Final episode Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Yesterday we took Marjorichael to Chookies Farm in Deal, where the owner clearly knew what she was doing and was very helpful. She did not hesitate, when I called her, and said he will be separated for a while, then will then be able to roam. I...

Thank you. Interesting responses. Yes, the reason for wanting to separate them is that there are only five hens to one cockerel and research indicates there should be no fewer than eight. Because of his constant attentions, the hens are now practically bare on their backs, towards their tails - with...

So far, there have not been any takers for the unplanned cockerel that we thought was a hen! If a new home cannot be found, another alternative may be to secure some chicken wire in the enclosure, thus separating Marjorichael (the cockerel) from the hens. Does anyone know whether this is appropriate...

The lovely six hens acquired last year have turned into five hens and a cockerel! This was originally a bit of a novelty for me and the neighbours have not complained, so it was not an issue. However, the five girls are now being pestered by the cockerel (orignally Marjorie, then Michael - so now Ma...

The lovely six hens acquired last year have turned into five hens and a cockerel! This was originally a bit of a novelty for me and the neighbours have not complained, so it was not an issue. However, the five girls are now being pestered by the cockerel (orignally Marjorie, then Michael - so now Ma...

They were fine during the heat. There is a lovely shady spot behind their house and they have had plenty of water. Our Barnevelder (Syrup, not Sylvie - she being the Silver Laced Orpington!) is so far the most friendly and will come up to me when I have corn. She lets me tickle the back of her head/...

https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/62/48/9SH4zGxm_t.jpg It worked. Thank you KarenE and Wendy. A bit laborious and I shall probably forget, but managed it this time. A paperclip is so much easier! These are our new six: Fifi the French Wheaten Maran Treacle the Welsummer Syrup the Gold laced Orpington Marj...

We now have six new girls. How do I upload a picture? Cannot see a paperclip for inserting.

Many thanks.

No chastising please! After we lost our six girls a few weeks' ago, the remaining two have been kept inside nearly all the time - with me feeling bad about them not being able to run free. Today they were let out and were with me this morning when I was pottering. When it started to rain I came indo...

Given that I shall probably get some more girls - after the disaster of 10.05.19 when the fox got six of mine - is anyone able to recommend places to go where I can get friendly pure breeds who like to be handled? Not sure if this is allowed on this site, so forgive me if I am not supposed to ask fo...

The hutch is there because that is how I introduced the bantams to the hens. I attached a dog crate to the outside for a few days and then removed the crate, leaving them all to mix. The bantams used to hide under the hutch if they felt threatened by the hens. The only downside to this (because it w...

Thanks all. Originally we had four hens, then when of our Welsummes died of natural causes so we were left with three. We were given six bantams last September and they were introduced very slowly and all got along fairly well. Our Legbars picked on them every now and then, but generally only when c...

Thank you all so much. I am just not sure whether to replace the missing girls or not. Is it fair to have hens that are kept in their run all day every day? One the other hand, they give me so much pleasure (selfish) and there are now only two left. I knkow I have to keep them in for the time being ...

Thank you. Just had another lucky escape. I left the run open, in the very slim chance that any survivors might come back at bed time. Just went down to shut them up and the final two were nowhere to be seen, but a fox jumped over the fence in front of me. I hunted around the garden and found clever...

Went out at 1.15 pm today to go to a friend's memorial. Got back around 5.00 pm to find a garden full of feathers. One dead hen Wanda (the Welsummer) and feathers everywhere. When I left today I had six bantams and two hens (one Welsummer and one Legbar). Apart from poor dead Wanda, could not find a...