My attempt to keep chickens.

Start your own thread and let us follow you through the year
Post Reply
bikesandbirdsbob
Legendary Laner
Posts: 3792
Joined: 11 Jun 2014, 14:34
Gender: Male

Re: My attempt to keep chickens.

Post by bikesandbirdsbob »

Hi all , hope you are good .
Got to the bottom of yesterdays escapee.
My next door neighbor`s saw a hen a hybrid out the front . The barrier stopping them was down and she had gone out where the cats come and go (probably followed them ) .
Now being not used to hens and how to catch them , 2 adults and 2 children had spent a long time chasing her around the front garden .
They opened the side gate to try and chase her in .
One stood at the gate .Now she was not going that way for sure .
So the one at the gate came away and guess what happened another 7 hens made a dash for the grass as well. By now I was having a fit of laughter listening to the story .
Well eventually they all got back in and the wood barrier put back up and a well earned rest taken .
I then said the best trick to throw some bread and they will come for it. Or rattle a food bowl gets them every time .
So the lady that told me was not involved at all .
So Goldie is a good girl again and the hybrids which are well known for trouble in every way ,it is their way of enjoying life and giving back to the humans that caged them up .So all well.
Bob

User avatar
sandy
Legendary Laner
Posts: 9915
Joined: 13 Oct 2008, 21:59
Gender: Female
Location: Bristol

Re: My attempt to keep chickens.

Post by sandy »

Good grief Bob you certainly know how to keep your neighbours entertained {rofwl} good to hear your flock are flourishing x
The Pink Ladies..Audrey,Ingrid-Bergman,Madeleline,Norma-Jean,Dora,Janice,Jo,Robyn,Chrissy and Joyce
The Peds…Mork,Mindy,Bell,Saphire &
Vorky ,Blueped,Ginger,Ninger &Linky

Sunny Clucker was ere July 12-21 2012
Sunny Clucker was ere July 6 2016 to Sept 9th 2017
Sunny Clucker is here , rehomed Aug 18th 2018/
bikesandbirdsbob
Legendary Laner
Posts: 3792
Joined: 11 Jun 2014, 14:34
Gender: Male

Re: My attempt to keep chickens.

Post by bikesandbirdsbob »

Hi Sandy , as per e mail and Photo .
To those not in the know . I have only Simone at my home at present . The flock , which I booked as 30 ,actually 36 is residing at Hockley near Southend , in a des. res with Alpaca`s and ducks and half a dozen boys . Desmond and Jack are already trying to take over the field by wooing the hens and showing the boys who`s boss.
Long story but they are booked in for a month mid August.
Simone being not in good health I have kept in the kitchen spoiling her as much as I can.
There are being wormed and enjoying the sun and green grass .
Will be visiting them Thursday midday.
Lots going on at work and at home so more up dates will be forth coming in due course .
Bob
Cheshire Chick
Longlasting Laner
Posts: 894
Joined: 12 Jan 2017, 11:51

Re: My attempt to keep chickens.

Post by Cheshire Chick »

That sounds interesting Bob - wonder what you have got planned?? Presume it is just a temporary measure with your flock being boarded out. Look forward to your updates.
User avatar
sandy
Legendary Laner
Posts: 9915
Joined: 13 Oct 2008, 21:59
Gender: Female
Location: Bristol

Re: My attempt to keep chickens.

Post by sandy »

Bob , the holiday home looks good )like( i shall give you a call over the weekend when things here have settled down, Hope you and Karen all well {hug}
The Pink Ladies..Audrey,Ingrid-Bergman,Madeleline,Norma-Jean,Dora,Janice,Jo,Robyn,Chrissy and Joyce
The Peds…Mork,Mindy,Bell,Saphire &
Vorky ,Blueped,Ginger,Ninger &Linky

Sunny Clucker was ere July 12-21 2012
Sunny Clucker was ere July 6 2016 to Sept 9th 2017
Sunny Clucker is here , rehomed Aug 18th 2018/
bikesandbirdsbob
Legendary Laner
Posts: 3792
Joined: 11 Jun 2014, 14:34
Gender: Male

Re: My attempt to keep chickens.

Post by bikesandbirdsbob »

Hi all , Sad news from the holiday home , one of the 12 sisters (not Sam) died Thurs morning .
I visited the flock at midday .
They are fine and have eaten the flowers , grass and left it in mud in just 3 days .
fed them and the 100 birds and alpacas .
Spent an hour plus with them.
So 35 in boarding and one at home.
Missing them very much .
dead rats and not many seen alive now.
Whilst having the chance I am repairing the coops and wiring .
Bob
bikesandbirdsbob
Legendary Laner
Posts: 3792
Joined: 11 Jun 2014, 14:34
Gender: Male

Re: My attempt to keep chickens.

Post by bikesandbirdsbob »

Hi all , More expected sad news . Simone died this am . Found dead when returned from night shift.
Now chicken less in my garden.
All hens and boys in boarding till mid Aug .
Next visit will be Monday evening .
Bob
User avatar
KarenE
Legendary Laner
Posts: 3460
Joined: 06 Apr 2013, 13:43
Gender: Female
Location: Northamptonshire

Re: My attempt to keep chickens.

Post by KarenE »

So sorry to hear about Simone and your other lost girl Bob. It must be very strange to not have any chickens in your garden. I'm intrigued about your news though! Look forward to finding out what's going on, when you've got a chance to fill us in
Karen
Alpha chick to: Smudge, Matisse and Bluebell
Chief servant to Marley the cat
Remembering Weeps, Rexie, Sage, Cassie, Toffee, Captain Gabby, Commander Nugget, Ronnie, Juno, Special Poetry and Reading Casper, Tigger, Tophenanall Rembrandt, Chestnut, Tiddly, Willow, Mango, Coco, Dorian Grey and Pokey.
Also my lost furries Charlie and Jasper
Cheshire Chick
Longlasting Laner
Posts: 894
Joined: 12 Jan 2017, 11:51

Re: My attempt to keep chickens.

Post by Cheshire Chick »

Sorry to hear about Simone Bob. Must be so strange for you without your girls and boys. Why have they gone to a holiday home? Sounds like they are having a marvellous time there though - must be such an adventure for them, but a bit sad for you.
bikesandbirdsbob
Legendary Laner
Posts: 3792
Joined: 11 Jun 2014, 14:34
Gender: Male

Re: My attempt to keep chickens.

Post by bikesandbirdsbob »

Hi all , back at work after a few days off.
Well , rat poison has done its job , not one seen now for a good few days .

Rebuild on run going reasonable well .
More run dirt removed .
Moved the back wire fence a further 2 feet and concreted the bit left between neighbors garage and the wire fence .
Replacing the chicken wire with reinforced wire small gauge .
Lots more to do . Emptied the run of logs , branches , perches down to the floor .
Roof taken off and air (rain ) coming through.
Repaired the big coop , new wood siding .
Garden is now full with the bits thrown out and dump runs.
More to do.
Hoping to visit the flock tonight depending on time available.
Barling Poul. At Shopland have them .
They are looking good and begin to lay their eggs . Boys showing the London breeding and taking on all comers . One particular would like to see Jack the other side of the cage.
Being wormed and I will give them blackberries and rolls when I go next .
Not much to say , just cracking on with the rebuild and rat defence .
Miss the hens a lot , so are the chaps at work as eggs not available.
Booked till mid August and hopefully back .
Not been the same since Harley my dog died for sure .
Bob
bikesandbirdsbob
Legendary Laner
Posts: 3792
Joined: 11 Jun 2014, 14:34
Gender: Male

Re: My attempt to keep chickens.

Post by bikesandbirdsbob »

Hi all , it a happy frame of mind this morning.
I visited my flock last night.
They are doing well and Goldie and Litalen have hit it off with the children.
Spoiled them and spent well over an hour with them.
They seemed to remember me (well the rolls and the treats I brought ) . The rest of the flock seem very well . Desmond is happy and Jack seems to be entertaining the other ;ads through the wire .
Lots of work being done this weekend whilst I am out Sat. Should know a date for their return soon .
Extra space as well in runs. Jack will be in the small run and the rest will be in with Desmond the larger side.
Divided by a strong metal welded mesh fence .
Removing bags of dirt from floor back to 2012 level .
They will be restricted in use of garden like in a lock down (Flu) winter .
Neck collar`s for the boys .
Miss them so much .
Old habits still with me as waking up at 4.00 am well before alarm for work.
Hope all are well .
Bob
bikesandbirdsbob
Legendary Laner
Posts: 3792
Joined: 11 Jun 2014, 14:34
Gender: Male

Re: My attempt to keep chickens.

Post by bikesandbirdsbob »

Hi all , hope all are good.
Latest up date Flock in good health as far as I know . Visit again on Sunday.
Building project is all go. builders in today to extend and rebuild and modernise the run.
lots of footings and concrete down.
Next door neighbour still has a rat problem in the house ........
My cat brought another in yesterday.
I can do little about that .
All I can do is prevent them in my chicken area.
New treadle feeders and water buckets bought .
Meal worms 100 pounds worth , for the big return .
Still for around 14th Aug.
depends on how the build goes today .
Hate to think how many eggs this little lot is going to need to pay for it all.
Fortunately , I just cough up and pay .
Nice place to be in .
delays my house repairs foe a little while .
Got till 2020 Dec before I move I am working on.
Neighbours are now wanting eggs so want me to get them back soon.
Not much more to say at moment ,of to a beach party today.
be back on Monday with more up dates .
Bob
bikesandbirdsbob
Legendary Laner
Posts: 3792
Joined: 11 Jun 2014, 14:34
Gender: Male

Re: My attempt to keep chickens.

Post by bikesandbirdsbob »

Latest.
Never worked so hard .
Have replaced the wire for new and taken a small (original ) door out . Moved the door to the other end , Made the door larger to walk through with out banging my head .
Built the door frame , built the door frame , just need to put a middle bar and then wire it up.
Take Pom Pom house out of the run .
So now digging out the runs lowering 6 years of dirt etc .
Need more work done on it as well.
SHMBO condemns the work I do and I get some one else in to take apart and replace .
Do not think she will complain about this lot of work .
I saw the flock on Sunday .
All looking good . Egg count going down , good girls save them for me.
They had an offer of 4 hens that need rehoming as a move and can not go with them . Might get lucky and get them added to my flock.....
well more work to do . Still sticking to the plan of around the 14th Aug RETURN...
Bob
Hope all are well .
User avatar
kitla
Legendary Laner
Posts: 3752
Joined: 30 Oct 2009, 23:25
Gender: Female
Location: Northants

Re: My attempt to keep chickens.

Post by kitla »

Not long now Bob. Where are you planning to move to?
"He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals."
--Immanuel Kant
User avatar
KarenE
Legendary Laner
Posts: 3460
Joined: 06 Apr 2013, 13:43
Gender: Female
Location: Northamptonshire

Re: My attempt to keep chickens.

Post by KarenE »

Looking forward to seeing pics of the new chicken village Bob!
Karen
Alpha chick to: Smudge, Matisse and Bluebell
Chief servant to Marley the cat
Remembering Weeps, Rexie, Sage, Cassie, Toffee, Captain Gabby, Commander Nugget, Ronnie, Juno, Special Poetry and Reading Casper, Tigger, Tophenanall Rembrandt, Chestnut, Tiddly, Willow, Mango, Coco, Dorian Grey and Pokey.
Also my lost furries Charlie and Jasper

Post Reply