The Dogmother Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 I know, it's not exactly helpful or 'real life' is it? I think that it probably just means to not encourage them with feeders or nest boxes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 I know, it's not exactly helpful or 'real life' is it? I think that it probably just means to not encourage them with feeders or nest boxes I do that already but I still get all the fat little blighters that pig out on the bird table in the garden over the back fence plus all the crow family the magpies and seagulls that patrol the fields river and allotments that are <2 mins away as the crow magpie and seagull flies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 I have a lake nearby that is host to dozens of geese. They fly over my house constantly, day and night. Nothing I can do about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 After seeing the hens freeranging under the trampoline on the internet somewhere, I'm now letting mine under the garden table, it's solid plastic and on the lawn, I'm keeping them in with netting. Lola is happy on this little patch of grass, thank goodness, as she screams the place down to be let out. If this goes on much longer I will rig something up for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 OH is allergic and I want a big fluffy cat like a Maine Coone. Russian cats similar are supposedly hypo-allergenic but then even so they may not carry that gene and for a few thousand pounds per cat I think that's a no-no. I always wanted a Turkish Van cat to swim with when I was young. Hmmm, maybe a Norwegian Forest cat . . . Number one son is also allergic but he has a cat that is part Siamese. Just the colourings resemble a choccy point but he has built up an immunity, although the cat isn't allowed in the bedroom. I go there to get my fix of squiffles. We have more pigeons now. But a cute little lady wagtail I call Weeble. I likes Weeble. I'z not scaring her off. 2 Canada geese flew over this morning - I yelled "Goway!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Yes we've had quite a few geese. They don't understand when you shout at them, don't know why Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Yes we've had quite a few geese. They don't understand when you shout at them, don't know why Cause they are Canadian eh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursula123 Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 OH is allergic and I want a big fluffy cat like a Maine Coone. Russian cats similar are supposedly hypo-allergenic but then even so they may not carry that gene and for a few thousand pounds per cat I think that's a no-no. I always wanted a Turkish Van cat to swim with when I was young. Hmmm, maybe a Norwegian Forest cat . . . I have a Norwegian Forest cat Valkyrie, and she loves the bath! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 I have a Norwegian Forest cat Valkyrie, and she loves the bath! Envy!!!! My favourite breed along with Cornish Rex.....now there's a cat that doesn't shed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Oooh! How wonderful Ursula123. Noooo poor little rexes. And sphinx cats make me shudder - I feel they need double the love! Ducks not far quacking away today. Must be the guy down the road. Perhaps he was seeing to his at the same time as I was doing my girls - and the ducks were protesting! Edited to apologise for Yoda moment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Noooo poor little rexes. Nothing wrong with Rex cats. The Cornish are big and blocky like a Moggie, just curly. As for Sphinx....I think it's disgraceful that somebody should be breeding cats like this for rich folk with no sense! They have no end of problems.....designer breeds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Confirmed case in Northumberland... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Yes, I saw that. The reported outbreaks seem to be less often now, but those are just the ones which people report. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 Abbotsbury is now clear - which is great news for the swannery. With all those birds it's comforting to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted March 1, 2017 Share Posted March 1, 2017 Well I've kept mine in for the time being. We are having the trees trimmed so as we are waiting for the weather to improve so that the guy can shinny up the oak, decided it best for that to be completed before seeing to anything else. I'll be putting them into the greenhouse until I've set up the extension parts. This is an old link but it'll give peeps an idea of the netting although I think I may have to use something finer or tarp to stop poop coming in from the trees. Certainly can't do much with this awful windy weather! http://www.nottinghampost.com/farm-makes-poultry-effort-to-keep-its-chickens-free-range-despite-bird-flu-regulations/story-30049970-detail/story.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 Do chickens that are kept inside or under tarps need extra vitamin D? If so how can I give it to them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 Ideally they should have clear tarps over the run, but otherwise their feed does contain vit D. A good way to augment this would be to add a squirt of cod liver oil to their pellets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 Mine are allowed out now and do have clear tarps. I keep a couple in my stable they were very badly bullied. I will get them some cod liver oil. They have artificial lighting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 more birds to be culled in Suffolk http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-39155860 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Do you think we are getting close to no new outbreaks? Haltwhistle seems to be the last one in February? Oooh I hope so! Edited to add I was looking at old Country Smallholding magazines as an attempt to stop hoarding! Found that the same strain was with us in the winter of 2015. Luckily there was only one outbreak but although it was in Europe it wasn't as devastating as this winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 hopefully but we'll have to see what the spring migration brings but that said I think the UK got of light really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...