Keeping hens and ducks chat.

edwink

Horseygirl123 wrote: »

Edwink - yes I collected six on Saturday evening. They were running two hours late so I expect the poor things were exhausted. They were in good condition actually - they were from a free range farm as opposed to caged birds - so apart from very pale small combs and a couple being on the thin side - not as bad as I'd feared.

One of them is quite bold and has flown over each morning to join my other hens and was amazingly adventurous when she came out with the others. Funny enough when I went back into the enclosure to clean the new girls out, she followed me back to join them. The others are very timid and stay under the shelter but when they hear me coming they do come out to see me. I have a little seat in there and often waste time just sitting there.:) Three eggs on Sunday and three today:)

Aww Horseygirl I loved reading your post. I am going to read it again after sending this. Such a lovely little story about your new hens. Really nice to read. Thank you.

Hope all is well everyone.

Edwink

edwink

Better_Days wrote: »

One of our neighbours who regularly spoils our girls bought them round some chard today. Great excitement. Gracie grabbed hers up and ran away with it, hiding behind the feed station so no-one could steal her precious leaf. Its great to see them enjoying themselves so much.

Good old Gracie that's the way to do it and keep something to herself. I always think it is so funny when one of my hens does that and the others go chasing after her for a piece.

Edwink x

Happygreen

Hello, all! At the moment I'm utterly amazed at my hens. Every second or third day I am getting 3 out of 3 eggs, which is stunning considering that they must be at least 6 years old! No spring chickens! I am flooded with duck eggs, too, as my friends who buy lots each week are away on holiday. Poached eggs for breakfast, quiche for tea and today I'll make a cheesecake and custard

Horseygirl123

Six years old! Good grief, they are doing amazingly well, congratulations.

Better_Days

A sad day yesterday, we had our lurcher, Charlie PTS. He's been unwell for a while and he went to the Animal Health Trust last week for investigations. They found evidence of brain degeneration, abnormalities on his spleen and an abdominal mass. He'd also lost some weight and was starting to go off his food. We felt that even if we sorted out one of his problems the others would remain, and the neurological problems especially would be very unlikely to improve.

We took him for a last walk and then the vet put him peacefully to sleep. He was a very sweet dog, both with other dogs and people. He had many fans especially my nephew who thought the world of him.

For the first time in 14 years we have no dog in the house, our other dog was pts in June 2015. The dog beds scattered round the house look very empty.

RIP Charlie.

Horseygirl123

Sorry to hear about your loss. I cry each and every time one of our many pets has to be put to sleep. It doesn't get easier does it.

I love lurchers. The lady next door has one and after I went to great trouble to wire net my gate to stop chickens getting out and unwanted visitors getting in, her Molly just show jumps over the gate to come and see me. She is so lovely and gentle and never bothers with the chickens or the cat. She just comes for a fuss (and a dog treat - but I don't tell her owner that!).

Better_Days

Thanks Horseygirl123 you're right, it doesn't get any easier, if anything it gets harder. Lurchers are sweeties, and he never bothered the cats or chickens either, although a rotting rabbit was considered food of the gods! They do have a massive amount of 'spring' in their hind legs, and if Charlie was anything to go by, no sense of danger.

Horseygirl123

It must be a trait of theirs. The lady next door lunges her horses and I've seen her lurcher chasing the horses as if it's a game. They've even kicked out at her but it doesn't put her off. And Charlie would have enjoyed hoovering up the suet pellets I put out for the birds just like Molly does I'm sure.

Horseygirl123

I thought I'd give an update on the rescue hens before I settle down with Game of Thrones:)


They've really come out of their shells:) apart from the one who kept flying over to 'the other side' from day two. She's as bold as brass. When I arrived this morning, two more had flown over so I thought now was the time to integrate them. I peeled back the temporary fence and just let them wander through. It was so lovely just watching them explore - in and out the several coops, through the long grass and finally out the gate into the yard.

Some memorable moments have been watching them actually realising what treats are. I haven't overdone it but a bit of scrambled egg, chopped up grapes and some corn given to them mainly for the two which are very thin. At first they weren't sure what it was and seemed a bit confused but now they woof it down as fast as tge others.

Another special moment was watching them dust bathing for the first time. I had put a tray of compost/sand in their run but I noticed it hadn't been touched. I then tipped the lot under the lean to roof and within minutes they had found it.

I'm surprised at how extremely friendly several of them are, to the point of following me everywhere. I'm Mother Hen:)

I've put my name down for six more this month from another rehoming charity. It's been so rewarding. I would have had more originally but I was a little apprehensive but I needn't have worried.

edwink

Horseygirl123 wrote: »

I've put my name down for six more this month from another rehoming charity. It's been so rewarding. I would have had more originally but I was a little apprehensive but I needn't have worried.

Aww that is so lovely Horseygirl and well done you on getting some more so soon.:T You may need to look away now and not read this bit but I started with 12 rescue hens and that was all I was ever going to have at any one time but now have 25 hens, a Cockerel plus 7 ducks. The more the merrier I say.:rotfl:

Yes I agree they are so rewarding :j
Edwink x