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

[Teila]

Hey appps that looks good

Not the best picture but this is what I have Blondie in and what I use to break Cilla … like you, it is not a cage per say and they can scratch around in the dirt and go for a wander etc. She will get to come out at 4pm today.

PS. I just took this pic and have moved the umbrella again to increase the shade and refreshed her water:



I thought of dividing it into two but I think that would make it too small. This is what I put KiKi in last time she went broody and she freaked out, threw herself against the bars, had a major hissy fit.

I also thought of shutting off a section of the run but it is probably not big enough to allow that and would reduce the area for the remaining gals.

I like what you have there but really do not have the room.

 

[Anniebee]

Teila said :

I might have to take a sicky so I can sit outside and keep the Crows away from poor ole Blondie who has gone from being picked on by her flock mates to being badgered by Crows!

Have I mentioned I HATE CROWS!! lol

..........

I know this might sound utterly ridiculous - but I guess, considering these crows are becoming such a nuisance, anything is worth a try.

So - if you do take a sickie - to sit outside and shoo off crows - I am wondering about a packet or two of party poppers ( to stop the party poopers ). They make a loud noise, and they spray all kinds of pretty stuff into the air. Bet the crows have never seen anything like that !!

Mind you, you would then have to clean up the mess. I doubt it would frighten or harm your chickens - they'd probably be distracted from squabbling for a while, and sit watching all the pretty colours. They are tame birds, whereas the crows are feral and wild ... and would react differently.

I am also wondering if a couple of large plastic owls obtainable from Bunnings might help. My chickens don't give a tuppenny hoot about 'owly' ... he sits on top of the coop - or near the gate to the run - and pffft .... who cares. He is moved regularly to different spots, so's nothing thinks he's dead !!

I googled some info - here it is :

1. Owls, hawks and humans are the natural predators of crows, and imitation ‘crow scarers’ such as plastic owls, imitation hawks and scarecrows do have an effect on keeping crows away.
2. Domestic pets, and especially cats are predators of crows, if you are really trying to get on top of your crow problem then you could borrow a cat.
3. Crows also do not like new or odd. What this means is that changing something, even just a little bit can help keep them away from your property

So there are a few more suggestions. Maybe they are worrying your girls, and I am wondering if it is possible that their presence is so upsetting to the girls that they get all squabbly and want to peck at each other ( besides going broody at the drop of a hat ). That could be an added cause too.

Just a few thoughts - trying to help ....

Cheers ---

 

[Fizzybelle]

Quick question to everyone with bantams, have you ever had any problems with aerial predators?

 

[Jamesg737]

Nope I only had 3 bantams as babies and had no issues. Don't know about the adults

 

[appps]

Quick question to everyone with bantams, have you ever had any problems with aerial predators?

Yes our full grown frizzle bantam was recently killed by a small goshawk though it got shooed off before it could eat it. We live in the middle of town and you often see hawk type birds doing circles over houses once you start looking for them. I probably see one every couple months so imagine there are a lot I don't see.

 

[Anniebee]

to sjturner79 - - and appps ....

Thank you both for your input about mesh and wiring for chicken coops / runs etc.

Very informative. Always on the look out to improve my chickens lives and safety.

Before Winter, I will have to do a cover of both of the runs - as I don't want raptors investigating the availability of a clear go at my chickens.when the elm tree has shed its' leaves.

At the moment it is a monumental cover for the chooks - - and my garden and part of the roof of my house. A humungous piece of work - the elm tree.

And ........ it is turning. !! Yellow leaves are showing plentiful, although that could be because of the heat we have had - BUT .... ( I live in hope of an early Autumn ).

Cheers .......... .

 

[Emys Ducks]

Weather is nice in wa a few storms but alls good. I haven't yet gotten any ducks but within a week or so I will keep updating! Hopefully this will be the first place I post the pictures. I am super excited, for the ducklings to arrive at my house Soon and this is pretty much the best way to talk with other people on the website.

~DuckBae

 

[Anniebee]

Thanks Anniebee. It's devastating when you lose one isn't it? Some really stand out in their own special way.

With regards to leaky coops, actually the new coop I got for Agnes and her flock mates leaked where I didn't expect it too, so now at the first sign of rain I throw a tarp over it. The run needs covering too, it's not as good as I initially though, and will need some further modding, I already removed a section for more ventilation. Days where it's rainy all day long, all three little chickens spend it inside. I go through a lot of newspaper, but the piece of mind is worth it. Aggie's only five months, so there's still lots to look forward to, and I want all of them around for as long as possible. Actually Annabelle, my RIR hybrid isn't as waterproof as her pal Ada, so usually requires a rub down or blow dry. So far all chickens I've used the hair dryer on seem to love it, and aren't bothered by the noise. Annabelle also actually liked being swaddled in a towel like a baby, silly girl.

Chicken-clucky congrats on the egg!

It's always exciting to find that first one, makes you feel so proud.

Harriettasmania hello and welcome!

In other news on Saturday I go to the hatchery to get my final flock member, I'm hoping to get a Belgian D'uccle!!! can't wait

Fizzybelle ........

Do hope you found the Belgian D'uccle you were looking for to make up the remainder of your beautiful flock.

Thank you for your kind comments .... and the comment that your girls spend time inside when it is not safe for them to be outside. You are right - peace of mind is worth it all.

Have not got a hair dryer now - ( threw it out some years back - BC - [ before chickens ] ) .... not knowing that it would come in handy to blow dry a wet chook.

I have to get to my little Mindy Araucana, who has THE dirtiest butt imaginable I discovered yesterday.
Her fluffy feathers hide all that - I nearly had a pink fit !!


Yet, Mindy faithfully lays eggs that are never dirty, and does woopsies clearly and cleanly. Still and all - a butt clean is needed asap. It's a tad gross !!!

I ended up using a huge tarp over the leaky coop too - but too late at the time for Moppitt. That remained until everything was changed - and the coops have good quality corrugated iron roofs on them now.

Cheers - - - -

 

[Anniebee]

Harriettasmania - - -

.... this is a great thread, and I hope you enjoy every moment you spend here.

Cheers --------

 

[appps]

Little update on my doves. Decided to candle tonight because they are due to go home and I was pretty sure we were past hatch date. Well it's in an awkward spot so I lifted the cat carrier and reached for the egg but felt broken she'll. so my daughter grabbed the torch and I carefully lifted mum.

Her exact words were "omg there's a baby and it's ugly as sheet!"

Not sure what to do now. Do we give it a few more days before moving them back home (half hour drive). They are both first time parents