chickenopolis Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 Our two girls have been in their run for the last few weeks due to heavy rain and then the much loved snow (not...). Getting up this morning, even thought it is still raining, the snow in the garden is going and the girls can at last see some grass. They were pacing backwards and forward this morning, so after some porridge and mealworm breakfast I let them out for a wonder about. They were bok bokking like mad when I opened the run door, but after rootling about they obviously got quite wet, so even though they were only out for about 10 minutes, I put them back in the run - and now we have pacing and head flicking (to get rid of the rain). How has everyone else coped? I feel like a bad chicken mummy, as they want to come out, but they will get so wet. Am hoping tomorrow's promised sunshine appears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 Your not a bad chicken mummy its just the weather thats all. xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 Mine have been going stir-crazy too. I let them out for 3 hours yesterday in the end, and they enjoyed it a lot. Otherwise it has been 1/2 hour a day. Today and tomorrow we are busy at our wildlife site so they'll be shut in whether they like it or not. But they have got plenty to scratch at and do in the run. They have a whole bale of Hemcore on the floor that they can move around to their little hearts' content, plus an assault course which they are getting better at with practice. You aren't a bad chicken mummy at all. This weather has been terrible, and they have palatial accommodation compared to most chickens in the World. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 Yes not sure if mine prefer the snow or rain now! Probably neither. The snow was too cold but they did find a thawed spot under a nearby hedge but I did a couple of times carry them back in as they started to sit and puff up to keep their feet warm. Although they were stir crazy to get out once they were they were also happy to go back in as well. One hour out was the limit. I didnt mind as it meant I didnt have to sit and fox watch them. I just kept putting the odd s"Ooops, word censored!"s in the run to keep them amused Now we are expecting 10 cent!! indie They are now out in the rain as its the first time they have seen the grass again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 What did you make your assault course with ? I am dreading work on monday as i'm not sure how i'll keep Evie separate then, perhaps i'll put her in the rabbit run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 Mine have just played out for an hour whilst I smartened up the Eglus and cube. They went bananas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 Mine just got out too, for the first time in weeks . They had a lovely time while I cleaned the eglu and got rid of some of the soggy, disgusting Easibed . More to do tomorrow but I must say it was very satisfying getting the chance to clean it all out properly . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 Mine have just played out for an hour whilst I smartened up the Eglus and cube. They went bananas. Mine did too. Dashing round the garden with head down, leaping several feet in the air, jumping in front of eachother, flying several feet Really funny to watch. I threw them some spaghetti to calm them down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 Mine too were able to go out for the first time in weeks too and were running around the garden like idiots The run was in a dreadful state though, so after they went to bed, we went out with a lantern and cleaned out the run. Cube tomorrow, weather (and broody Grace ) permitting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 just great to see them doing chickeny things again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackthelad Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 My 3 were pacing up and down also,so we let them out tney could not get out of the run door fast enough and then dug a big hole under my bush to bath in!! they are funny !. When I went out as it was just going dark to usher them in Bella crouched for the first time, i'm so eggsited can't be long now before my 1st egg. Hubby has also spent all day fixing wire onto my new WIR. What a good chicken weekend!!....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 Hope you are going to post pictures of the progress with your WIR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelbel Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 My girls are having the most lovely day after weeks of being confined to barracks (mostly their choice not mine)! The snow virtually vanished overnight on Friday but they only had a bit of FR time yesterday as it was raining and sleeting off and on most of the day. But today - it's a totally different kettle of fish - they've had full access to all the garden for a good couple of hours while I did a good old clean of the house and run. They had a right old time scratching in the borders and pecking at the grass. So I was a lovely chook Mummy; I moved the post of part of their fenced off section of the garden so they have a bit of grass to rummage in when semi FRing. No telling me off for letting them get a bit more of their own way. The sun is out and there is some heat in it - all's well in the world. Well nearly - I took 6 eggs out with me last night to give to a pal. Other pals very pee'd off (and very impatient for their promised Sunday breakfast), with every subject turned to eggs (or the lack of) and much mickey taking going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 What did you make your assault course with ?I am dreading work on monday as i'm not sure how i'll keep Evie separate then, perhaps i'll put her in the rabbit run. I have a number of logs in the run, and have built a mezzanine just outside the entrance to the cube. They can go up one of the logs, onto the ladder of the cube, across to the mezzanine, and down another tree-stump with twigs still on it that is leaning up on the mezzanine. They couldn't do the down bit to start with, but now they are practising and it is getting easier for them. They were furious today as we were away from home all day and they didn't get out at all! Tomorrow they will be spoilt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 Mine were allowed out today as well and they loved it, scratching around in soft (albeit soggy) soil with temperatures of over 8 degrees! But as soon as I went in the WIR for anything, they followed me for treats Now the snow's gone, I've discovered a benefit of keeping them in the WIR for 4 weeks with only 10 mins FR in the borders a day... I HAVE GRASS!!!! Not much but the definite green shoots of recovery So they're now definitely confined to the borders by garden mesh staple to wooden stakes Ursula was the only one to breakthrough - to follow me around for treats hehe. No stopping that girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharLeila Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 docsquid, sounds great. Any pictures? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
