I did quite a bit of research before I started building the house so had a rough idea of what I wanted and what the girls needed.

Photo by Candy. I should have worn a hat to hide the ever-increasing bald spot... No I'm not 18ft tall, it's a REALLY small chair!

The floor is down. Just the walls, roof and doors to go!

Ramp done, and most of the walls on.

We replanked one end of the garage! We did the other end last November under very trying circumstances... The front has been done too now. Could do with some new doors, but theres a hen house in the way now! :oP

This is the walk in run that the girls are in for most of the day. Much easier for cleaning them out, and collecting the eggs. There is a 'low level' run too, about 3ftx3ftx8ft that the girls go into when we need the lawn mowed.

Split level door gives me something to lean on when I'm hen-watching.

All we're missing is the girls!

Two bakery trays tied at each end. Thanks to Down The Lane boss Richard for the idea!

Doris was the one I took to work on the train for Richard.

The girls settled in really quickly, which surprised me.

Bottom to top: Emily, Korma and Ada, Doris, Madras and Gladys

Gladys is definitely bottom of the pecking order, but my favourite!

Korma is a bit of a bossy one, but not the Madam! Likes worms.

Madras is head of the escape committee...

Ada is vocal, Boss Lady and one of the regular layers

Emily is the other regular layer at the moment. Greedy and noisy too!

A proper tin bath too! Emily was the first to discover the delights of a dust bath...

31st October is the day all five laid eggs for us. All different colours, but who laid which one? Nice to have eggs with a a 'laid date' rather than an expiry date!