The Poultry Keeper

Alfietinker · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 82 Location: Southminster, Essex

We only got ours on Sunday and as their home was always intended to be in a large run, we built it to be wild-bird proof from the start. All it means for us is they won't be allowed out into the garden occasionally as we had wanted.They've always lived in a pen, and the seem happy enough - I hope anyway.

Timbo · Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 191 Location: Cranfield, Beds.

Mine are out, trouble is I have large hawthorn trees and some bushes growning in the run. I can't get a roof over it.

I plan to cover the bit without the trees and put a fence up inside the run to split it into 2 but this isn't the largest of areas.

I tend to agree with you Fenny that it is probably far more wide spead than we think. Now that this case has been in the media I think more people will report dead birds and the testing will be increased... if it is everywhere then more and more cases will be discovered. I'm sad to say IMO this is the tip of the iceberg.

Work starts this weekend. If there is an immediate risk down south, I will put the chooks into the garage as temporary accommodation or keep them locked in their house. Crying or Very sad

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

well, mine are in a covered run, but they still get to wander around the garden when I'm out watching them.

Choco · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 6 Location: Elgin

All the chickens and ducks are inside today just in case. This has all the potential to turn into another DEFRA shambles.
Keep calm everyone. Lets take sensible precautions now and keep our birds safe. The biggest threat to most poultry is from DEFRA its self Sad

ramshackle · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 16

Just a thought? Why is DEFRA involved in the first place (this being Scotland it should be primarily SEERAD, surely?)

Zooey · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 82 Location: East Sussex

Our chooks have been under cover since last autumn and we actually replaced the tarpaulins with a nice, permanent roof on Tuesday - good timing or what? Trouble is, I was starting to think we'd let them out in the uncovered grass run this weekend, but now I'm not so sure. We're getting the scaffolders back for an estimate to cover the grass run, but I doubt they can fit the job in within the next few weeks. Then I still have to do the actual roof (hubby doesn't like heights). Do I take the chance for a couple of months, knowing we can get them under cover at a moment's notice? I think I'll tidy the grass run tomorrow and see what's on the news Confused

Choco · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 6 Location: Elgin

Are they any more organized? Or maybe they have been by-passed just in case they know what they are doing Smile

Lisa · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:43 pm Post subject:

I'm taking it day by day... and today mine are out in an uncovered run.

fenwoman · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 1:34 pm Post subject:

Bhindi · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 1:40 pm Post subject:

Mine still are enjoying the freedom, and we're able to respond to instructions on putting them under permanent cover if required though a few days till new roost and nest boxes are built..

Im franticly trying to get together as many dandelions in their new coop, slightly more resiliant than grass so hopefully they will keep on growing, I also have put a cold frame in that ive sown grass seed so occasionly i will be lifting it up and letting them have a quick session on it before they get to the roots.

nigel · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 2:37 pm Post subject:

Ours are still out too, we have our contingency plans ready though. I just hope we never have to use it.

Andrew · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:26 pm Post subject:

Good luck everybody I hope your chooks remain safe and the govt doesn't break into its usual, kill everything in site mode,

FW I understand why you are doing all the work you are, but I don't think any amount of protestation even with the evidence to back it up will save you if the men from the ministry decide to cull in your area.

All the best.
Andy

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6965 Location: isle of lewis

i know where you're coming from about the cull Crying or Very sad

,but if i'm doing everything i can Confused

,i'll feel i've done my bit .because of where i live the stuff to get runs cover ect could take 2 weeks to come through ,and if i don't do what i'm told i cannot afford the fines Confused

for not using the proper disinfectant ect and they'll be around here sooner as i'm regestered (no i'm not a busness ,it's just i've got over 70 birds and it would be stupid not to be able to give eggs away Very Happy

or give a cockeral away to someone who wants them Smile

)not panicking just been here before

ps it was a mute swan not a migitory species Wink

suz

Alfietinker · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 82 Location: Southminster, Essex

Just curious - our birds live in a covered run anyway and we're trying to practice good hygiene.When washing their feeder/drinker last night I wondered if I should be using any kind of disinfectant but wasn't sure if any residues would be harmful so I just used washing up liquid. Can I use normal household disinfectant or is there something else I should use?And should I be disinfecting my wellies before and after walking into the run?

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

It would be good to have a discinfectant bath outside the run to walk through as you go in and out of the run. I don't know about washing the food/drink things. I wondered if giving them a final rinse in milton might be the way to go. It's harmless to babies so I think it should be ok for chickens.