Complete novice needing advice

[Words]

I am moving house in October and inheriting two hens. The owners say they would be happier with a couple of other pals, and am happy to accommodate that if need be,

They have a very large fenced enclosure and a separate dark shaded area under trees with coop, presumably for night time? Do I move them from one to the other at night? ( how? Will they potter over themselves?)

What food, bedding, other supplies do I need?

How often does everything need cleaning, and what would their routine be?

When do they stop laying in the winter?

Understand about rats and foxes , and have seen something about mites?

What other advice can you offer?

I realise I need to ask current owners about their peccadilloes ( sorry) but I also would like as much info as possible from other experienced keepers.

Any and all advice gratefully received.

@ScottBakula
No they both taste similarly Delish!

However, news update. They have both completely stopped laying for some days. I've cleaned their coop, they free range... I wonder if they are laying elsewhere maybe. Have searched under bushes and the garden hedgerows.

Also reading up on the dreaded Red Mite, and the necessity for thorough disinfection and dousing the ladies in diatomaceous earth

I am completely amazed by them - laying or not. They both now bustle up the steps between 2 and 3 for their afternoon treat. And to stare down the cats through the French windows. They both now answer to their names. My farmer ancestors will be cringing in embarrassment

@FictionalCharacter Thanks for your advice. Any other will be very welcome!

I sat on the steps with them this afternoon. Their plumage is absolutely beautiful. Enid has this breastplate of copper feathers, shading off to ginger, and Agatha's speckled ness is gorgeous. Of course I don't care what breed or mix they are- just want to learn all I can.

🐓

Ha ha, you have the bug! Agatha is deffo a Speckledy, and Enid prob an ISA whatever, but as you say it doesn’t really matter. People who don’t know chickens have no idea what characters they are.

I can’t let mine free range all day any more because of foxes, but when I had past girls who did, they did sometimes create secret nests and then they all laid there every day. There was a load behind a water butt, and one time I found over 30 in a clump in bushes 🤦🏽‍♀️

I had a Bluebelle who used to fly-hop every day onto the top shelf of an old mini greenhouse and lay her egg in a broken seed tray 🤷‍♀️ She was a complete nutter, it was hardly the most private and comfortable place, but it was her favourite unsuitable nest!

Sorry picture didn't post. No offence to fictional!

Try again

@FictionalCharacter I recon your ladies were just creating a real life Easter egg hunt 😁
@Words time to enrol your dc / gdc / neighbours dc for a Easter egg hunt

How are the Olympic ladies doing @Words ?

Hello @ScottBakula

Continuing to lay regularly- had a fright the other morning though when I thought I had put both to bed the night before ( I listen and put my hand in to check) but there was only Agatha in the coop.

Enid soon came bundling back at 90 mph from the far end of the garden but I was very, very lucky nothing happened to her.

I am glad they are doing well and still laying well.
Lol at a 90 mph chicken, she would definitely win the Olympics .
I am glad nothing happened it's scary when pets going a wandering

How's the world of chickens going @Words ?