MJ's little flock

[RoyalChick]

This looks like a good addition to fencing. Has anyone tried it?

https://digdefence.com/

Interesting. I had not seen that before. Would be good to protect against dogs and foxes I think.

 

[BY Bob]

Today Sarah went into the big run of her own accord while the other hens were out grazing the backyard and she stayed there for an hour or so, nibbling, scratching and looking around. She was eventually chased out by Melissa.

The older hens are very happy to be allowed out of the big run after the long quarantine. Everyone reading this knows how big the big run is, so we all know there was no crowding whatsoever and plenty of options for the hens to get away from each other, if only for a quiet dust bath. But they've very quickly re-established their preference from roaming the entirety of the backyard as often as possible. Today they were out from 11am. It's now 5pm and they're beginning to gather near the run for supper and roosting. Due to professional commitments, tomorrow and Friday they'll be lucky if they get an hour out of the run. But! Then it'll be a 3 day weekend, with full days out and about.

Here's Sarah getting some respite from being chased.

View attachment 4140539

I'm so glad they are finally all together. It's been a long road.

 

[BY Bob]

This looks like a good addition to fencing. Has anyone tried it?

https://digdefence.com/

These look kind of awesome. At 2 inches apart I'm guessing a mouse or rat could get through just fine but it would stop larger predators.

 

[BY Bob]

Interesting. I had not seen that before. Would be good to protect against dogs and foxes I think.

Skunks as well. Predatory cats would be blocked.

Weasels can squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter.

 

[RoyalChick]

Skunks as well. Predatory cats would be blocked.

Weasels can squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter.

Yes indeed they can. Does MJ have either skunks or weasels in Australia?
Probably other more scary things!

 

[MaryJanet]

Yes indeed they can. Does MJ have either skunks or weasels in Australia?
Probably other more scary things!

I mostly protect against dogs and foxes, and I don't want the chickens getting out into the street where they're not safe. The dig defenders would be so easy to push into the sand but possibly susceptible to movement, so they'd have to be fixed in place.

Once a hungry hawk took a swoop and crashed into the run, shook itself and flew off again. Aussies elsewhere have to contend with scarier predators like snakes.

 

[MaryJanet]

I'm so glad they are finally all together. It's been a long road.

It'll be even nicer once they're fully integrated.

At present she's attracting a lot of hostility from Melissa and a little from Katie. It really has been a catastrophic season

Mel should settle down in time.

 

[BY Bob]

Yes indeed they can. Does MJ have either skunks or weasels in Australia?
Probably other more scary things!

Lots of things that kill humans there not so sure about chickens.

 

[BY Bob]

It'll be even nicer once they're fully integrated.

At present she's attracting a lot of hostility from Melissa and a little from Katie. It really has been a catastrophic season

Mel should settle down in time.

I'm sure it will settle soon. It is hard to watch new ladies join in the pecking order.

Lady Featherington is driven to peck the Phyllistines. She will spend time just patrolling the fence line looking for an opportunity to peck one through the fence.

 

[MaryJanet]

I'm sure it will settle soon. It is hard to watch new ladies join in the pecking order.

Lady Featherington is driven to peck the Phyllistines. She will spend time just patrolling the fence line looking for an opportunity to peck one through the fence.