[ellied]

Hmm was working at the laptop, peeked out to the chooks as you do, thought for a while and realised that while one was clearly the right side of the wire, 2 were the other side   Went out and the gate was hanging open and the Sussex nowhere to be seen

Found her on the front drive, merrily exploring on her own, and all 3 oblivious to the sound of rattling corn so that wasn't the winner I hoped   Resorted to one arm and a stick to herd the Sussex back and she went in ok tho that must have been an interesting sight for the new neighbours   After that the other 2 were more easily herded as she's the boss, but that was a rather unexpected bit of exercise for all of us..

I was tempted to leave them to it and see if they made their way home at night, but I'm scared one would try the road or my veggies or next door's garden where there's a Westie in residence now.. Think I need to sort the bolt as the post it's closing onto has warped a bit and I think it's come loose rather than me forget   A bit of bailer twine has done the job for now I hope, but they're a bit miffed at my lack of support for their new adventure...

Got 4 eggs today mind, and at least the front gate was shut and plenty traffic to suggest the garden or field rather than road, a bit of me wishes I dared give them the space but I'm a wuss

[northfifeduckling]

it's a shame for them that they can't roam - they will try again to get out now that they know there's a world behind the gate to explore....
People handle these thing differently. I am a wuss, too, and do not let them go completely free - foxes, road , my veg, all good reasons not to. My neighbour's hens come to visit sometimes as they go wherever they want. But she has already lost at least one in the short time she's had them and I haven't....

[doganjo]

Just keep them in Ellie - there is loads of space there for 4 - don't feel at all guilty!  There's stuff in there for them to explore still and you give them treats too so they'll be fine.   Tuesday or Thursday next week for my visit?

[ellied]

Well I compromised and put up the poultry netting as an extra half ring around the gate so they got out there for 2 hours to dig about and only one (the BR) got under and I got her back easy enough so about 3 I went back to check and all but the sussex were back in the pen so I shushed her in and gave them corn, closed the gate and feel very relieved

My housesitter seems to have strimmed their pen while I was away - that or they ate nettles down so it looks a bit bare in there now without the "landscape" to move around things.  I plan to move a few things about and find them new things to make life interesting in there as I can't be around every day to let them out but when I am and it's nice I reckon we may go for a bit of space clearing by chook team

doganjo Tuesday I have the farrier til back of 11 but am free anytime after that which will probably work with your dogwalking first.  Thurs looks clear too so far.. so take your pick