Ribh's D'Coopage

[Ribh]

How worrying! Those bubbas are so adorable! I hope everyone stays safe.

Thanks, Lozzy. I am doing my best but some things are beyond my control.

 

[RoyalChick]

The mammas have started taking the babies out of the coop ~ but never without me being right there!​

View attachment 3980064

They are pretty vigilant but Mrs Currawong knows the babies are there.​

View attachment 3980066

Today we had 2 scares.
The 1st did not involve the babies who were securely penned.
My neighbours have 2 dogs, a wolfhound X who will be the size of a horse & a foxie. I'm not a fan of foxies; small, yappie, bitters. The wolfhound is a big sook.
They are left securely chained when the neighbours leave for work but somehow or other today the foxie slipped his collar & came after my chickens! I was alerted by the Wolfie, who knew his brother should not have been in my yard. Leonard, Ha'penny & Portia had put a fence between themselves & the dog. China had gone through the other fence & was hidden in the long grass but India, the most skittish , timid & panicky of my bigger birds was trapped & being hounded to & fro by the mutt. I grabbed the rake & armed & dangerous I told the little invader just where he could go ~ & go he did. I knocked up the kids, who were home, & between us we got the dog back on the chain.​

View attachment 3980072

When it starts to cool off I open up the coop so the mamas can dust bath & graze & get the chicks used to the big wide world.
The hens have about 1/3 of the backyard ~ all of it presently as the gate is yet to go on, so plenty of room & the bigger girls were along the back fence. The chicks were hanging around the coop & the 4 mamas were a little distance away. Up in one of the big trees Mrs Currawong was watching. Suddenly not only Leonard but all the big girls let out a warning. I leapt to my feet. The 4 mamas came hurtling towards the chicks & coop. The big birds formed a semi circle to keep the currawong in sight. The mamas made inside the coop but left the chicks outside, thinking they were safe inside as they'd got behind the wire door. I scooped them up & popped them in with their frighted mamas but I am going to be a cot case if this goes on!
At least for now everyone is safe & I have had my cardio workout for the week!​

Scary! I had to look up Currawong, would it attack a chicken?

 

[Ribh]

I had to look up Currawong, would it attack a chicken?

Yes. They will take eggs & young chicks from other bird's nests.

 

[Ribh]

I've been trying to get a decent pic of these 2 for a couple of days.
Those of us who've kept frizzles know wings are generally a dead giveaway so I've been keeping a close eye on these two!
Lookee! Lookee!
The wings are standing out from the body & the tips appear to be curling! I am so excited!

 

[LozzyR]

@RoyalChick , how is Nightshade doing?

 

[RoyalChick]

@RoyalChick , how is Nightshade doing?

Oh he is thriving!
Thank you for asking. He is full of beans and has been catching mice in the house (thank you Nightshade). No issues it seems - no infection, no bleeding, no choking, and the histology was benign. I cannot tell you how happy I am that he did so well as I really thought I would lose him.

 

[LozzyR]

Oh he is thriving!
Thank you for asking. He is full of beans and has been catching mice in the house (thank you Nightshade). No issues it seems - no infection, no bleeding, no choking, and the histology was benign. I cannot tell you how happy I am that he did so well as I really thought I would lose him.

I’m so happy that he is ok. How old is he? Our Burmese Jasper is 18 today!

 

[RoyalChick]

I’m so happy that he is ok. How old is he? Our Burmese Jasper is 18 today!

He is only 12. So not a youngster but should carry on cuddling for some more years!
Good for Jasper.

 

[BY Bob]

The mammas have started taking the babies out of the coop ~ but never without me being right there!​

View attachment 3980064

They are pretty vigilant but Mrs Currawong knows the babies are there.​

View attachment 3980066

Today we had 2 scares.
The 1st did not involve the babies who were securely penned.
My neighbours have 2 dogs, a wolfhound X who will be the size of a horse & a foxie. I'm not a fan of foxies; small, yappie, bitters. The wolfhound is a big sook.
They are left securely chained when the neighbours leave for work but somehow or other today the foxie slipped his collar & came after my chickens! I was alerted by the Wolfie, who knew his brother should not have been in my yard. Leonard, Ha'penny & Portia had put a fence between themselves & the dog. China had gone through the other fence & was hidden in the long grass but India, the most skittish , timid & panicky of my bigger birds was trapped & being hounded to & fro by the mutt. I grabbed the rake & armed & dangerous I told the little invader just where he could go ~ & go he did. I knocked up the kids, who were home, & between us we got the dog back on the chain.​

View attachment 3980072

When it starts to cool off I open up the coop so the mamas can dust bath & graze & get the chicks used to the big wide world.
The hens have about 1/3 of the backyard ~ all of it presently as the gate is yet to go on, so plenty of room & the bigger girls were along the back fence. The chicks were hanging around the coop & the 4 mamas were a little distance away. Up in one of the big trees Mrs Currawong was watching. Suddenly not only Leonard but all the big girls let out a warning. I leapt to my feet. The 4 mamas came hurtling towards the chicks & coop. The big birds formed a semi circle to keep the currawong in sight. The mamas made inside the coop but left the chicks outside, thinking they were safe inside as they'd got behind the wire door. I scooped them up & popped them in with their frighted mamas but I am going to be a cot case if this goes on!
At least for now everyone is safe & I have had my cardio workout for the week!​

Wow! Tough day. Great job keeping them all safe.

 

[BY Bob]

I've been trying to get a decent pic of these 2 for a couple of days.
Those of us who've kept frizzles know wings are generally a dead giveaway so I've been keeping a close eye on these two!
Lookee! Lookee!
The wings are standing out from the body & the tips appear to be curling! I am so excited!
View attachment 3980113​

Wooohooo frizzles!