Daydream thread... without the rose-tinted specs

Itismehonest

Davesnave wrote: »

Our cherries were about 3 weeks ago and the birds had the lot, but they were small because of the dry weather.

On the subject of chickens, may I ask if anyone with experience has found that they race around the outside of their shed/coop when they know a treat is coming? We have 'corn time' in the late afternoon, and as soon as DW opens the door to fetch the container, the chooks race around outside.

I suppose the Vorwerks start it, as they can't just stay still and wait patiently, and then the others see them running and chase after. It's a mad dash, with each hen trying to get to the front, but as they're running in a circle, they never do!:rotfl::rotfl:

I only ask because a chicken-keeping friend witnessed this today and found it highly amusing, saying hers have never done anything like that.

I can't say I've known them run around in circles, Dave.
Our chickens, like all the other bottomless pits (livestock) got excited at feed time but they all knew where the food was coming from so came to meet it.

lostinrates

Davesnave wrote: »

Our cherries were about 3 weeks ago and the birds had the lot, but they were small because of the dry weather.

On the subject of chickens, may I ask if anyone with experience has found that they race around the outside of their shed/coop when they know a treat is coming? We have 'corn time' in the late afternoon, and as soon as DW opens the door to fetch the container, the chooks race around outside.

I suppose the Vorwerks start it, as they can't just stay still and wait patiently, and then the others see them running and chase after. It's a mad dash, with each hen trying to get to the front, but as they're running in a circle, they never do!:rotfl::rotfl:

I only ask because a chicken-keeping friend witnessed this today and found it highly amusing, saying hers have never done anything like that.

There is a weird you've been framed clip of this sort of thing.


Mine just mug me.

Itismehonest

Maybe it's just because they can't get to meet (or as LIR says - mug) your DW, Dave, & excitement sends them literally loopy?
Mine were either roosting up or totally free so could come storming up as soon as they saw us appear.
Are your chickens loose or fenced in, LIR?

lostinrates

Itismehonest wrote: »

Maybe it's just because they can't get to meet (or as LIR says - mug) your DW, Dave, & excitement sends them literally loopy?
Mine were either roosting up or totally free so could come storming up as soon as they saw us appear.
Are your chickens loose or fenced in, LIR?

Loose. Free as birds

Itismehonest

lostinrates wrote: »

Loose. Free as birds

The theory still stands then ........... until someone comes along & blows it out of the water :rotfl:

Davesnave

Itismehonest wrote: »

The theory still stands then ........... until someone comes along & blows it out of the water :rotfl:

Well, they rush up to DW at the gate, so they can meet her, and when she goes inside the chicken orchard they just follow her normally. But as soon as she goes into the chicken shed to fetch the corn jar, they all start rushing around the outside of the shed, and they always go anti-clockwise. :rotfl:

This doesn't stop until the first handful of corn is thrown....

Video is a bit beyond me, but I'll try to do some pictures soon.

Alexelisey

No, mine come and jump up and down at the end of the run when they see people coming with treats but nothing more than that :rotfl:

rhiwfield

Davesnave wrote: »

. But as soon as she goes into the chicken shed to fetch the corn jar, they all start rushing around the outside of the shed, and they always go anti-clockwise. :rotfl:
.

Widdershins eh?

Perhaps they want to find the Elves

Itismehonest

Davesnave wrote: »

Well, they rush up to DW at the gate, so they can meet her, and when she goes inside the chicken orchard they just follow her normally. But as soon as she goes into the chicken shed to fetch the corn jar, they all start rushing around the outside of the shed, and they always go anti-clockwise. :rotfl:

This doesn't stop until the first handful of corn is thrown....

Video is a bit beyond me, but I'll try to do some pictures soon.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Maybe they're just being thick & believe she's gone round the back of the shed somewhere?
Actually, they've probably just developed the habit because it happened (maybe for the reason above) for a day or two. You know how foul & livestock love routine.
We had a goat which was born here & her ma was not too keen on feeding the kids so they were bottle-reared which meant they spent time sitting on our laps. This particular goat lived to a ripe old age but, every time I sat down near her, she'd come & plonk herself on my lap Not too bad for the early years but not so comfortable when she was full grown :rotfl:

Throwing it down here & we're due for mostly rain (& plenty of it) for the next 48 hours or so.

Better_Days

Davesnave wrote: »

On the subject of chickens, may I ask if anyone with experience has found that they race around the outside of their shed/coop when they know a treat is coming? We have 'corn time' in the late afternoon, and as soon as DW opens the door to fetch the container, the chooks race around outside.

I suppose the Vorwerks start it, as they can't just stay still and wait patiently, and then the others see them running and chase after. It's a mad dash, with each hen trying to get to the front, but as they're running in a circle, they never do!:rotfl::rotfl:

I only ask because a chicken-keeping friend witnessed this today and found it highly amusing, saying hers have never done anything like that.

Ours never did this but then the configuration of their run didn't allow for it. What they did do which always amused me is to go for whatever I threw down last. So if I threw down a few handfuls of corn (or spoons of sweetcorn for a treat, or even better spaghetti) then they would stop eating the previous bit I had thrown down and rush to the latest handful. They always seemed worried that they were going to miss out on something better if they didn't rush to the latest offering. :rotfl:

The poly-tunnel is very impressive - do you do any companion planting to deter pests? I have planted some marigolds around the tomatoes and it seems to have worked so far, but it may just be luck!

Love the photo of the chucks