Eating out of my hands

Egg update: 

3 more yesterday.  Price per egg down to £65.16.

The eggs are amazing.  We were expecting the bright yellow, very rich yolks but the whites came as a surprise.  So much flavour.  Egg white is usually bland, but this is delicious.  Might have to make some meringues.

Two of them are producing very thin shelled eggs that crack a little too easy, but hopefully that'll change with their improved diet.  The third egg was very solid.

Gradually getting tamer

Well, at least two of them are.

We've been giving them corn as a treat when we let them out in the evening.  We put it in a Tupperware box and rattle it as we walk out of the house so that they can start to associate the sound with freedom and nice food.

Norma

Mostly we just scatter some on the ground, but we're trying to use it to tame them too.  Monday night we tried holding the box out to see who would take it.  Only Norma was brave enough, or maybe greedy enough, to take some while we were holding the box.  She even put up with us stroking her as she ate.

Last night, I picked Norma up, put her on my lap and offered her the box of corn.  She was happy to eat and kept going when I let go of her.  When I took the corn away, she stayed around for a few more seconds before hopping down to find more food.  It was nice being able to give her a little cuddle and it gave me a good chance to check her over.  Her wing feathers are just as thin as the ones on her tail and she's got a bald patch on her chest to go with the head and baldy bum.  Other than that and being a bit skinny, she seems in good health.  Nice bright eyes and very alert.

Taystee

I also got Norma to eat some corn directly from my hand, which was nice.


I started the same process with Taystee.  She was OK taking corn from the box while standing on the ground.  She was a bit more uncertain when I picked her up, but went for the corn eventually.

Taystee didn't stick around long when I let go of her, but it was a good start and again a good chance to check her over.  She's looking good.  Could do with being a bit fatter and fluffier, but we'll get there.

Big Boo and Piper didn't go for the corn when we offered it and seemed reluctant to be picked up, so I decided not to force the issue for now.

All four went to bed nicely at dusk and snuggled up for the night.

Emma decided to start a Twitter account for the girls.  You can follow them at @litchfieldhens