Last week of freedom before LOCKDOWN (pics)

[Captain Carrot]

Hello, so the sun is shinning and Spring has sprung in Austria. I took some pics of my birds enjoying an afternoon in my forest, before being enclosed next week.

They're usually allowed to run all over my land and forest, but since I lost about 30 birds last year to a very hungry vixen with two cubs last year they're going to be fenced in until late Summer. I feel bad for doing it even though they'll still have lots of space, it looks like they where having fun...

Three of my mutts: Token Black, Mitzi and Barry having a scratch about in the leaf litter

Barry

Mitzi

Messy having a nap

Here are some of my Altsteirers having a dust bath:

Sausage

The two hens sausage and Gravy, with Carrot keeping a watchful eye over them

And just because, this is Luna my dog checking out a circling Goshawk...she likes the taste of them aparently...

 

[cackydoodledoo]

Beautiful chickens. Too bad they have to be locked up. My sis has a dog that looks just like yours. His name is Vexen!! Sweetest old dog he is!!

 

[Captain Carrot]

Quote:
All chicken keepers in a 20 mile radius had major problems with foxes last year. I'm not taking any chances this year.
They always came durring the day when no one was around, so I've fenced them in 200 square meters or so, about 600 square feet. The fencing won't keep a fox out but will give them a chance, and keep the birds in one place. My dog will be in with the birds too.

 

[cackydoodledoo]

Well hopefully the dog will deter any foxes that think about coming round!!!

 

[GammaPoppyLilyFlutter]

Well, they seem to be making the best of their freedom! Look at the size of their crops! I guess they found a lot of good things to eat in the woods. Ah, the life of a chicken...

 

[Captain Carrot]

Quote:
They find all sorts to eat in the woods, they where fighting over a slow worm today.

 

[Boilerman]

Yep it's funny to watch ours fight over the scraps.....lol