[doganjo]

Kamikaze has Kammed her last!
I'd lost track of the number of times I'd put her back in after she had jumped the fence.  I had just been out to put the ducks back in with the chickens, and let Hester and Allez out in the sunshine while I went for a glass of juice thinking all was safe.  What I didn't know was that she had jumped out after I'd shut the gate - I heard some squawks and as I ran to the door Hester ran in with white feathers in her mouth and her tail between her legs, looking extremely guilty.  She had been out with me earlier sitting with the chickens milling around her, when one had jumped up beside me and she lunged at it.  Needless to say she got a shake for that.  So I guess she couldn't resist the temptation with me not there to answer to.  As she went by I looked out to see Allez pick the hen up and start to creep off to one side - very slowly -  he had seen me coming and obviously realised it wasn't a clever thing to take it away.  I yelled at him, gave the recall whistle, and in he came and presented me with KamiKaze - very warm but very dead. 
I then phoned Rosemary as it's a long time since I've plucked a chicken;  she was too busy to help but said there wouldn't be much meat on her being an egg bird and an active one at that!  I tried Sandy but she was out tripping the light fantastic (sorry, Sandy, couldn't resist that! ), so went ahead and felt the breast - Rosemary was right, not much on her so I sliced and peeled and chopped and cut bits and bobs off her and the dogs have a ready meal for tomorrow.
In the process of running to the door I went over my ankle and now it has swelled up.  Trying Sandy's idea of lemon tea to try to alleviate fluid retention.

[jameslindsay]

That's a shame Annie. Sorry but the story did make me laugh. Hope the ankle is better.

[doganjo]

I'm known for seeing the funny side of things.  Ankle still swollen but if I get to bed at a reasonable hour it'll have a chance to go down by morning.  I need to get the umbilical chopped from this machine!

[jameslindsay]

I need to get the umbilical chopped from this machine!

Ditto, I'm up at 5.00am and really should be in bed but I am addicted to this laptop!

[doganjo]

I can't believe it - I had a KamiKaze version 12 - one of my ex batts. KK 1 must have shown her how to jump - I saw her earlier today so put up another level of chicken wire on top of the fence.  Thinking all was now safe, I let Hester adn Allez out - admittedly not thinking I had to check.  I heard a squawk and found Hester round the corner of the house standing over an almost dead hen.  Allez was just standing watching but ready to retrieve when she had backed off.  I yelled at the two of them, killed the hen, removed it and gave Hester a shake and a good bollocking.  She ran back inside laughing and wagging her 12 year old tail and body quite happily!  Allez just sat when he was told so I was pleased with him.  If I can't contain them I'll end up with none left.  Hopefully none of the others have learned to jump 5 feet!

[jameslindsay]

That's a shame Annie - back to the fence building for you.

[doganjo]

I don't know what else I can do - it's a wooden woven panel fence to 4 feet then a foot of chicken wire installed today, round half the run, KK2 jumped on the bit I hadn't added to, so hopefully now it's been done as well, no more of them will try it.  I think they enjoy getting out so much when I let them out each afternoon that they were taking the law into their own beaks.  

I suppose hens have no logic, have they?  "If I jump up onto this wobbly thing, I can jump down onto the nice green stuff.  What's that big brown thing coming towards me?  Squawk.  Ouch.  Where's the light gone?" Goodnight vienna! Duh!!!