Keeping hens and ducks chat.

orangecrush

edwink said:

THIS IS RATHER CONCERNING

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63183942

Edwink

It is, isn’t it? 😭 

It feels very much like it’s endemic now. And no real way of preventing it. We’d better get started on setting up entertainment for the coops.

All going well here - our two are going through their moult so they look absolutely horrendous. 

We’ve developed a rat problem too 😭 Which is terrifying with small children. We’ve always been so careful to use containers for the food and use a rat-proof hopper. But they are so determined, they chewed a hole through the base of one of the containers. 

So we need some metal containers now, and to try and move everything around in the garden to scare them off. Ugh. 

sammyjammy

I saw the announcement on Countryfile last night and a lady saying its all well and good but they need to come up with a resolution of some sort other than shutting in all the fowl every year as its bad for welfare.

edwink

Latest update on bird flu today 16th October 2022 (scroll down to read today's latest situation when the page loads up)

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu

Edwink 

edwink

More updates on bird flu this week.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu

Edwink 

edwink

More links on Avian Flu I'm afraid (2 others above this post)
Today's link... https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu

Plus, I lost one of my little ex-battery hens during the night. I found her when I opened up this morning.  Always nice for them if they go in their sleep I always think.   Age wise she has done quite well, bless her as she was just over 4.5 years old. My oldest ever ex batt girl was just over 5.5 years old.

Edwink 

edwink

I am very very sad to tell you all that our little Cayuga duck Hoppy died this morning.  We got her when she was 6 weeks old and she would have been 10 years old next month.

We are heartbroken.  RIP our little girl x

sammyjammy

edwink said:

I am very very sad to tell you all that our little Cayuga duck Hoppy died this morning.  We got her when she was 6 weeks old and she would have been 10 years old next month.

We are heartbroken.  RIP our little girl x

I am so sorry but what a beautiful little life she had!  I bet she lived her life for all those ducks and chickens that live a miserable existence for their short lives.  10 years is amazing, hope she didn't suffer x

maddiemay

So sorry about your dear little Hoppy, I have so enjoyed hearing about her in your posts, no doubt you will miss her badly, but hopefully the fact that she had an amazing life with you a comfort.
MM x

edwink

sammyjammy said:

edwink said: I am very very sad to tell you all that our little Cayuga duck Hoppy died this morning.  We got her when she was 6 weeks old and she would have been 10 years old next month.

We are heartbroken.  RIP our little girl x

 I am so sorry but what a beautiful little life she had!  I bet she lived her life for all those ducks and chickens that live a miserable existence for their short lives.  10 years is amazing, hope she didn't suffer x

maddiemay said:

So sorry about your dear little Hoppy, I have so enjoyed hearing about her in your posts, no doubt you will miss her badly, but hopefully the fact that she had an amazing life with you a comfort.
MM x

 
Bless you both and thank you so much for your support.  It really means a lot as I have been so upset this week and I miss her terribly.

She didn't suffer in any way at all. We went to get her up in the morning and noticed her head was a bit floppy and within ten minutes she slowly went.  The best thing was that she wasn't alone and we were with her at the end. I guess she waited for us, maybe. who knows. She has now been laid to rest next to her pal Pingu right near our favourite purple Buddleia.

Edwink x

SisterAnna

I am sad to hear your news about your little duck Hoppy.  Like maddiemay, I have really enjoyed hearing about her and how she was getting on. That's a good age for a duck at nearly ten years old, what a lucky little duck she was to have you and Mr. edwink to look after her. 

I don't post on your thread much because I don't keep hens myself but I do love following this thread and catching up on everyone's hen and ducks news. Just wanted to say that I am thinking of you both, take care.