[sabrina]

My birds seem happy enough. Once the ponies go out in the morning I shut the big doors and the chickens get the run off the building which has 5 stables and the front is about 20x30. they can dig in the straw that is kept there. I leave the radio on. I muck out later in the morning and they go back into their stable which has netting over the top . I make sure they have greens most days to keep them amused but once the weather starts to warm up I doubt they will be content to stay inside. Its a lot of extra work as I am cleaning their stable every 2nd. I will be glad when this is over !

[Terry T]

We had a blackbird get in under the door of our pen. My chickens thought it was the most exciting thing they'd seen in a while and went for it. Goldie flew across the pen and caught the poor thing in the air, it was quite a move for a chicken I've never seen fly before. The intruder didn't survive long, they then all chased each other around until they'd eaten it. 
  Not seen any guidance on feeding wild birds to chickens but I imagine it's not the best way to avoid bird flu!

[in the hills]

  oh, goodness.

Couldn't you save it?

[Terry T]

Not a chance.... they are speedy ladies when they've caught themselves a meal.

[Womble]

That's the one plus side of all this....... the cat can finally walk across the yard with a vole in his mouth without being mugged for it! 

[Celli]

My Columbine ( before she was killed by next doors dog ) would regularly hunt fledglings and eat them, it caused no end of excitement amongst the others.

[Terry T]

Another advantage of the chickens being penned is that Frankie the dog hasn't had the runs for 2 months. She does like to snack on chicken poo if she can and it clearly doesn't quite suit her delicate tummy!

[Backinwellies]

Glad my hens aren't cannibal!  Black bird been a regular visitor to our 'wild bird proof' enclosure ... no idea how it gets in or out!

[Penninehillbilly]

Another advantage, if we've all taken it, is we should have the healthiest national flock for years, been ideal for worming etc. Maybe not so for ducks, being such messy little critters ?

[greengumbo]

Thainstone Mart have postponed Spring poultry sale

POSTPONED - Spring Sale of Poultry and Waterfowl, Hatching Eggs and Poultry Equipment. Horse, Ponies & Tack  – 4th March 2017
 
Due to the Avian Influenza outbreak and the Scottish Government movement and gathering restrictions, the above sale planned for the 4th March 2017 is meantime postponed. Any further updates will appear on our website and Facebook pages when available.
See link for further information from the Scottish Government https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs

[doganjo]

Never thought about a radio - I do that for the dogs when I go out, memo to self, buy cheapie one at tesco today

[angie]

We leave a radio on. Friends advised us to use one as they haven't lost a chicken in 10 years to Fox's since leaving one on. 

[YorkshireLass]

We leave a radio on. Friends advised us to use one as they haven't lost a chicken in 10 years to Fox's since leaving one on. 

What station is it on? 

[Dave C]

 

 

[Womble]

Our peafowl like to listen to Scottish Country Dance classics, from "Take The Floor". They're less convinced since Robbie Shepherd retired from presenting though  .

As for the hens, anything other than Fox News works fine for them