The Poultry Keeper

pete.a · Joined: 24 Dec 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Chepstow

Well, I decided to take the advise given and on Saturday evicted the 2 young Buffs from the greenhouse. Cleaned the place from top to bottom in full view of the youngsters, who did not give up easily I might add, as they crept back in whenever I left the place unattended. Once finished I put the lock on the door and I'm sure they sensed that there was "no going back".

At 4-30 in the afternoon the relocation plan went into operation.
Put the 2 Frenches and the 2 Speckled to bed and waited for darkness.
By this time the 2 Buffs were in the secure holding pen next to the sleeping quarters.
At 5-00 o'clock I pushed the Buffs into the sleeping quarters and waiting for any reaction.
After a bit of a kerfuffle they returned back into the pen but appeared none the worse for their first visit.
I pushed them back in, blocked their exit with the hatch and waited. No noises so waited 10 mins or so and then removed the hatch.
Went out every 30 mins or so until 21-00 hrs to check but they didn't come back out.

Next night I had to push them back in, but they did stay in and by Wednesday they were going in themselves as if the place belonged to them.

It also seems to have brought the 2 groups closer together as they now flock during the day and the youngsters don't seem to get chased as they did before.

Good news you may think !! But even better news.

First egg arrived Wednesday. Second one on Thursday. By the color of them it looks like one of the Speckled has started.

Got to go out this weekend and buy the good lady a wicker basket to collect them in.

So as you can see "it's been one heck of a week".

Thanks to everyone for the advise and support I'm sure I'll be back soon with another question.

Regards

Pete

debcat · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 6:59 pm Post subject:

I am so glad it went ok Very Happy

and eggs as well
Shocked

what a great week Very Happy

Lisa · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 7:08 pm Post subject:

Good news is always great to hear - but double good news, including your first eggs!! Well, it doesn't get much better than that Razz

Wishing you lots and lots of yummy eggs!

jaydee67 · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 7:15 pm Post subject:

WEll done - we have an egg basket too! lol! Although mine came from a charity shop. Think it might have held a posh flower arrangement once.

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7424 Location: isle of lewis

well done and congrats on the eggs Very Happy

suz

Aussie Chick · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 8:11 pm Post subject:

Brilliant....glad its going well!

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

One heck of a week! But a fantastic and positive one!

I want one of those baskets - where do you get them from?

I currently shove all the eggs in my coat pocket. Not the romantic country ideal I had imagined!!!
In fact not having a basket led to my first downfall today. I found my first white egg in a few weeks (yippee) while mucking out so instead of putting in my coat (incase it got broken) I put it on top of the run nestled nicely in the corrugated roof. When I finished - I went to collect it - and it had Gone! I wasn't more than 10feet away from it at any one time. Bizarre! I was beginning to think I had imagined it. But on the way back up the garden found a smashed white egg. Have no idea what happened to it.
But it just shows I really NEED (want) a basket!!!

Debs

NannyP · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 9:50 pm Post subject:

I bought a lovely egg basket at last years North Devon show, just in time for my egg count to start dropping as hens either went broody or into moult Shocked

It's a little too big for one or two eggs, but will go well in my new French kitchen (I hope )
Laughing

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

Are they actually called "egg baskets" then?

Might try the old faithful!! EBAY!!!

CP · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 1:31 am Post subject:

So glad you had such a wonderful week pete! Very Happy

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

excellent weekly diary pete ~ I'm so pleased your girls are all happy with the move.