Yesterday I picked up my hens and settled them into their new hen house and run. And here are Bluebell, Hastings, Ginger and Moira in all their glory. I chose four different varieties a Bluebelle, a Sussex, a Babcock and an Isa Brown (for winter laying).
The Bluebell and Sussex were what the breeder called seconds because they had been pecked and their tails need to grow again. The Babcock (Ginger) reputedly had just started laying and the other three need another couple of weeks then they'll be ready apparently.
And sure enough this morning there was a lot of excited noise coming from the henhouse and Ginger had laid her first egg!
Happy days.
They look like a good clutch. Your Bluebelle has a very black head – I'm sure the ones he showed me last year didn't have black heads, but I might be wrong. And the back end of your Sussex looks as though it got caught in the lawnmower! Mine need cleaning out again, and they are still off lay. :(
Posted by: Claire Knight | March 17, 2012 at 02:32 PM
Oh hurrah! That's so excitingv for you.
My new hens (we had an earlier flock) arrived exactly 5 years ago today :-) and we still have 2 of them and they still lay well.
Celia
Posted by: Magic Cochin | March 17, 2012 at 03:32 PM
How exciting, well, I'm excited anyway! Those poor tails, I hope they grow back soon. Did they all know each other when you got them?
Posted by: Toffeeapple | March 17, 2012 at 05:30 PM
i have hen envy - I now want some - fancy the black ones like they have in Spain used to be called Vilafranca hens! Hen dreaming...
Posted by: HEATHER TAMPLIN | March 18, 2012 at 10:51 PM
They are beautiful, hope they are all laying soon!
Posted by: Miriam Weaver | March 19, 2012 at 06:59 AM
There is nothing more delicious that a home'made 'egg!!
Enjoy
Posted by: Baukje | March 19, 2012 at 02:37 PM