Before getting on to the girls mash I just wanted to say that I really do know the perches in the chicken shed are now at the right height. This morning I went out to the girls at quarter past seven and the automatic door was just starting to open.
I heard the bump, bump, bump of the girls jumping from the perch and before the door was even half way up the girls were squeezing underneath it just as they used to do in the old coop. Butterscotch was one of the first ones out. This really proves that they can all get down quickly and easily now, including Butterscotch.
I think having the perches high to start with was useful for training them to go in but they are now used to the lower perches and there is no longer any problem with them putting themselves to bed.
It seems to have taken a while to get it right but I am really happy with their shed now and I think they are too.
I only put one large dish of mash out as I know it lasts all morning and although Speckles can’t get to it when the others are there she always gets her share as they tire of it. Emerald never seems that bothered about mash.
Some mash for the girls
It looks very dark but this was at half past nine this morning. It was dark because it was raining heavily and I thought some mash might cheer the girls. Butterscotch is missing as she was laying her egg but I knew she would get some later.
Butterscotch is getting her egg laid
Speckles wants to join in
Peaches only has to look at her
To turn her away
Speckles gets her turn when the others lose interest
I now have it all to myself
Butterscotch soon got her egg laid and had her turn at the mash. By lunch time the mash dish was empty. I love that they find this such a treat when it is only their normal food and I always feel good that I know they have had a good helping of pellets whilst feeling like they have had something more special.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
My hens race to get out first too. Speckles always tries to get out first, and will sometimes land on others or push them away to get out!
Speaking of her, she’s going through a big molt right now! She looks like a naked turkey, and has a bald spot on her neck. Poor girl, I’m tempted to take one of my scarves to her and wrap her up in it! ?
My girls always used to tumble over each other to get out first and it was when they were no longer doing this that I knew they were struggling to get down from the high perch (and not using the ladder as I thought they would), normality is now restored and the morning rush is back to how it used to be.
Your poor Speckles, I know the feeling of wanting to wrap them up in a scarf!
My girls love mash too. Course, you give it to them two days in a row and then on Saturday, you wake up to BAAWWWK!!! We’re UP!!! Where’s our MASH?!?
So spoiled.
I know! How can we not spoil our girls. I give mine fruit in the afternoon and favourite is a bit of melon with some melon seeds which they love and occasional grapes. They look at the container that I deliver it from and if it’s plain old apple I get the voice of disappointment before they accept it and start pecking. Melon seeds are much more prised than apple or pear.