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10:26 pm
Supreme Being
Thu 24-Sep-09
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Well, while I have been offline things have been happening good style. If you remember I had a hen who would not stay in the paddock and eventually made a nest in a large rhododendron bush. Yesterday she hatched ten little fluffy bundles. What a job to get her and her brood into the run. She dived over at one point and pecked my bare toes.
Anyway they are safe and sound. The other hens are ignoring her and she is a very good mother. 
I don't pen mums and chicks up any more since a weasel got into a pen and killed ducklings, so they take their chances. Don't know if all ten will make it, but we shall see. There are lots of trees and bushes to hide under to stay out of the way of crows. 
I shall try to post some photos soon. They of course are very cute.
Old teachers never die, they just lose their class
10:56 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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What wonderful news, I'm amazed that she produced ten chicks. I do hope they all survive and that we'll get some pictures.
I'll try that again!
11:05 pm
Supreme Being
Thu 24-Sep-09
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Ill do my best. 
Old teachers never die, they just lose their class
11:08 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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I know you will.
I'll try that again!
8:42 am
Supreme Being
Thu 24-Sep-09
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Still 10 wee ones this morning. She is a very protective mum. 
Old teachers never die, they just lose their class
8:44 am
Councillor
New members
Wed 12-May-10
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send pickies soon
sit down with a cupa and the urge will subside
9:08 am
Supreme Being
Thu 24-Sep-09
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Oh I haven't managed photos yet, been too busy. Sorry everybody. Anyway the wee souls are a week old now and yes there are still 10.
I get a bit worried when folks say things like keep the newly hatched chicks away from the rest of the flock for a few weeks. I don't and the flock are very good with them. I watched a little one steal a piece of lettuce from under the cockerel's beak last night and he just let it. The others steal from them, but mum soon tells them off. Perhaps it is the amount of space they have that is the reason they don't bother. Even the ducks are good with them.
So, fingers crossed they are doing well so far.
Another 3 duck nests, but I hold no hope out for them.
Old teachers never die, they just lose their class
11:03 pm
Supreme Being
Thu 24-Sep-09
Offline
Thought I would give you a quick update on the chickens and ducks. There are still 10 chicks and they are 3 weeks old tomorrow. They seem to be thriving and the other hens are so good with them. The cockerel was even breaking up bits of lettuce for them the other day.
Out of three duck nests, I still have two left with just over a week to go to hatching. However I cannot get optimistic as I know what can happen. So far so good.
The hen pheasant in the hen run becomes tamer every day.
Old teachers never die, they just lose their class
2:48 pm
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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3:05 pm
Sat 12-Aug-06
Offline
What a joy to have such a "together" flock, Danuta. We could not let our chicks mingle with the main flock, or maybe we were afraid to take a chance. Good to know that it can work, as in your case.
One of our girls has gone broody. We considered sitting her on a clutch of eBay eggs but the prospect of having to dispose of more cockerels made us decide against that. We may opt instead for pullets in the New Year. No point in buying them now, I think. we bought the founder members of our current flock at this time of year seven years ago. Supposedly on 'point of lay'. it was a long point. Seven months long 
Never knowingly underfed
11:28 pm
Supreme Being
Wed 30-Dec-09
Offline
danast said:
Out of three duck nests, I still have two left with just over a week to go to hatching. However I cannot get optimistic as I know what can happen. So far so good.
The hen pheasant in the hen run becomes tamer every day.
You lucky thing, Danuta - what a joy! 
11:35 pm
Supreme Being
Thu 24-Sep-09
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Thanks BS ( and by the way you were the only one who noticed 
)
Old teachers never die, they just lose their class
12:01 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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Do we have three Councillors now?
I'll try that again!
12:37 pm
Supreme Being
Thu 24-Sep-09
Offline
Aw, you noticed, TA. Thank you
Old teachers never die, they just lose their class
1:39 pm
Sat 12-Aug-06
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Ooops - I never noticed. Congrats, Danuta. 
See? It fits you like a glove!
BTW, is Danuta a Polish name? I cam across another Danuta elsewhere online today but i had never heard the name before.
Never knowingly underfed
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