[irenemcc]

That wind stripped the felt off two houses and the kitchen roof. I know which is getting fixed first.

[ColinS]

I hope everyone managed to retrieve their temporary bird-shelters from down-wind yesterday. So for today I thought this might be a useful and fun link:-

http://www.buildingsguide.com/calculators/structural/ASCE705S/

 

[Penninehillbilly]

I hope everyone managed to retrieve their temporary bird-shelters from down-wind yesterday. So for today I thought this might be a useful and fun link:-

http://www.buildingsguide.com/calculators/structural/ASCE705S/

 

Now have you got a couple of days spare to explain all that LOL.   

[Celli]

Here's a funny thing, my four year old great nephew was here this morning, he was in the garden and came running in to tell me he had helpfully opened up the chickens pen !.
Cue me belting up the garden, not one hen had stepped outside, I don't think they'd even noticed the door was wide open .
Pen has survived the weather btw, thanks to the man wench screwing it into paving slabs in the pitch dark.

[Eve]

Pen has survived the weather btw, thanks to the man wench screwing it into paving slabs in the pitch dark.

In his jimjams and crocs? 

[CarolineR]

Hello,

Just in case some people are following this thread only, and have missed it, I've posted a thread advertising a free talk on bird flu and flock welfare this Saturday here.

http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=81847.0

(if the link doesn't work, it's a thread in the poultry section called free talk on bird flu and flock welfare available).

It's a talk by Scotland's Rural College/ SAC Consulting Vets, if you are interested in getting more tips and  information during this stressful time for you and your flock.

NB we are not an organisation which put the prevention zone in place, and we are not involved in enforcing the regulations, so this talk and Q and A session will not be a forum for discussions of policy or registering complaints; but, as disease, livestock farming and smallholding specialists we can give you good quality information about bird flu and what the prevention zone means, where to find reliable, clear information and how to look after your flock's health and welfare during the period of the prevention order.

Hope this helps,

Caroline

[Celli]

In his jimjams and crocs? 

God no, the  human brain isn't equipped to cope with that particular sight ?

[Bonzie]

Bird flu found in my home county of Galway, west of Ireland in a wild duck.

[Marches Farmer]

I suspect bird flu has always been around but it's only now, with diagnostic capabilities and the possibility of huge commercial losses from huge commercial flocks, that it's come to anyone's attention.  I saw an advertisement in Farmers Guardian this week for a manager for a new 480,000 broiler unit. 

[northfifeduckling]

Anyone else struggling with the state of the enclosure? I really don't know how I nor the birds will cope with hygiene issues for another 6 weeks. I've never had to deal with so much poop on a daily basis - and that's only the houses! I can't flush the ground as the water has nowhere to go and it's already a muddy poop puddle thanks to the ducks...just wanna cry

[Dave C]

I'm with you on that.
I'm struggling looking at mine, can't stand seeing such a mess.

I've been putting a deep layer of sawdust / wood chippings down in the run.
It turns into mud after about 3 - 4 weeks so I scrape it off and re apply.

Going through a lot though.

[northfifeduckling]

I'm with you on that.
I'm struggling looking at mine, can't stand seeing such a mess.

I've been putting a deep layer of sawdust / wood chippings down in the run.
It turns into mud after about 3 - 4 weeks so I scrape it off and re apply.

Going through a lot though.

Thanks, will try that. Can't imagine lasting more than a day with the ducks, though, but I like the scraping it offf idea..

[Penninehillbilly]

I know it would still need scraping, but would it be possible to put some pallets (or a frame) down and cover with a strong windbreak mesh? They may still get a bit messy but most of the liquid would drain thru?

[ColinS]

I know it would still need scraping, but would it be possible to put some pallets (or a frame) down and cover with a strong windbreak mesh? They may still get a bit messy but most of the liquid would drain thru?

Duckboards in the WW1 trenches were basically pallets and seem to have been pretty handy at making life more tolerable. I have found straw on top of pallets lasts a reasonable time as, although it gets pooped on, at least it's keeping drier and not getting mixed into the mud.

[Ghdp]

I only have a few hens but seed wood chippings/ sawdust on the floor is very sucessful at keeing things bearable. Only 6 more weeks eh!
On the positive side. Having groaned at our last summer corgette we stored so many overgrown courgettes at the end of the summer.  Not only have we eaten our fill of stuffed marrow but the hens get a whole day of entertainment eating one. I am going to overplant this year just to store winter marrows for the hens.