Keeping hens and ducks chat.

edwink · 14 February 2018 at 3:55PM

Is everyone on here OK? I am wondering if some of you are really struggling with your hens as we have yet another ban on letting them out at the moment. Remember you can still let them out as long as they are fenced in completely and you cover them over completely. Basically just make sure that they can not mix with any wild birds what so ever. Not easy though I know for those that keep their hens in huts that have small runs attached to them. Makes it awfully dark for the hens being covered over I bet unless of course you have access to electricity for some temporary lighting. I know some of you keep your hens on your allotments so you more than likely wont have access to any electricity to makes things more comfortable for your girls. I suppose you could always look for some battery operated lighting but on the other hand I bet these would drain so many batteries being switched on all day every day. If anyone has tried this type of lighting if would be useful if you could post and tell us on here what you are using as it could help others.

Well hopefully this ban won't go on for too long. As far as I am aware there have not been any new outbreaks recently which is always a good sign. I am sure like others we are all keeping our fingers and toes crossed and that the ban will be lifted soon.

Keep your chins up everyone.:)

Edwink

vjm63 · 14 February 2018 at 5:57PM

I must admit I am one of those that listens/reads and rarely posts - I have been keeping up with things here!

My girls are really miffed at me not letting them out - over the last year I had gone from letting them out of the run they have for a highly supervised hour or so a day, to gradually letting them out longer and longer, to the point that they were roaming the garden themselves for maybe five hours or more happily. I would look out and do a headcount periodically, or if I could not spot them go out and do a definite check - quite often they were off in two or three different places (I have 8 girls) but they would come to me expecting treats!

Our garden is fenced, and a good size for them (maybe 0.2 acre) with different areas, but I had seen girls chicken-limboing into the field next door (also ours) so do like to ensure they are visible ... They look so innocent as they charge back to me shouting ...

I have also found it amusing that the local cats have learned to avoid them: at first I was nervous and would go out to chase the cat away, but I have at various times seen them being positively escorted off the premises from a safe distance by a couple of the girls. Also I have seen various local felines coming into the garden, looking around 'just in case' and their normal saunter is a trot across the place - watching a cat trying to convey superiority whilst jogging out of range is quite amusing...! Another time I heard the girls fussing, and went to see what it was - one cat was trying to sit peacefully in a warm patch on the patio, but then had got four girls shouting at him from several feet away - I am not sure if the expression was disdain or disgust, but he has not sat there again!

So, they are miffed that they cannot be out exploring, and we all really look forward to when it is allowed!

Pyxis · 14 February 2018 at 7:11PM

edwink wrote: »

OMG Pyxis do they really need to be live ones? We give dried ones to our hens and ducks as a treat from time to time so I can handle those ok but LIVE ones I am not sure. Its just the crawling about thing I am not keen on :rotfl: especially with them warming up in my hand too

Edwink

It's ok, really!

A) they aren't slimy or anything, nothing like an earth-worm feels.

they are just a bit tickly!
C) at this time of year, they aren't likely to get too warm outside on your hand! Also, it's only really before the birds are confident that they would be on your hand long enough to warm up.
D) they are hatched and bred on bran, so they are perfectly clean and hygienic.

It doesn't feel any worse than say, a ladybird moving across your hand.

It might be different with your garden birds, but I really had no success at all with the dried worms.
I suppose it's because they are feeding them to chicks, mostly.
They do go mad for the live ones, though, which is why they are willing to overcome their fear of the humin!

Pyxis · 14 February 2018 at 7:19PM

vjm63 wrote: »

I have also found it amusing that the local cats have learned to avoid them: at first I was nervous and would go out to chase the cat away, but I have at various times seen them being positively escorted off the premises from a safe distance by a couple of the girls. Also I have seen various local felines coming into the garden, looking around 'just in case' and their normal saunter is a trot across the place - watching a cat trying to convey superiority whilst jogging out of range is quite amusing...! Another time I heard the girls fussing, and went to see what it was - one cat was trying to sit peacefully in a warm patch on the patio, but then had got four girls shouting at him from several feet away - I am not sure if the expression was disdain or disgust, but he has not sat there again!

vjm63 · 15 February 2018 at 7:53PM

For some reason I cannot figure how to do thanks (it has been a busy week!) but I liked that Pyxis! - Thanks :T

Pyxis · 15 February 2018 at 8:00PM

vjm63 wrote: »

For some reason I cannot figure how to do thanks (it has been a busy week!) but I liked that Pyxis! - Thanks :T

There was one of a hen chasing a cat, but I couldn't find it, so I thought the terror ducklings would have to do!

edwink · 24 February 2018 at 4:32PM

Your cat and little duckling clip really made me laugh Pyxis. I think I saw the one with hens on some time ago but can't remember where.:)

All quiet here with my girls at the moment. The only thing different this year is that my lawn is in one piece for a change. We always let the hens and ducks down on to the lawn during the winter months but as they are all in the coop and have been for a while now my lawn has been left in peace. No need to reseed it this year now.:cool:

Haven't heard anymore further regarding the Bird Flu. It appears to have gone all quiet which is a good thing really I suppose.

How is everyone else getting on with their girls? All harmony in the camp despite being enclosed hopefully.

Edwink

Pyxis · 24 February 2018 at 5:42PM

I hope you're battening down the coops in readiness for the big freeze that's imminent! :eek:

Snowhen+1-6-13.JPG

edwink · 24 February 2018 at 7:41PM

Pyxis wrote: »

I hope you're battening down the coops in readiness for the big freeze that's imminent! :eek:

Thanks for that fab picture Pyxis.

It is a shame that they have to stay in their coop now we have this chilly weather. We have an out door stove which normally we would light for them when it is really cold or snow is on the ground. When alight it rapidly defrosts the snow around it and in no time at all the hens gather round to keep warm and stretch their wings taking in the heat. The stove weighs a blooming ton so can't move it in to their coop which is a shame. Mind you they wont be walking in the snow being in their covered coop so they and their tootsies won't get as cold, hopefully.

I'll try and dig out a photo I have of them huddled around the outdoor stove to post on here from a previous winter. Also have a couple of others I've been meaning to post too. One of my poorly indoor hen who was keeping warm fast a sleep leaning against the indoor stove and another of our speckled hen who loved to sit on my lap for some reason. She would just sit there for ages having her bib stroked whilst watching the wild birds in the garden. That little speckled hen was so very tame and loved strokes and cuddles. Those hens are no longer with us now, bless them!

Edwink

edwink · 24 February 2018 at 8:31PM

Keeping hens and ducks chat.

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