MJ's little flock

[RoyalChick]

I couldn't find any made in Australia.

Two of mine came from the UK and the one I got here in the US was sold as a picnic hamper and I removed the little divided section for wines.
I got it at an basket outlet warehouse somewhere way up in New England that I happened to drive past for reasons now long forgotten.

 

[rjohns39]

Good evening folks

 

[BY Bob]

@RoyalChick I found a possible cat basket. It's made by a basket maker in Scotland. I've reached out to see if they deliver to Australia.

In Blossom's case, I think the extra space will be reassuring.

View attachment 3298225

That is a handsome basket for sure.

 

[MaryJanet]

Two of mine came from the UK and the one I got here in the US was sold as a picnic hamper and I removed the little divided section for wines.
I got it at an basket outlet warehouse somewhere way up in New England that I happened to drive past for reasons now long forgotten.

I've heard back from the basket people in West Kilbride (which was fun to look up on the map!) and they're willing to deliver to Australia, but they think it might to be too expensive. They make baskets by hand from scratch, which is the type of work I like to support if I can afford to, and have asked me what dimensions would work best. So I think I'll measure Blossom's cat carrier and add 20 cm to width and depth, but not height, which will give her a flatter basket to travel in.

RC, given your extensive experience with cats would you suggest windows on all four sides?

 

[MaryJanet]

In other news, a finch has moved into the funrun and won't move out.

It must've hopped in yesterday while the door was ajar for Blossom to make her way out again.

Now it's spent the night in the run and discovered what a lovely home it is, with abundant food and water, it just won't be shooed out again. If it calls for friends I'll have an uphill battle on my hands.


Update: I needed a branch in each hand to get that little finch out. My arms were extended so much, even the chickens were horrified. I said, well it is Hallowe'en my little friends! Mwahahahaha!

Anyway, the finch is gone and now it will have a scary story to tell its children.

 

[RoyalChick]

I've heard back from the basket people in West Kilbride (which was fun to look up on the map!) and they're willing to deliver to Australia, but they think it might to be too expensive. They make baskets by hand from scratch, which is the type of work I like to support if I can afford to, and have asked me what dimensions would work best. So I think I'll measure Blossom's cat carrier and add 20 cm to width and depth, but not height, which will give her a flatter basket to travel in.

RC, given your extensive experience with cats would you suggest windows on all four sides?

How wonderful. I do hope it works out and isn't prohibitive from a shipping perspective.
My cats all have different personalities and one definitely prefers no window at all!
But I think most cats being taken into unfamiliar territory probably want to feel safe in a hidey hole, so I would say windows on all 4 sides might be a bit much.
I would think either on one long side only or on one long side and one short side.

 

[MaryJanet]

How wonderful. I do hope it works out and isn't prohibitive from a shipping perspective.
My cats all have different personalities and one definitely prefers no window at all!
But I think most cats being taken into unfamiliar territory probably want to feel safe in a hidey hole, so I would say windows on all 4 sides might be a bit much.
I would think either on one long side only or on one long side and one short side.

Thanks! I'll ask for a window on one side.

 

[MaryJanet]

I've just called up to find out about the pullets and the choices were four or two or wait a couple more weeks.

Four is too many. What if Ivy does a hatch in summer?

Two is too few. More chances of injury from the big four hens and only one friend to grow with while in quarantine.

So I decided to wait a few more weeks, even though it hurt.

 

[RoyalChick]

I've just called up to find out about the pullets and the choices were four or two or wait a couple more weeks.

Four is too many. What if Ivy does a hatch in summer?

Two is too few. More chances of injury from the big four hens and only one friend to grow with while in quarantine.

So I decided to wait a few more weeks, even though it hurt.

Oh dear. I was waiting for news. I think that probably is the right decision. Though four is tempting!

 

[MaryJanet]

Oh dear. I was waiting for news. I think that probably is the right decision. Though four is tempting!

I'm sure four would be too many right now, especially if Ivy hatches a few in January.

But I'm so tempted.

So glad I called instead of driving up there! If I'd met them, all four would be coming home for sure.