| Archive for The Potting Shed A forum to discuss Crafts, Cooking, Gardening, Countryside, Livestock and Pets |
| Kathy |
Going wildOhMy God Why didn't anyone tell me that young hens are a lot feistier (sp). Came home with 4 birds, utility, 2 bluebells (very pretty) and 2 Rhode Island/Buff Orpington crosses. We got the 2 bluebells boxed then Coco noticed one of the "brown ones" had bent feet, "we can't leave that behind" into the box she goes..."and she'll need a companion".......into the box goes another. Got them home, opened the box, "bent feet" flew straight over our heads and out the door before I'd even had time to shut it. 
Mr Kathy headed her off at the pass before she went off down the drive onto the road, we herded her back in and slammed the door shut. By this time Bluebell was trying her flying skills out and dive bombing all the plant pots off the shelves (hen shed is shared with my pots!) Given my phobia of flapping wings this doesn't bode well and I booked some light sussexes too, when they're ready in October, need to find some wing clipper thingies, I'll let Coco do the clipping though! 
Photos to follow....................... |
| agapanthus |
Wing clipper thingies????....think you mean scissors!!!!
Fun having new choox innit??!! 
|
| Becki |
We have 4 chicks that have been hatched 'au natural' and I am so proud of them It's lovely to see them and Mummy hen tucked up at night 
|
| mogs |
fofl ................oh kathy that brought a smile to my face.......fofl
i have all sorts of images in my head now....ha ha.... thanks for starting my day off with a smile.......
|
| Libby |
I was going to say I used sissors too!!! Pics please, if you can catch them!!!
|
| Aqui |
OK. now you've put me off! |
| Kathy |
I'm keeping them in for a couple of days, the shed is pretty big. They all roosted quietly last night and I managed to get the 2 old hens out this morning without any wing flapping.
I'm waiting for a book about poultry keeping to arrive, I daresay it'll tell me to use scissors for clipping wings. 
Tha chap we bought them from was a character, and the clue should have been in the 7ft high fencing. He obviously likes his tipple and was quite ruddy faced by lunchtime yesterday! Showed us all his young hens and chicks, tried to sell us some geese too.
I asked about ducks BTW Aggie but he didn't have any. |
| coco331 |
The geese were friendly ones he had....the last time I had met a goose it had red eyes and chased me round and round this poor wee pony, which wasn't too happy about it, then the dog flipped out and rescued me by grabbing the goose around the neck...all a bit hysterical....and a mad woman was screeching at me to not show any fear....?? A bit hard not to really.... I thought I was going to die
I would like geese, with normal coloured eyes, but ducks would be nicer, less dangerous. The new hens are lovely, bit batty though. |
| Becki |
I havn't had to clip any of mine, let me know how it goes Kathy 
|
| Kathy |
I got 2 wee eggs.
|
| Becki |
I've had a couple of eggs with no shell, as in they are all menbrany and squidgy. very weird
|
| Kathy |
Yeuch Becki!
The saga continues......with hens moved to new bit, fancy new electric fencing which made the dogs yelp. Dusk, "oh said the new ones, where we going to roost then", jumped on top of the fence, sat there, had a look round and headed for a very derelict corner.  The 2 old ones roosted in a clump of nettles right beside the door to their new home. Coco managed to catch them with Mr Kathy holding the torch, lots of mutterings about "bl**dy hens and it's pitch black out here," I held the gate to stop the old ones getting out.
Got a couple of bad photos (it was dusk) but it gives you an idea. The cottage in the background is almost derelict, the roof threatening to collapse shortly. You can see the lovely old stone, such a shame it's just being left, the buildings, including the hen house haven't been used for at least 50 yrs and the old water mill is still in place. Just off to google wing clipping................... Meet, from the right in the first photo, Sharon aka bent toes, Grace, Bluebelle, Shanti (older one), Amrita and Attila! 
|
| Kathy |
A better one of Bluebell and the buildings!
|
| lottie |
Fabulous photos - clipping is easy Kathy - just do one wing though - as it unsettles them as they fly lop sided!
http://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/guid...en%20Care&sub=wing%20clipping Here is a link Becki if you need it |
| Kathy |
Managed to get one of the 4 young ones roosting, you can see "bent feet" aka Sharon on the right!
|
| Becki |
Thanks lottie
|
| morlan75 |
Lovley healthy looking birds Bluebell's stunning
|
| Libby |
I miss my chooks 
yours look lovely Kathy! |