The Poultry Keeper

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

That sounds like an excellent arrangement, Stamina. I hope Jan can do the same

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2133 Location: North Cornwall

Hi Stamina, we have been thinking along those lines and have been looking at the cattle yards to see what can be done. I have about 20 ducks that will be very hard to part with and two that will be impossible and will have to be kept no matter what. I have five rearing pens that can be brought up from the lake and stood in the yard and covered to start with while we sort things out. Failing that I will try keeping a few long term in the rearing pens. Don't know how well they will cope though as they have never been housed. The bird proofing in the yards will be a nightmare to do, but I can keep our visitors away from that area leaving the lake for them to use.
All the ducks are feeding well under the cage and I think we will catch a lot of pheasants as well judging by the number feeding there to day.

jaydee67 · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2006 11:20 pm Post subject:

Good luck Jan!

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

Good luck Jan, I hope they continue growing in numbers coming to feed.

Issy · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 371 Location: somerset

Good luck Jan. Fingers crossed for you.

stamina · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:16 am Post subject:

Hey Jan, there's always a silver lining. Smile

Catch the pheasants up and pen them 7/8 hens to the cock,
you can sell the eggs 60p each, you should get about 40 eggs from each hen. I think there may be a shortage this year, 'cause
most eggs and day old pheasants come from France.
Good luck
Stamina Wink

(There I go again, always tryin' to make an honest shillin' Rolling Eyes

)

jooles · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:14 am Post subject:

Good luck Jan. It sounds as though Stamina's solution is going to work a treat. I hope you find a way of housing at least some of your ducks.

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2133 Location: North Cornwall

Thanks for that Stamina, as if I haven't got enough to do. Laughing

Daren't tell OH what you suggest, he'll be making pheasant pens before chicken runs.
Had a rotten couple of days and only a dead calf to show for it Crying or Very sad

Going to start the tunnels tomorrow, thats if we dont have any more cows start calving

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

Sorry to hear about the dead calf ~ you certainly have your hands full at present. Take care

Issy · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 371 Location: somerset

Sorry to hear about your calf - it never rains when it can pour Sad

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2133 Location: North Cornwall

Thanks girls, but did get a live one out last night although a bit touch and go. Only 1 more in this batch and all heifers Very Happy

. 2 alive and the I above died at 2 days. Crying or Very sad

Just couldn't get it going. Sad

CP · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 5:18 pm Post subject:

Awww that's a shame Jan. Crying or Very sad

stamina · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 6:00 pm Post subject:

Trouble is Jan, when we have livestock, we always have dead stock. An old saying but very true. We've all been through it and it never gets any easier. Believe me I've been there, done that and got the t-shirt, Chin up girl Wink

.
On the bright side, you'r gonna' have a whole load of extra milk from them ther' 'effers. Very Happy

Good luck
Stamina

stamina · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 3:23 pm Post subject:

Hey Jan
You seem to be very quiet down there.
How are the birds feeding?
Are you ready to start catching yet, or is all your time taken up with cattle?
Keep us posted, we've all got our fingers crossed for you,
Stamina.

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2133 Location: North Cornwall

Hi Stamina, haven't had time in the last few days to look at TPK. Calves coming from all sides. Have a look at my new baby in the smallholder section. My first Highland calf, heifer and black, or will be. Everything on the wish list, but had a devil of a time getting her to suck but think shes up and running now Very Happy

Doing the duck cage tomorrow if nothing else gets in the way. I will post a pic of it finished.
Hope all is OK with you