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LisaLou
Joined: 10 Sep 2005
Posts: 109
Location: Herts
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 Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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Oh dear, I knew it couldn't last! Pheobe has just escaped... 3 times!
I heard a commotion outside so went to the kitchen window to check and what did I see? ... Pheobe strutting about clucking very proudly on the wrong side of the fence!
I shoved a pair of shoes on and went down to where she was stood watching me as if to say 'Yeah? So? Wots your problem then?' like a petulant teenager!
I scooped her up and deposited her back inside the run, the other girls gave her a good telling off by clucking at her in a very cross way.
I came back to the house to get a pair of scissors to clip her wing again in case I hadn't done it properly. Well, I swear the little madam waited until I took my shoes off before executing an almighty leap/flap combo which would have put Jackie Chan to shame and landing, very gracefully I might add, on top of the gate!
Anyway, I grabbed my scissors, crammed my shoes back on my feet and got to her just as she was leaning forward to attempt to get down on the wrong side of the gate.
I clipped her wing again and took a few more feathers than before and then decided to clip the other wing as well for good measure. She didn't mind being handled at all and snuggled right into me as I was holding her. She didn't even run off when I let her go. 'Maybe she's trying to apologize' I thought... but no!
She took a couple of steps away from me, gave a huge flap and a cluck and took off again onto the top of the fence 
So I decided enough was enough and put all three of them to bed in the coop and shut the door firmly behind them!
I think I might have got myself a devil chicken! 
I don't really mind if she escapes into the garden, I was going to let them free range anyway in a few days, but she really ought to wait until she's discovered where home is first, as far as I know she hadn't even explored the coop properly yet
If she doesn't stop it, I will be forced to enclose the top of the run which I really don't want to do.
Ah well, it's been an interesting day anyway, I think I've got some real characters here and can imagine myself making endless 'You'll never guess what they've done now' posts    |
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debcat
Moderator
Joined: 13 Apr 2005
Posts: 8775
Location: Isle of Lewis
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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LOL 
thought it was only me that had strange hens |
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LisaLou
Joined: 10 Sep 2005
Posts: 109
Location: Herts
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 8:04 pm Post subject: |
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| debcat wrote: | LOL
thought it was only me that had strange hens |
Maybe I got one of your hens sisters or cousins! |
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Deb_Moderator
Joined: 13 Apr 2005
Posts: 3661
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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Can't wait to hear all the stories.  |
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summayah
Joined: 14 Apr 2005
Posts: 4289
Location: luton
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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I'm pleased for you now you've got your girls. A couple of bits of advice or knowledge to pass on ~ the white star ~ Phoebe comes from the leghorn and they are flighty birds and like to be high especially when they roost ~ hence her going over your fence. Also when you clip the wings it is best to clip only one I believe ~ I think it's something to do with putting them off balance for flying.
I have a covered run ~ it doesn't stand out at all, but it keeps the girls in and other birds out, which isn't a bad thing at the moment with the avian flu thing. I used fruit cage mesh from a local garden centre and put it over the run and then another piece of 2"x1" screw on top of it. To be honest it was the only thing I could think of that would go over bushes and up and down to different heights to suit the run that the girls have.
Look forward to seeing your pictures of your girls soon |
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LisaLou
Joined: 10 Sep 2005
Posts: 109
Location: Herts
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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| summayah wrote: | | I'm pleased for you now you've got your girls. A couple of bits of advice or knowledge to pass on ~ the white star ~ Phoebe comes from the leghorn and they are flighty birds and like to be high especially when they roost ~ hence her going over your fence. |
Ah now that explains a lot!
| summayah wrote: | | Also when you clip the wings it is best to clip only one I believe ~ I think it's something to do with putting them off balance for flying. |
Yes, the lady at Slip End said something about that. Well, she's got both her wings clipped now and it doesn't seemed to have stopped her so by the same token, I don't think it can have harmed her either!
| summayah wrote: | | I have a covered run ~ it doesn't stand out at all, but it keeps the girls in and other birds out, which isn't a bad thing at the moment with the avian flu thing. I used fruit cage mesh from a local garden centre and put it over the run and then another piece of 2"x1" screw on top of it. To be honest it was the only thing I could think of that would go over bushes and up and down to different heights to suit the run that the girls have. |
You've solved a problem for me there! I was sitting here and thinking how I could enclose the top easily as I couldn't think of a way to fix more chicken wire over the top without it meaning that I couldn't get into the run myself.
I did think of making a couple of wooden frames which could sit on top of the run and fixing the wire to that which would mean I could remove the panels when I needed to get into the run, but your idea is much better since the coop is higher than the fence if that makes sense!
I'll give it a go tomorrow as I would hate Pheobe to get out while I was at work one day and get lost ... or worse...
| summayah wrote: | | Look forward to seeing your pictures of your girls soon |
Hopefully they won't be too long!
Many thanks again.
LL xx |
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Aussie Chick
Joined: 23 Apr 2005
Posts: 2737
Location: Milton Keynes/ Brisbane
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 9:41 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you for the laugh! I'm pleased you heard the commotion and were able to get Phoebe back.
her poor wings, the thing is now she is balanced again as you have clipped both wings she'll fly like neither were clipped! ( i admit i laughed the loudest at this) I love another newbie!! ( i am one too)
Good luck tomorrow, it sounds like you're already having so much fun with them! |
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summayah
Joined: 14 Apr 2005
Posts: 4289
Location: luton
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 10:45 pm Post subject: |
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| you're welcome. I'm a newbie too but I like to give out as much knowledge as I have |
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LisaLou
Joined: 10 Sep 2005
Posts: 109
Location: Herts
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Aussie Chick wrote: | Thank you for the laugh! I'm pleased you heard the commotion and were able to get Phoebe back.
her poor wings, the thing is now she is balanced again as you have clipped both wings she'll fly like neither were clipped! ( i admit i laughed the loudest at this) I love another newbie!! ( i am one too)
Good luck tomorrow, it sounds like you're already having so much fun with them! |
Oh no! What a fool I am, I didn't think about that!
Ah well, you live and learn, at least I didn't clip the front 4 feathers on either side so she looks ok as long as she doesn't flap too much, which from the episodes earlier today doesn't look that likely...
I can't win this one at all can I!
I wonder what time the garden centre opens tomorrow, think I'll be needing that fruit mesh ASAP! 
summayah - thanks again, hope I can repay the favour one day.
LL xx
Ps: I'll forgive Pheobe for wanting to escape after all that hard work I put into building her a lovely run and coop as long as she lays me some lovely eggs sooner rather than later! |
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