The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Marches Farmer on October 20, 2017, 11:55:27 am

Title: Autumn Wild Bird Migration has Begun
Post by: Marches Farmer on October 20, 2017, 11:55:27 am

Seeing small numbers of Fieldfares and Redwings flying West several times a day.  Avian influenza is still rumbling around Europe.  Contingency plans for lockdown might be a good idea.  We have a shanty town of covered runs standing ready in the yard .....

Title: Re: Autumn Wild Bird Migration has Begun
Post by: Fleecewife on October 20, 2017, 12:02:28 pm

Timely reminder MF  :thumbsup:


Here, the wild geese have been flying over for a couple of weeks now, fieldfares and other small birds too.  My worry was more that our Shetland geese would fly off with them, although so far they just watch and screech at them.


Last year it worked so well housing the hens in our polytunnel over winter that we will repeat that this year anyway, once the bad weather arrives.  But yes, we should all be prepared for a repeat of last year's restrictions.

Title: Re: Autumn Wild Bird Migration has Begun
Post by: Possum on October 20, 2017, 08:00:52 pm

Our hens completely trashed the polytunnel! I am not looking forward to a repeat performance.......


There I was, enjoying the autumn colours, and now I have to think about lockdown. The modern world I suppose. (Do I sound old????) :-\

Title: Re: Autumn Wild Bird Migration has Begun
Post by: Marches Farmer on October 21, 2017, 12:06:54 pm

Nah, it's the modern world ..... not so long ago Farmer John might have noticed a few of his farmyard flock of a couple of dozen chickens looking a bit peaky and one or two might have died.  Now there are sheds with 20,000 birds in them and money makes it a big deal.