The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: jameslindsay on June 13, 2009, 03:10:57 pm
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We have just had the most horrendous thunder storm with mega heavy rain. The hens just seem to stand in it - should they not just go to their coop by themselves or do they enjoy getting wet? It was so dark and heavy rain there was no way I was going out to put them away.
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Surprised they stayed out in it. Mine stay out in a shower, but go inside if it's really heavy. Hoping to come up with Sandy tomorrow, James!
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See you tomorrow Annie - just typical that my hens are mental hee hee.
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Yes, I ahd heard that! I believe Liz (Craig) says 'no more animals, James' every time she speaks to you
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I keep saying the same myself though. Now have 11 goats, 2 rabbits, 2 geese, 14 ducks, 4 ponies, 7 hens, 3 goldfish, 3 dogs and a parrot. Don't think I have missed any out. I still want a Golden Guernsey goat and may soon get another Toggenburg off Beth. There is a donkey for sale in the local paper today but I have decided No! I fell in live with the Golden Guernseys at the Fife Show and Rosie is half GG and she is gorgous too.
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Yes, Beth and I were chatting on Wednesday about your photos of Fred and Gizmo in the house. 'Does James realise what size they'll grow to' I asked her! Do you? Did you see that big lad they have - can't remember his name. They'll be as big as that. I'd love a pony - have always wanted one, but just don't have enough land or places to ride it. Anyway would need an elephant to carry me lol
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Oh yes I know that they will be big boys. Rosie and Toggi are also biggies. I would happily have the field full of goats, they are such characters and I would never be without them.
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This might be a stupid question, but what do you do with your goats? Are they for milk or do you eat them? My OH loves goats, but I don't fancy doing milking before the school run!!
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All my animals are kept purely as pets. None of the goats need milked as they have never kidded - although R osie the 12 yr old female now needs milked since we bought the 2 boy kids. Her hormones took over and now she has udders the size of me. So, every few days I milk her and either give it to the kids or dare I say throw it away. I sell the duck and the hen eggs and can't keep up with the demand for these. All my animals have a pampered and spoilt life here and I have no shame in saying that. Feeding, vets bills and bedding costs a fortune for them all but who cares - they are all worth it. Goats are knockout pets and I really adore them - go get some!!! :goat:
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As far as possible I like my animals to pay their way and beautiful as goats are good looks doesn't put food on the table. :yum: You never know my OH might talk me round!
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Sandy and I went to collect her two Aylesbury ducklings today - and James' animals are absolutely delightful (as are he and Kenny!) The goats came running to his call, and proceeded to chew us lovlingly, my shoelaces were undone, our blouses and trousers were mouthed, and not a mark on anything - no bite marks at all. They are happy and contented and probably know they won't appear on the extensive and delicious menu. Thanks, James and Kenny, for a lovely lunch and an entertaining afternoon.
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Thanks Annie, you are most welcome any time. :)
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Pets add to your life so the cost is no different from having any other hobby, I definatley think pets are great for your health, shame I have definatley no room for goats!!!!
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To get back to the topic - my hens were wringing wet this afternoon. We went through teh torrential rain ont eh way home, James. The it arrived here later in teh day - and I thought it would never stop. My hens must have stayed out in it as they were 'drookit' The ducks didn't mind, of course. I must get a nice wee pond like you have, James. Could you email me a photo or two of it to show my sons so they know what they are to build next ;D ;D ;D
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I git soaked getting the Ducks into their run as I was worried they would stay out all night, I got them in eventually and hope as they grow they will go into the dry themselves, the chickens are fine in my garden as there are loads of very dry spots. I got in and had a shower and we were just out to sit and watch a film and have our tea when a guest told us water was gushing through the porch roof...so, Steve had to go out onto the flat roof and unblock the downpipe, ::)Nice weather for Ducks aye ::)
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Sandy, I doubt that Charlie and Lilly will ever take themselves off to a dry spot as the rain doesn't ever bother them. I hope they are now at home with you and not causing any trouble with the hens. They should however get into a routine at night, if you put them to bed they should eventually learn that when they see you and you start to "round them up" that that means time to go to bed - if that makes sense?
The weather is crap here today - just for a change ha ha.
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I'm so glad the 2 ducks have settled in with you just fine, Sandy. I'll pick our 4 up from James later in the week, now that we have the luxury accommodation , can't wait! It's a wee bit different here, as they have to get accustomed to their mums and dads before they can enjoy the free range life. Last night they didn't want to go into their house at all, were hiding under the slope at a quarter to 12! They sometimes are funny about going in if they have fresh bedding or if the evening's nice with lots of moths to chase. They went in by themselves all through the winter, though, most likely it's the light. I'm glad I don't have to get them off a pond to go into safety, lol, but I don't know how big your pond is. Ours seem quite happy with their paddling pool and lots of grass. Crap weather here, too, but we're only a few miles away from James. I managed to cut most of the grass before the downpour yesterday, a few dry hours needed now to finish the job and we'll be ready for the ducklings! :&>
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Just went out and noticed the DUcks wer fllowing my Black ROcks around, the Black ROcks seem to like them!!!! I then thought I would open a bit of the chikcen wire that is around my E Battery hens and see what happens, one came woundering around then another 2, when they came close to a Black Rock they started a bit of a fight, then the other 2 Black ROcks ran to chase the Ex Bat and so did Lilly and Charlie, they saw off the Ex Bats as well, I soon put them back in, I shall try again when it is a bit dryer, i keep getting drentched!!!!! I think Ducs certainly can stand up for themselves!!! Oh my pond is small, just enough for 2 DUcks, the funny thing is they seem to like the ZInc bath, now that s small!!!
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We have had lots of rain over the last week and the hens just don't seem to mind and stay out in it! I have just fed them porrige with baked beans, boiled potato, chopped lettuce and cucumber and they went wild for it. I take it this type of treat is ok?
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And I tried them with some prawns earlier and they enjoyed this treat too. :chook:
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prawns! did you mix them with the salad. why not they like bugs and worms so small pink things should go down well with them. you habve posh chucks.
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SUch a peaceful scene outside, I cleaned out the pond and opened up the Ex Battery Hens, all are getting on fine, the pond is filling up, the Ex Bats are making dust bowls and he Blck ROcks have been foraging in the pond water I put all over the soil..Lilly and Charlie are asleep...well they were..in the sun..all are geting on well and I have just used my foot spar, something from ages ago as I had been standing in the muddy pond.....I made marmite and soaked bread, rice and speghetti and they ALL enjoyed that, of couse I had breakfast of Quality street but not sure what to have now? The sun is also out, even Ben and Islay are sunbathing...........Bliss
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It has poured of rain here ALL day, and I mean poured and still the chooks stayed out. By 8pm they were so wet I had had enough so went and locked them up early. Are my hens mental????