Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[Uma]

Most of you will have read my other post about not only loosing one of my beautiful girls who was put to sleep yesterday afternoon, but then lost another to a Weasel attack last night

 

I now have two chickens left, and four ducks. My two chickies, one is an old hybrid, on 6 weekly injections to stop her laying as she get peritonitis badly and would be dead without the injections. The other, is an orpington, Poppy. They are both terrified right now, I have put them out free ranging as their run is not safe. I figure they will be safer out in the open than trapped in their run right now.

 

So problems-I am not replacing the chickens, its completely torn me apart and I can't do it again. Poppy and Ash don't really get on and I know that the kindest thing for them (to keep them safe and well) is to rehome them. But...who is going to take on a hen who doesn't lay and needs regular injections? I am happy to keep paying for them but am struggling to find any sanctuaries etc. in Scotland who would take them.

 

And then the ducks...my beautiful ducks. They sleep in an eglu in the stable at night but I have looked and a weasel could easily get through the gap under the stable door, and potentially into the eglu. I don't know if I can keep them knowing a weasel could get them at anytime, I don't know if thats fair... We are going to try and trap it but I don't know how successful we will be...

 

What would you do???

[Eggasperated]

I don't know whereabouts in Scotland you are but Fife Animal Park took one of my Black Rocks because she was a terrible feather plucker and we felt she needed to be in a large flock with a cockerel. Maybe it would be worth a chat with them.

 

But I understand you are in shock and maybe will be able to think of other ways to overcome the problem before having to lose your pets.

[Redwing]

If the two chickens dont get on I would personally PTS the hybrid and rehome the orp. Smaller mesh over and under their run would do the trick if you wanted to keep them though, all of my runs are predator proofed enough for me not to have to shut the birds in at night, some have small mesh skirts, others have sheets of wire underneath

 

With regards to the ducks some small mesh nailed to the bottom of the stable door should help

[Uma]

Thank you both

 

I, personally, wouldn't pts a hen who wasn't on deaths door, I have brought this particular hen back from the brink about 4 times now and am happy she is so well and living out her retirement.

 

I have found a place (the place I first got my hybrids from 4 years ago) who are happy to take them both and continue with Ash's 6 weekly injections. I am going to give them the eglu with them until they are settled and more familiar with the other housing. It is on an animal park with lots of other hens, ducks etc. but my two will be kept in the owners own garden and introduced really slowely. I'll also still be able to visit them whenever I like.

 

I am relieved that they are going to be ok, but heartbroken about it all. I loved my girls so very much

[Chortle Chook]

It's brilliant that you have found such a nice home for your girls, Uma. Perhaps you will take Redwing's advice on predetor proofing the shed where your ducks are and at least keep them. As you are clearly in shock it might not be such a good idea to get rid of all your pets till you have had a week at least of stability

[Uma]

I am at the moment intending on keeping the ducks. We have ordered weasel traps and will try to catch it and re release it about 10 miles away from here.

 

To be honest the rehoming of the chickens isn't just to do with safety, to be left with a young one and an old one just isn't fair on them. Its tearing my heart out, but this is the best thing for *them* and I need to put my own feelings aside to be able to do what is right for them, not me.

 

So yes, will be trying to proof the stable, but with the design of it its not so easy....

 

Uma x