between the coop and the chicken run where the three older ones were. There were some moments of pecking and a little feather pulling. The four new ones are young and run away and squawk. But this is all pecking order. With hens it is never an instant "friendship", but no blood was drawn, so that's a bonus.
ReplyDeletegood job! looking forward to more updates.
ReplyDeleteYour new girls are lovely! I'm glad they're all settling in and hope eggs come soon!
ReplyDeleteI can't remember if I told you about the garden bench I bought -- it might be a good thing for you. It folds up and it can be turned upside down. One way is a kneeling pad (and the legs become "arm supports" for getting up, if needed) and the other way is just a little sitting stool -- probably less useful for gardening than the other way around but still useful. I got mine at a nursery center for I think 20-30. Highly recommended!
What a great way to introduce new chickens! It's nearly the same way I introduced Molly into our family - first I had them separated by two baby gates with a gap in between, then I kept moving the gates closer together until there was only one gate and they could sniff each other...and then no gate, while I held her....and now they are the best of friends!!
ReplyDeleteAlways tricky with chickens. They are pretty ladies. Now is the best time to pull weeds. My weeds are safe for now, as they are below 20 inches of snow.
ReplyDeleteThe hens look great! Thanks for sharing! You taught me something, I didn't realize you had to slowly introduce them like that, good job, I hope they are all getting along well now! My gosh...bbq...we haven't bbq'd in ages since we realized in 2017 that mice were using out bbq as a washroom and bedroom...that was swiftly put out on the curb for garbage day!
ReplyDeleteWow...look at all your feathery friends! We can have chickens in the subdivision but I have never had an interest in doing that. More work then I wish to have and esp with taking care of my three dogs, cat, horse and feeding both my horse and another at the barn every night, caring for three barn cats and feeding three pigs each evening. I have enough on my plate right now...haha
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