Clodagh
Well-Known Member
There was a Gosling Cup PC comp in Essex but I think the Gosling family all had links with Devon.
H5n1
- Thread starter Clodagh
- Start date
Errin Paddywack
Well-Known Member
I feel desperately sorry for him but can you imagine keeping ducks in the house.
. They are the messiest creatures going.
. They are the messiest creatures going.
Clodagh
Well-Known Member
I know! I wouldn’t even have them in the garden.I feel desperately sorry for him but can you imagine keeping ducks in the house.
paddy555
Well-Known Member
Clodagh
Well-Known Member
Wow to a sparrow hawk taking a duck! ?I did have them in the garden but sadly the sparrowhawk solved that problem.
paddy555
Well-Known Member
it was very upsetting, we had a few mallards in the back garden on the leat. What the sparrowhawk hasn't had then the magpies have with young swallows and the foxes have with the geese and the mink with my bantams.
I have given up on anything that could be considered poultry. The swallows have all learnt they have to live inside the buildings with me where I can protect them..
Clodagh
Well-Known Member
It can be so depressing.
MotherOfChickens
MotherDucker
Not that anyone around me seems to be taking any notice of the avian lockdown anyway, but it is not to be lifted on the 21st, which is when the free range definition is lost to industry. A lot of the outbreaks seem to be coming from captive birds, wild birds and backyard keepers of poultry. If everyone did their bit, this would be over sooner but people just don’t realise what these control zones mean for the egg industry. And if you can’t keep your birds happy in lockdown, think about whether you should have them at all-at least think about investing in some decent housing.
cold_feet
Well-Known Member
The small scale poultry farmer at the end of our lane has been wiped out this week ?. All birds destroyed. That’s a livelihood shattered. The scale of the operation in terms of vehicles and manpower for a small operator was astonishing. We are in a 3km protection zone, the (locally known as) ‘chicken police’ have been going door to door tracking poultry keepers. Still I see birds out ?. So thoughtless, selfish and irresponsible.
poiuytrewq
Well-Known Member
Does anyone have any idea as to when this might be lifted?
Our hens are currently very happily housed in part of the grain store on the farm. It’s perfect and pretty spacious but obviously will be needed come harvest time. I figured they would be back out by now.
Our hens are currently very happily housed in part of the grain store on the farm. It’s perfect and pretty spacious but obviously will be needed come harvest time. I figured they would be back out by now.
MotherOfChickens
MotherDucker
Possibly end of March but i’d not count on it. AI doesn’t survive warm sunny weather well so as days get longer the risk will go down. Saying that, there’s an awful lot of it about in parts of the country and as we’ve lost the free range status they may keep it longer. The egg producers I know are resigned to this being annual and adjusting housing accordingly.
HappyHollyDays
Slave to a house cat, 4 yard cats and 2 ponies
My little flock have also been in their run rather than free ranging and have done very well with plenty of eggs over the winter but I would love to get them into the orchard. I have been adding lettuce, fruit and other vegetables to their layers meal but it isn’t the same as them being allowed the freedom to forage, scratch and peck in the grass.
MotherOfChickens
MotherDucker
2nd May is freedom day, for those of us still following the legal requirement.
HappyHollyDays
Slave to a house cat, 4 yard cats and 2 ponies
I’m counting down the days until my girls can go out.
Berpisc
Well-Known Member
Can't happen soon enough for mine they have done so well but are starting to get bit militant