Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[satay]

Hey Bethan

I hope you do not mind me sharing an experience I had in reply to your having two girls but room for three.

You may have thought of this and I do not wish to upset you or put the mockers on you but I started out with two girls [Cilla was one of them, she is my remaining original girl] and unfortunately I lost one to illness which left Cilla very sad and alone.  At the time, it was difficult to find her a companion.  I eventually did but sadly, we lost that one also, leaving her on her own once more.  Again, I had trouble finding a companion and when I finally did, I made the decision to get two more. 

As much as it is not something I wanted to think about, having three meant that if I did lose one, the remaining two would have company and I would have more time to find a replacement.  Just my humble opinion but for those reasons and based on my experience, if there is room for three, I would have three.

I was thinking who has just 2 chickens but then I realized probably most sane people The only thing that comes in twos around her is dogs and snakes, oh and I have 1 cat.

 

[satay]

Hey, has anyone had a Magpie attack their chicken? I was just sitting back watching two of my girls scratching on the grass and a magpie aggressively swooped down onto my black bantams back!!!??? I jumped up and yelled at it and ran towards it and it flew onto the fence before I shoo it away completely

so I know it was definitely a magpie and I can't believe it?! My poor girls ran for their coop and are clearly still shaken up, poor little darlings

should I be concerned about magpies with my chooks or could this just have been a mistake of identity or something?

I have had butcher birds try to attack my bantams but never magpies.

 

[satay]

Im hoping all will be well & itn not a 3 week for you

Thank you

 

[Teila]

Tee hee Bethan did we warn you that this thread is full of enablers? Never ask us if we think you should give a broody eggs either

mamabokbok to be honest, I do not remember the last time I saw a Magpie around here so I have to say No on that one. I am sorry that it upset your girls.

satay while the Vet replied “he looks amazing compared to Saturday” .. I wonder what he was thinking

Nice to know you have someone available if Patsy has dramas and hopefully it will be good news soon.

 

[satay]

Tee hee Bethan did we warn you that this thread is full of enablers?  Never ask us if we think you should give a broody eggs either 

mamabokbok to be honest, I do not remember the last time I saw a Magpie around here so I have to say No on that one.  I am sorry that it upset your girls.

satay while the Vet replied “he looks amazing compared to Saturday” .. I wonder what he was thinking   Nice to know you have someone available if Patsy has dramas and hopefully it will be good news soon.

Yeah 2 different vets actually emma the female vet from in town is the on call vet today and the weekend. She is tiny just over 5ft id say. Gunna be interesting if she has to pull a lamb out though I am sure she has done bigger jobs than that before.. That's the same vet if anyone remembers was terrified of our carpet snake and hid in the other room when we took her in

 

[Bethan]

Some of you may be interested in Great Aussie Backyard Bird Count happening this week. Info is on the Gardening Australia website.

 

[Anniebee]

Teila :

Tee hee Anniebee trust me, if they were ‘my Crows’ they would not be an issue .. it is only the fact that they are protected that is saving their evil black butts Actually, that is not true, I could never actually hurt them but that does not stop me thinking about it .. lol

“So what is the difference between ravens and crows? The correct answer at the end of the day appears to be 'nothing'. If you rephrase the question to 'how can you tell the difference between the different species?' the answer, at least in Australia, is 'not easily!'. Australian corvids are almost identical in appearance. The most reliable way of knowing is simply knowing which town you are in. In Melbourne and Adelaide your local 'crows' are Little Ravens. In Perth, Canberra and Sydney they are Australian Ravens. In Hobart, they are Forest ravens, and in Brisbane and Darwin they are Torresian Crows. Note, however, that there may be other species about, such as the elusive Australian Raven visitors in Melbourne.”

Be them Crows or Ravens .. I am sticking with Evil Black @#$%’s

I find retaining my sense of humour where they are concerned helpful … but there is a fine line between laughter and a maniacal chuckle

,,,,,,

I know you would never hurt them Teila ... but they must be really badly annoying. Evil black butts sounds pretty spot on to me.

I often write some comments on an independent media website, where there is a guy there calls himself " Corvus Boreus" which is the Latin for " Little Raven" or "Relict Raven".

You can add that to your sense of humour - with maniacal chuckles. ( see you have me laughing again ).

I have a mental image, even though I have NO idea what you look like - of you getting out there in the wee hours, calling " come come now, little Corvus Boreus's .... leave me in peace, there's a good birdies" ( or words to that effect - -- - I cannot type anything about 'b**ger off' or whatever. !! )

But honestly, to a degree, they have imprinted on you. You, the chef extraordinaire - providing such goodies to possibly eat.

Interesting the " --- " comments you have shown here. Saw some today ( crows I think - brown blacks ) ... doing their thing behind the Foodworks supermarket. Thought immediately about you.
So we have here in Melbourne and out way east, "Little Ravens" ... must admit most I see are blue black to look at. ( ravens ? ).

.........

Speaking of birds - saw a big wedge tail floating about in the sky, just pre-dusk this evening. Rushed out to put chookies to bed. Next doors have 'free ranging guinea pigs' ... and I don't hold a lot of hope for their safety. Two have already been taken by a fox at 10 am one morning. ??

I have to ask - who on earth has 'free ranging guinea pigs' ... and for what reason. I have not dared ask the question of the neighbours. ????

Anybody here know the answer to that one ?

Cheers all ----

AB

 

[Anniebee]

Hey everyone. Can i jump into this convo? I just joined a day or two ago. I am from the mid north coast of NSW. I only added poultry to my menagerie this year and now have 5 chooks, 1 mallard, 6 ducklings and 1 chick. The chickens are by far the favourites of my kids especially since the babies hatched. Looking forward to sharing ideas and learning more.

..... LanaDucky .... this is a wonderful thread, and I have learned so very much from people here who are more than prepared to help with advice.

Look forward to more from you and about your 'menagerie'.....

Cheers ---

 

[Anniebee]

Teila I didn't know that crows were protected.
We live in a grape growing region and the growers here are allowed to shoot birds that are considered threats to their grape crops. The first time we heared the shots we all nearly shot our pants!

Kind of used to it now tho. They are only supposed to shoot the 'pest' birds such as the pink and Gray galahs that decimate their crops, but I wouldn't be surprised if a few 'crows' said hello to an occasional bullet.
And hey, who are we to argue with a farmer with a gun.

Last night when I was locking up the girls, I noticed that one of them was using the perches I made for them. Hurray

She was on the very top perch and all the others were on the ground directly under her!
Guess we now know who the top bird is .
Wonder if she chirps "Geronimo!" As a warning to those below during the night

.... well it is ... gave me great giggles.

Not too chuffed about the shooting of birds, but farmers absolutely MUST protect their growths, produce, livestock etc., so ... um guess it's kind of ok.

And yes, I knew that crows were protected - only because I have googled all kinds of things about crows since Teila began her stories

Good to know that one of your birds is using the top perch. Yep - Geronimo it is --- she's top dog - er chook.

Ciao ... AB

 

[locknest4]

Patsy is still not delivering yet but eating up a storm. I spoke to the vets and they have given me signs to look for and to call them if I see any of them and someone will be right out. I also sent a video of Zeus to the vets to see how Zeus is progressing and his reply was he looks amazing compared to Saturday.

Glad to hear Zeus is better!
Sounds like you are giving Patsy the best care