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Post by Shirls on Jul 4, 2014 18:14:51 GMT
OP - possibly not - but she should not have diagnosed the hen without seeing her and keep sending me drugs through the post that obviosly didn't work. starlingqueen - yes feel a little bit disappointed as it has been such a worrying two weeks, I did think to myself 'what have I done?' how am I going to cope with this sort of thing all the time. jellybean - thank you, yes I am fine, thank you for asking. Yes, Penny was the best looked after I have to admit and I loved her dearly even tho it was only two weeks. I am just so sorry she had to suffer that long.
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Post by skysmum on Jul 4, 2014 20:37:56 GMT
Ohhh im so sorry shirl, that's very sad ![:(](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/sad.png) . Not a good experience for you especially being new to chook keeping, i feel for you. Hopefully things will be all good from now on. Will you replace her or just stick to your remaining girls?.
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Post by Hezz on Jul 5, 2014 1:00:33 GMT
![:'(](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/cry.png) Oh, that is so not good. ![:(](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/sad.png) I am so sorry for you, and for poor Penny. I was certainly hoping a poor start was going to make her a more robust hen but unfortunately that wasn't to be. Rest in peace, Penny. You did the best you could, Shirls.
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Post by Shirls on Jul 5, 2014 7:24:15 GMT
Thank you skysmum. No I won't get another, I don't think, even at this stage, it would be fair to introduce a 'stranger' into the flock just in case it caused problems. Thank you Hezz, must look forward now and hope that the remaining trio won't have too many problems. We are getting very close to the egg laying experience now - what fun!!!
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Post by samwiseg on Jul 5, 2014 7:55:47 GMT
Am so sorry to hear this! Poor little Penny, you did everything for her x
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Post by starlingqueen on Jul 5, 2014 10:25:53 GMT
Shirls, I was just looking at your coop again and remembered there is a problem with them. Firstly please make sure you padlock the lid of the nest box as foxes can get in but secondly, foxes can break into the box by going in through the bottom. Where it sticks out the underneath is a weak spot and many chooks have been killed when the fox gets in using this method. The solution is to stack bricks underneath to prevent access.
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Post by Shirls on Jul 5, 2014 18:28:39 GMT
Ooooh thank you starlingqueen. The lid is secure with a double clasp, but I must admit I didn't think about the bottom. I think further actions will have to be taken with the chooks housing somehow. It's one of those times when you think you have covered all angles and after buying the b****** thing and using it, realise how b****** useless it is! Thanks for the tip. Will go out there right now and sort something out. Necessity is the mother of invention. Have sorted that problem temporarily. Thank you so much SQ. x
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Post by starlingqueen on Jul 5, 2014 19:12:57 GMT
No problem Shirls, just relieved I remembered before it was too late. Believe me there is nothing more traumatic than seeing a fox chomping on one of your babies.
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Post by Shirls on Jul 6, 2014 7:29:36 GMT
No problem Shirls, just relieved I remembered before it was too late. Believe me there is nothing more traumatic than seeing a fox chomping on one of your babies. I can totally believe that SQ. As a word of warning, as I know you live in Kent, my vet said that several complaints have been made about the Benenden and Bybrook Barn 'rare breeds' lady. I can't remember the name of the Benenden place at the moment I shall have to look it up, but if you were thinking of using either place just be warned!
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Post by starlingqueen on Jul 6, 2014 10:20:04 GMT
Thanks Shirls, we got our 2 grey choos from Bybrook barn a few years back. They seemed fine but things may have changed since then.
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Post by Shirls on Jul 6, 2014 11:04:35 GMT
Thanks Shirls, we got our 2 grey choos from Bybrook barn a few years back. They seemed fine but things may have changed since then. Thats good then. I don't suppose they are all bad, its just that the vet said she'd had a lot of bad reports. Btw, do you let your chooks out in the rain? Mine wouldn't have any cover as such, although some places may be less wet than others. And when it has rained, very fine rain, they stayed out even tho they could have gone back to their coop.
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Post by starlingqueen on Jul 6, 2014 11:28:54 GMT
I have a roof on my run so no water gets to them but before we had the run they used to hide under the trampoline when it was raining. I would be careful of getting them too wet as they, unlike most birds, aren't water proof. If they get wet and don't have time to dry before bed they could be cold over night. If you consider they are from jungles, they wouldn't need to be water proof as very little rain gets to them. Chooks don't tend to go inside their coops unless it's to lay eggs or sleep at night. Mine have a Wendy house that is big enough to house 15 chook at least, but they never go inside during the day, to just shelter.
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Post by Shirls on Jul 6, 2014 11:42:09 GMT
Thanks so much for that info starlingqueen. I feel such a novice at this chicken keeping lark AND I researched loads before I got them!
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Post by starlingqueen on Jul 6, 2014 12:03:49 GMT
Thanks so much for that info starlingqueen. I feel such a novice at this chicken keeping lark AND I researched loads before I got them! I know how you feel, I was just like you. I've had chooks for some years now about 6 I think, you need time to get used to these things and pick up info as you go along. Ask anything you want, there will be lots of things come up that you may wonder about. I'll help if I can, it'll be a pleasure to pass on what I have learned from others.
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Post by Shirls on Jul 6, 2014 19:42:20 GMT
Oh thank you starlingqueen. It's nice to know I can ask someone I sort of know. The Practical Poultry forum that I go on is soooo formal and they make you feel a bit like a dimwit!! ![:o](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/shocked.png)
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