Friday, 7 February 2014

Hello ladies!


 




We have some new residents.  Thursday morning our neighbour Jill delivered three beautiful Bantams from her property, where she has them free ranging on her land.  She has plenty to spare and will be delivering another three this weekend.

After clipping the wings (thank you Em and Jason) we let them wander around their spacious new surroundings............and they escaped.  Have you ever had to chase bantams/chickens?  They are fast.  After much commando rolling among the vines (me), Mr H managed to catch two of them, the last one is still missing in action somewhere in the vineyard.

Mr H will finish the enclosure tomorrow morning (higher fencing is needed) and then we can let them out of their holding cage.

So for now I would like to introduce you to Betty (with the dark brown neck feathers) and Roseanna - fingers crossed we get Katy Pecky back.

And we have already had 2 eggs, one of them was laid while on the run!  How clever is that?!

Do you have Bantams?
 
Care to impart your Bantam wisdom on me?
 
Any helpful tips, hints and links?
 
Happy weekending to you!



25 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Ha ha! It does look round doesn't it. It isn't completely round nor eggy shaped though. The other egg is elongated - very strange xo

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  2. Bantams are great fun. In fact all hens are really. The best thing about the smaller bantam eggs is they are basically half a hen egg which is handy if you need to halve a recipe which calls for one egg! Bantams can be inclined to go broody and want to hatch eggs, even if you have no rooster. There are various ways to break the broodiness if you don't want them to hatch eggs. The kindest way I have found is to put them in an open cage with a lid eg upside down cat cage, so that air circulates and cools them down. A couple of nights is usually enough and then they begin laying again in a few days. Just make sure they still have access to food and water.

    As for catching them and getting them back into the house? When I have new hens that have been out of the house for the first time, I take some wheat out just as it is starting to cool down around dusk and call them back to the house, rewarding them with the wheat. They soon get the idea and will be taking themselves to bed before you know it.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for all the great advice, really appreciated. xo

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  3. Oh the girls are beautiful. I hope the little vineyard adventurer turns up safe and sound.
    There's a wonderful little book called 'Free range chicken gardens' by Jessi Bloom that has heaps of useful info on keeping chooks. You could see if there's a copy at your local library.
    x

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Zara, will have a look for that book this week xo

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  4. I have never chased any chickens. I am envious of yours, our back garden is not big enough for chickens and children unfortunately. No tips either I am afraid but good luck, and enjoy the eggs. Cx

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  5. I have never chased a chicken (or bantam!), but if it is anything like trying to herd a cat, which I had to do last year, then I can imagine that it is pretty hilarious and amazing in the ways that they can find to get past you! Hope that you enjoy having them. xx

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  6. Oh boy, yep we have done some chicken chasing at our place, and some wing clipping too. No tips, other than run fast and they may come for porridge. They do go into a bit of a trance as it gets dark and then you may be able to nab them (ours went to roost on the washing line). I miss our girls, we are currently trying to choose between chooks and guinea pigs. mel x

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    Replies
    1. I think Mr H was getting annoyed with me as I was laughing so much. Will try the porridge. Guinea pigs a cute too xo

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  7. Oh yes, my grandfather had bantam chickens when we were growing up. They run fast. But are super cute x

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  8. How fantastic is this! There is nothing better than fresh eggs and boy will that just be super fun to have this furry friends with you all! Your kids are going to have the greatest memories! I hope you find miss Katy! Take care you...can't wait to see more! Nicole xoxo

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  9. Nothing beats the taste of fresh eggs, and you will have your own supply. I am very envious.

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  10. You can see the pride in that egg. Can't wait to hear more about those crazy bantams. Jo xx

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  11. We have had Bantams in the past and yes, chickens can run darn fast and yes, chickens can fly/jump pretty high. Our current group of ladies are regular sized hens and they are a well behaved bunch and don't try to jump the fence very often (you would think that a yard full of 6 dogs would deter them). However, in the past, we have had to clip wings every couple months - the chickens carry on like you're chopping their heads off, but it is okay to do.

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  12. I got the giggles at an escaped bantam. Has s/he turned up yet? We need to give the rabbit more outside the pen exercise, but i am worried about it running away!

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    1. Katy Pecky is still in the vineyard (day 4) we see her at dusk and have been trying to coax her in but she just takes off. Atleast she is still about! xo

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  13. What a pair of pretty little banties. Lots of fresh air, greens and space will help them remain healthy. It doesn't hurt to feed them a little garlic powder in their mash. Worm them every three months with Aviverm but just be warned there's a withholding period on their eggs for ten days. It's wise to worm on a regular basis then you won't end up losing your little feathered friends.

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  14. Fresh eggs are the best. I hope you end up with a constant supply!! Did Katy Pecky turn up??

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    1. Not yet! We see her at dusk though she comes in quite close, but not close enough to catch her. I determined to get her back though xo

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  15. Chickens are lots of fun, enjoy!
    Sarah x

    PS love their names, and don't worry, you'll get more cunning in catching them ;-)

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    Replies
    1. Gosh I hope so, all the flapping about and squawking they do spooks me. Thank goodness for level headed Mr H! xo

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  16. We have keep chickens for 6 years now....it is wonderful to have the fresh eggs..and s great project for the kids!

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