We started to visit Middle Farm shop when we visited my in-laws and
especially my mother-in-law as we went down very regularly after my
father-in-law died and it became apparent how ill she was. We did our chicken keeping course
at Middle Farm and found John Piles, who has premises on the site, was a
reliable source of Marriages organic layers mash, which is what we have
tended to feed our chickens. As mother-in-law now lives near us we
don't visit East Sussex very often these days.
We were pleased to see this sign
although, to be honest we had rung up beforehand to check that he had some
point-of-lay Light Sussex pullets. Bella is hardly visible here as she seems to be cowering under Anna; it wasn't a question of her being squashed. They looked so small sitting by the counter in the cat basket. We were told they are 16 weeks old.
At home we put them in the ark, once hubby had given it a clean while I made lunch for ourselves and hubby's brother who came down to visit his mum again.
After a couple of hours we felt it wasn't good for Amber to be so exposed, so we put her in with the two new residents. She decided she was going to let them know that this is where she lived and they were not welcome. She pecked at them both, especially when they tried to eat, but has not yet removed a feather or drawn blood. They have decided to move out of her way rather than fight back. Indeed Bella has been cowering under the water container and the feeder at times.
In the end they both went up to bed about 4 pm, an hour before Amber. They seemed quiet once they were roosting together.
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| Anna |
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| Bella |
You can click on these pictures to enlarge them.
Oooh the hen pecking stage, I'm sure it will all settle down soon. Gorgeous looking new hens Karin!
ReplyDeleteIt does seem to have settled down somewhat already. Our daughter particularly wanted Light Sussex. They do seem a pretty breed.
ReplyDelete