Sussex Girls Arrive

The arrival of the chickens triggered somewhat of a spending spree. Feeding troughs, bins, feeders, drinkers, straw, wood shavings, wood chips, grit, feed. At the rate we were going the first 6 eggs were going to be costing in the range of £25 each!

Still, we wanted to make sure that we had everything ready. With the arrival of the Silkies Harriet and Lottie, everything was in place so it was with enthusiasm that we set off to meet Julie and Martin Furey of Just Sussex Poultry.

The Furey's are Sussex enthusiasts through and through and we had a great time chatting chickens, chickens and chickens. All their stock was in lovely condition and it was good to meet people with such a keen interest in a breed. We had ordered three Sussex bantams, a silver, buff and light and were delighted to collect them.

The journey home flew by and we couldn't wait to get them back to the garden and into the run. Just to be on the safe side we decided to clip one wing just to make sure there were no speed exits once we let them to free-range around the garden. As ever, after a journey they were fairly calm so holding and clipping the light and the buff was really no problem. The silver, well she was having none of it!

Here we have to make a bit of an admission. The chickens had been named before we got them. Top picture is Ruby the buff Sussex. Next is Margot (say Margo) the light, and the youngest of the three and finally the silver Sussex. Originally named Hilda, once we met her she was so a Cybil!

As you can see from the photos, the first two (Ruby and Margot) were fine. Quick clip of the primaries and a fast check over and no problem. And they you get to Cybil. She is older, though 2008. Very confident but do not touch! As soon as she was held you would have thought her neck was being wrung. For the keen chickenist out there you may perceive the bottom photo as a slightly stressed chicken, head down and beak open. Let me tell you it couldn't be further from the truth. She is cursing like hell and pecking anything within peck distance!

No matter, it took them all of 10 seconds to get over the stress of the journey once they got into the run. We put them into the roosting/sleeping quarters so they became acquainted with the area but it didn't take them long to head out into the run and explore. The joys standing in the feed tray and filling it with as many wood chips as possible seem to be the favoured action, along with inquisitive looks at the Silkies.

So all the chickens now ensconced in their new home, what else to do but spend the day with glass of wine in hand watching them settle in.

The Chickens (are) in the City