Smiler33 Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Great excitement here because when John gets home from work early this afternoon we're going to let the chooks out into the garden. They've been in their run since last Saturday, so really know where home is. I'm undecided as to whether to make a bigger run for them with some plastic mesh fencing we have and join it to the front of the Cube run, just let them go for it in the back garden, or possibly divide the garden in half. Hmmm, decisions decisions! We've clipped all their wings so they can't fly off! Betsy is getting very confident now and almost tried to make a run for it when I was putting fresh food in so they're more than ready. I've also noticed that when I go to stroke her (haven't picked her up yet) she flattens herself to the floor - I read this is to do with once they start laying they adopt the position she'd use if I was a cockerel (enough said !) Mabel still mooches around at the back but I think once they have more room she'll be happier. Tikka was funny just now as Pip, our JRT, comes out in the garden with me (obviously not when chooks are out!) and Tikka pecked her on the nose when she was sniffing through the railings. Poor Pip looked horrified ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Take a good look at your garden now, because it will never be the same again. 3 yrs ago ours was partly paved with wide borders mulched with bark chippings and looked very pretty in the spring/summer with all the perennials in bloom. Now, it is still partly paved - but you can't see the paving because the chooks have covered it with chippings, which means the borders have lost their mulch and are now just mud, all plants below 3ft high having been eaten. Everytime my mother comes over she stands at the backdoor and says sadly ' your garden used to look so nice' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beulah59 Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Camera ready? We want pictures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted February 26, 2010 Author Share Posted February 26, 2010 The girls had a lovely time outside just pecking around at the grass and earth, starting to scratch up dirt, just generally chilling. I was very pleased as they looked relaxed and happy, would go into their for a bit and then venture back out again - just potter really. They even coped with Sam running around, and believe me that's enough to make you want to fly off ! All in all they probably had about 45 mins, they're now in again and we'll let them out tomorrow. Betsy pecked some grain from my (gloved) hands, Peckish was wanting to but oh my, it's so scarey pecking from a giant's hands, sweet girl! Oh, forgot to say no pictures this time but will try to get DH to tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Glad to hear it all went well . It's so lovely to see them happily pecking about . (Keep an eye on your garden, as said before, though . You may decide fencing them in is a good idea .) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Take a good look at your garden now, because it will never be the same again. 3 yrs ago ours was partly paved with wide borders mulched with bark chippings and looked very pretty in the spring/summer with all the perennials in bloom. Now, it is still partly paved - but you can't see the paving because the chooks have covered it with chippings, which means the borders have lost their mulch and are now just mud, all plants below 3ft high having been eaten. Everytime my mother comes over she stands at the backdoor and says sadly ' your garden used to look so nice' This did make to laugh its so true we have a WIR but there are times l let them out and just for that short time you can see the mess they leave behind of course l have the last laugh when l put them back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
