Best liner/ bedding for drop tray

[Kenilchick]

First visit to domestic fowl trust today to check out silver laced wyandottes and don't think I'll be rushing back . Lots and lots of breeds which was interesting but realise how spoilt my chickens are with nice fresh water, a tidy run and lots of attention. At one point I was attacked by a black & white free-ranging cockerel (think it was a polish though not sure). It wouldn't leave me alone as I walked up the path and jumped at me several times . Left me with a bleeding leg through my jeans - ouch.

Is this normal behaviour? Just glad I didn't have the kids with me - think it would have really freaked them out.

Was amazed at all the different breeds but wasn't too impressed to see the carcass of a dead chicken being pecked at by another in the same pen!!

[Egluntyne]

Goodness! I'm surprised that they don't think the cockerel roaming around is an elfnsafety issue. They can be vicious, but to be fair, he is doing his job, but shouldn't be roaming where the public are likely to be.

 

Shame about the dead chicken.

[Lewis]

Its always the banties

We had a little Barbu D'anver at the farm and he'd literally fly at your face + scratch all down your legs. Had to be kept in the run all the time.

 

Have heard a few similar complaints about DFT(standards + dead birds) ... might be worth a letter to the council/RSPCA

Could just be a bad day for them but ...

[ISCA]

Did you mention the dead bird to the staff? In all fairness it may just have dropped dead and I am sure they would have removed the carcass as soon as they knew it was there. Always best to discuss with them first before calling the authorities. None of us would like neighbours calling the RSPCA before speaking to us first. Things like that will occasionally happen when keeping poultry on a large scale.

 

I agree that the Polish cockerel sounds like he was doing a good job protecting his flock but if that's his usual behaviour in an area frequented by the paying public, it would probably be wiser if he was confined during opening hours!

 

The RBT were at the Devon County Show yesterday- very helpful and friendly staff and they had a good range of poultry related products for sale. Sadly I just got a poo s"Ooops, word censored!"er, poop scoop and a small bowl for grit, nothing exciting

[Kenilchick]

I did tell the staff about the dead bird and to be fair she did say she'd call somebody straight away. I have no idea how long it had been there as it was at the back of the run. Noticed quite a few piles of feathers around the place that I can only assume were due to fox activity.

 

Couldn't get them to give me a disinfectant wipe for my leg though "we're not allowed to give those out" - Why??. I made do with a paper towel and some water in the toilet.

[brambles]

Sounds quite a visit. Is it near to where you live? igrew up there and my parents still live there. Although not sure I want to visit if the cockerel's on the loose!

[C&T]

Couldn't get them to give me a disinfectant wipe for my leg though "we're not allowed to give those out" - Why??. I made do with a paper towel and some water in the toilet.

 

Probably correct.

 

It's like other "First Aid" type stuff - if they had given it to you (even if you asked for it), and you reacted badly to it (i.e. a rash or something) you could then sue them. First Aid boxes in the work place don't contain much for the same reason - and why I amongst most others in the work place will have a drawer in their desk full of all sorts of potions and lotions that are shared about quite happily! But as it is unofficial, everyone is happy...

[The Dogmother]

C&T is right, no lotions, potions or pills allowed in first aid boxes.

 

*H&S hat off*

 

Cockerels can often be territorial, Lesley once had one that went for your legs like that.... he didn't last long!

 

Not the first time that I have heard bad reports - years ago there were problems reported, then it got better, sorry to hear that it might have gone downhill again.

[101fc]

I am new to chickens and I also visited the DFT yesterday.

 

I saw the cockerel that you mentioned but he left me and my family alone as we walked passed.

 

There was a young girl retrieving a bird from pen 77 (i think) bit thankfully it was only a crow. The hens had given a good seeing too though.

 

Hoping to get three chickens in the next few months and will be going to the DFT to get them

[Kenilchick]

Glad you didn't have the same experience '101fc'. Don't know quite what it was about me then that he particularly found threatening . Maybe it was my purple handbag!

 

I don't mean to be all negative and hope I haven't said something I shouldn't. I'm sure lots of other people really enjoy their visits. I didn't . Mind you it wasn't helped with a mother-in-law who was moaning about 'no where to sit down that wasn't covered in poo'.

 

I enjoyed seeing all the different breeds close up and there were other cockerels wandering around that seemed quite friendly .

[Redwing]

I wouldnt buy birds from there. they do a good range of equipment though

[Mollie333]

I'd contact the councill..

Sounds like my bad experiance at happy hens.

like Redwing said, i wouldnt buy birds from there.. No point supporting those who dont treat the birds with the respect they deserve.