Tina C Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 We have now had our 'rehomed' bantams for 3 (?) weeks. They have an eglu plus converter and extension and so far we have not let them free-range. They came from a very free-range existence and used to roost in a barn and also they are still quite young, so we wanted to make sure they knew where 'home' was. As we are having a bonfire and a few fireworks in the front garden later (quiet ones) I decided that the whole set up needed to be turned round so they were further away from the action. There have been some huge explosions over past few nights so I am sure our little fizzers won't affect them too much, but these things have to be done. BIG mistake. We knew that to move the eglu and run we would have to let them out so we waited till near to their bedtime. However, they all got confused by the new position of their bedroom and could not find their way into the run end. Torches placed in the eglu and at the run door had no effect. So we had the 2 babies trying to roost in the beech hedge (made them easy to catch as they thought that if they kept still we would not see them). The bigger three attempted to roost on the too narrow windowsills (until we closed the curtains to shut out the light - it looked a bit like a secene form 'The Birds' from inside). They then settled, with much flapping and sliding and shoving, on the back of a PLASTIC chair on the patio. By this time the fireworks had started going off around us. We left them there for a while, then went out and sneaked up on them. Two people/three birds....however, once Black and Pom Pom were captured Stripe seemed happy to go for a ride perched on my free arm. Once we got them in the run they refused to go into the eglu and spent the night on their perches, even though a neighbour was letting off some of the biggest fireworks ever seen and heard in a back garden. I feel so stupid for letting them out when fireworks were likely to start and we have also made a note to clip their wings before they come out to play again. We discovered that little Bantams can fly to the top of an eight foot high hedge if they have an eglu run to launch themselves off.... But they did enjoy their 'freedom' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 Sounds as if they really quite enjoyed their first taste of freedom with you lol' Glad it all had a happy ending and you got them back into the Eglu run at least. Are they coming out again today/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 they refused to go into the eglu and spent the night on their perches, even though a neighbour was letting off some of the biggest fireworks ever seen and heard in a back garden. Perhaps they wanted to watch the display! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted November 5, 2007 Author Share Posted November 5, 2007 That is what I told Layla they were doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 They can't half fly can they Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 We have neighbours round the corner and we have a field behind us as we are in the country and one of their hens managed to get into the field (over a huge wall (7foot high!!) we were crying with laughter as they chased it in the field for ever and presumed they got it. Later on in the evening they came to the door saying it was roosting in one of our trees (we have a forest) - my husband went out and picked it up no problem so if they had just left it it would have been fine anyway - I am hoping I dont have the same problems when mine come Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...