Hens Adventure Into the Great Outdoors

It has been a few weeks since I last blogged.

Last time I discussed a case of mistaken identity, which caused me to wrongly sex two of my Welsummer hatchlings. Fortunately, I have been able to rehome the two rogue cockerels on this occasion.

I'm now down to only two hens - Star, a Cream Legbar, and Matilda, a Welsummer. Having spent the last six weeks in my conservatory and then garage, I have really gotten to know the girls quite well. Matilda is calm natured and likes being handled. Star is a bit more flighty and doesn't normally make much fuss when she's handled.

Matilda and Star spend their last night in the garage.

Two nights ago was the girls' final night in the garage before venturing permanently into the great outdoors. They're ready for it now, having piled on an impressive amount of weight and boasting a good set of adult feathers. The girls have been in the garage for the last week or so, getting them adjusted to the cooler temperature before moving them outside.

For the girls' new outdoor home, I have bought a Green Frog Designs Chicken Loft Medium. It is a quality product that I will probably write more about in a later post.

Last night I waited until it was dark and the girls were sleepy, before I stealthily introduced them into their new loft outside. I sealed a drinker and feeder inside with them, just to reinforce the idea that the chicken loft is their new home and a place to seek comfort and sanctuary.

The loft is rather large for two hens, but I already have plans for expanding the flock. In fact my second hatch of eggs has just yielded two more Cream Legbar females, which will eventually end up joining Star and Matilda outside.

Star and Matilda's new home - a Green Frog Designs Chicken Loft Medium.

As you will see in the image above, I have used electric fencing to create a secure enclosure around the chicken loft that the girls can explore in relative safety from predators. There is also a broken old ladder for the girls to play on, as they are naturally inquisitive creatures and need stimulation.

After spending the night in solitary confinement I opened the loft's pop hole to allow the girls their first tentative steps into the great outdoors. The below video captures the moment.