Basking in sunshine

[Oola]

Went out this morning to check on the hens and found them all standing by the fence, basking with the sun on their backs for the first time in days. They seem to like this particular spot as it's a little sun trap and I guess the fence warms up too. I took some pictures (will upload in a little while) of them as they started preening or drifting off to sleep.

I remember seeing a programme where a farmer that kept chickens in a big shed said that they don't like the wind and rain or sunshine. Whilst I know mine don't particularly like the wind, and will only occasionally venture out and get a bit damp in the rain, they absolutely love the sun and will sunbathe and bask whenever they get a chance. Only when it gets far too hot do they go under the hedge where it's nice and shady and cool in the summer.

[jazzactivist]

Aaaah! They sound so lovely, I wish that I had some. I think that you are right about hens liking the sun, as my neighbour's hens come over into my garden and love to bask in the enclosed patio which is the hottest and most protected part of the garden. They go under the bench when it gets too hot. I like sitting there with them listening to their clucking and plucking. If I was staying in this house I think that I would get some hens of my own as your descriptions of looking after yours have inspired me, Oola. But we are definately planning to move this Spring and there isn't much chance of getting another house with a garden as big as this.

[Oola]

They don't need too much space, honestly! Especially rescue ex-batts, they're just delighted with being able to be outside, scratch about in the smallest of gardens. Even if you just have three they'll fit in with whatever you need. Apart from the initial cost of the house (you can get them relatively cheaply), if you sell the eggs (we charge £1 half a dozen which is better than the supermarkets) they more than cover the cost of their straw bedding and feed.

Here's my girls (in one pic Maureen went off to do some investigative scratching under a shrub) dozing off in the sunshine by the broken fence and manky rose!!! Well, Pattie (first pic, on the far left) was dozing and Yoko (at the back) and Cynthia (far right) were both preening their feathers. I think Yoko in the 2nd pic (tallest, at the back, current undergoing a moult and regrowth!) was annoyed that I'd disturbed them with my camera shutter!!!!

[sunflower]

They look sooo lovely. Out of all the fancy hens one can get, I think brown hens are the best. Looking forward to getting my hens!

[jazzactivist]

Your girls look great, Oola, and so well kept. I am thinking about it... seriously.