*mummy_hen* Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 (edited) My beautiful remaining girl Florence has spent the last 18 hours as a house chicken. Already we could see the signs of loneliness, she was very nervous of everything and it was heartbreaking to see. Our whole downstairs is covered in sheets so she can roam around and we set her up a little section in our spare room to sleep with her normal perch and she settled just fine. She is now up pecking about again this morning and she seems a little happier having us with her all the time. We went to see the vet last night to ask what our options were - he has said that even though he is now pretty sure it is this virus the other 3 had there is every possibility that she has not had a reaction to it which is something positive. However we cannot introduce new hens as this would be highly contagious and she would pass it on to the other girls. He has suggested the best thing for her is to get 2 female call ducks to keep her company, we can split the house and run in 2 and then eventually hopefully they will all live in harmony. At least she will have some company and that is the main thing. My sister is coming round this morning to hen-sit and husband and i now need to trawl the coutry finding her two little friends!!! Wish us luck!! Hi All, As promised here is a photo of each of the new arrivals and my beautiful remaining chick Florence. At the moment they are free ranging together but seperated (if that makes sense) as Florence tried to give the new girls a bit of pecking yesterday when i let them out together The new girls are doing really well and spend most of their time in the pond. They are 10 weeks old but very tame , they will eat from your hands already and it is only day 3!! I know this is chickens but hope the mods won't mind as everybodies support through this very difficult time has been much appreciated. This is Sylvia - they both have such beautiful markings. This is Pheobe. This is the two of them together....they are so tiny!!! And here is Florence checking them out whilst OH was putting together the duck house on Saturday afternoon. Edited June 8, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Good Luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Good luck, sounds like a plan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Hope it goes well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 I've seen quite a few call ducks advertised on the Practical Poultry forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 What a good idea! Best of luck with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ness3103 Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 aww bless her, good luck with finding her some friends Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Please DONT get female call ducks if you live in a village/town etc. They are just as noisy as a cockerel and scream all day! We saw some at a breeder and were advised to get boys. Sorry but I think you will have more problems if you do this unless you live in the country or have lovely neighbours! Good Luck Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 I will pm you - I was just been asked if I knew anyone that wanted two young ducks - I assume they will be in Cheltenham. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 oh my goodness,. good luck with finding her some little friends Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennyhenny Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Fingers crossed Jennyhenny x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted June 7, 2009 Author Share Posted June 7, 2009 Thank all! By 12 o'clock we had brought home 2 female silver appleyard bantam ducks, they are gorgeous. We have named them pheobe and sylvia(my dad wanted that). So far things are going well, we have split our WIR in half and the ducks have their own house, they seem to all be getting on ok and it certainly keeps florence occupied. We have a tiered garden and the girls are so small OH is just making some ramps for them and then i hope to let them out!!! Thanks for all your suport, i hope my special girl can now live a long and happy life with her two new companions. I know this is the chicken forum but i may sneak a photo of the new arrivals on later!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitbag Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Can't wait to see the photos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Ahh, Im so glad you got her some friends, happy days Cant wait to see piccys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiocciare Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 I'm glad to here your special girl has some friends. Really hope they all settle in well togeather. Looking forward to the pics Very sorry to read about you other 3 girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 *Updated* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Aw, bless, they're very sweet and Florence looks very interested! She will be a bit territorial (hence the pecking) but hopefully as there are two of them they'll settle down soon. Glad your vet was able to help you find a solution to having a potentially contagious chicken! Enjoy your new little ladies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexgirl73 Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 aww, they are gorgeous (I want some ducks!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ness3103 Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 they're gorgeous so glad florence has got some playmates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidygirlsuk Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 You new ducks look lovely congratulations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Beautiful duckies , so cute . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerbluebadger Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Mummy hen - showed the pictures of your ducks to my husband and the first thing he said was I am not allowed any!! They are so lovely I want some Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Oh wow they are gorgeous!! My local breeder keeps trying to get me to have call ducks but want to wait until I have a bigger garden so very jealous of your two beauties! Glad you little girl has some company now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
