[doganjo]

I can't believe I was so daft

I am only getting one egg a day from my 3 ducks (Daffy fell out with Jemima and floated happily off upstream to live along side the Railway line.)  They are changing their jackets just now so I'm surprised there's even that!

Anyway, I collected the egg yesterday morning, put it on top of the shed, cleaned the shed out, put in fresh bedding and water, set up the run and went inside for my morning coffee.  About an hour later one of the dogs needed out and as I opened the door I spotted a magpie making it's way slowly across the garden, flying lower than usual - guess why?  The egg in its beak was weighing it down.  If only I had the presence of mind to get my phone out to snap it!
The moral is - put the egg inside first, THEN do the chores!
I wish my Light Sussex would start laying soon - anyone know POL for this breed?  I'm not exactly sure what age they are - Carol can you remember please?

I'm off up to Callandar on Sunday afternoon to collect my four new ex-battery girls from the rescue centre.  Their own shed is ready for them where they will live for the first week or so then when the new shed and run has been built out front by my wonderful No 1 Son they will move through with the others.  From past experience I might even get an egg or two on the way home - there are about 170 being collected on Sunday but that is a drop in the ocean of lovely hens being killed for no other reason than they have become erratic layers.  I've had ex batts before and they always seem grateful somehow, they 'speak' to you as soon as they arrive - no I'm NOT mad - my very sensible pal has told me they 'speak' as well.  Ex batts have their own website too - http://www.bhwt.org.uk/  donations are welcome as well as retirement homes for these birds
Annie