quickcluck Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 ......... and they really enjoyed it...... they were out for 4 hours in the end and managed to trash all my begonias I think it was pay back for the wing clipping that preceded the walk about!! Never mind. Coops was really great with them, there was NO chasing or biting, he just followed them round like a love sick puppy drooling alot Was waiting for Harriet to peck him on the nose as she does through the run, but it wasn't to be! They went back in for a feast of mash and veg which the gobbled as even though I put food and water in the garden they were too busy to stop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs chook Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Aw that's lovely! Sounds like a successful free range on what's been a lovely afternoon. Your doggy looks lovely too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maccbean Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Congratulations! We've been talking about our girls being let out to freerange, but it hasn't been done yet, I think (know) it's because we're avoiding the wing clipping part Our two legbars and comet sussex aren't happy about being touched (when we can catch them) which doesn't help. Also we have two very boisterous chocolate labradors who jump up at the run and sometimes bark at the girls and I'm worried they'll be mean to the girls. Anyway, perhaps we'll clip the wings and let them out tomorrow...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 How lovely . It's great to see them enjoying their first taste of freedom . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 We clipped all 8 pairs of wings today (got our new chooks) and let them free range. Very funny to see them flap their wings and the vertical motion to be about 0.00001mm. I felt a quite mean though! All credit to my better-half who did the snipping whilst I held them rugby-ball style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted September 21, 2008 Author Share Posted September 21, 2008 Hi Macbean!!! I understand how you feel about the wing clipping, It's definately a 2 man job. But wasn't nearly as bad I thought. It took about 45seconds per bird!!! I held and my OH clipped. We just did it with scissors which was fine. I've no idea if we took enough off, but there wasn't any flying going on! Plus they didn't make it from one end of the run to the other when they got up this morning, so it must have done something! Give it a go, and keep us posted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Glad your fist free range went well. It's really good to see them enjoying their freedom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maccbean Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Hi Quickcluck Well, I took your advice, and we did it today. I checked out the photo in the book I have, and I must admit I was still terrified, but when I started clipping, the feathers really showed me where to go. So the girls got to free range (with the dogs safely locked in the house, they can meet later). They pooed all over my decking and trashed my pathetic tomatoes, but hey who cares. They spent about two hours wandering round us, whilst mum and dad came for coffee, it was really lovely. The funniest incident was when Erica (top of the pecking order) jumped on the table and dunked the whole of her head in my cappucino , I don't know who was more shocked. I nearly peed myself laughing . I still drank it though, cos you can't waste a good coffee! Thanks for posting and getting me to move on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted September 21, 2008 Author Share Posted September 21, 2008 Oh well done!!! So pleased you took the plunge! Am hoping that it wasn't as bad as you thought and well worth it when you see them charging about in the garden!!!! did you manage to get any pics??? Ours came out again for a hour today, and trashed what they missed yesterday. However only 1 egg today think they were too busy to eat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maccbean Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 In my excitement I completely forgot to take photos, oooh I could kick myself! Ah well, yes, it was worth it, even the loss of my poor tomatoes! Only two of mine are laying so far, so hoping I'll still get two eggs anyway. Cheers again, another happy owner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
