All ready.

[Stapfam]

For the last week I have been extending the run for the bantams.When the weather and wife have allowed- I have been working solid all week to get it finished. Well the run is done- Coup still needs finishing touches but tonight we put the bantams in their new run in their old coop. Gonna be fun in the morning when I lket them out so I'll post pics tomorrow.

 

[chrismahon]

If they are like ours they will be darting and flying about everywhere. Have you put some perches in that run yet Stapfam? We've got one in ours and they use it all the time. Effectively increases the size of the run as it becomes 3 dimensional.

 

[Marigold]

Yes, mine have a perch overlooking the garden that they hang out on much of the time. I've never been able to take a pic of them because they jump off when they see me coming, an case something exciting is going to happen!

 

[Stapfam]

6am and we were up to watch the release into the new run.took a couple of minutes before they settled down for a photo shoot but

They were manic but the new run is over where the old cage had been. it took several more minutes before the ventured off the dirt and onto the grass area but they are exploring every thing now.

Have set up a climbing frame for them

and it is only a couple of branches screwed together but feel certain they will be on it shortly.

The run is 10' x 8' and is adjacent to the big girls run. Funny seeing a 6week old bantam posturing up against the full size ones so it may be possible to run them together eventually. These chicks will be able to stand their ground when they are old enough.

That area of bare soil is where the run had been till I had to move it a few days ago. Mum is spending a lot of her time on the dirt scratching so I think she has been missing the bugs that were not on the grass where they were temporarily put. The run is up-safe and running- just some tidying up to do on the outside but the new coup still needs finishing. Be a few more days before I get round to that cos after a couple of weeks building this----I need a rest.

 

[Marigold]

That looks very impressive, Stapfam - lucky birds. Hope you enjoy watching them settling in today- get out the lounger and enjoy the sunshine that's promised for once!

 

[Stapfam]

Pic of the overall setup---I need more garden.

Still work to finish off but that will be done in the next couple of days.

 

[chrismahon]

Doesn't matter how big your garden is you always need more Stapfam. We had two Wyandotte bantams and they bullied the Orpingtons terribly. The two bantams from the 'drive by dumping' were terrible bullies as well. So perhaps not worry about the bantams but the large fowl they are going in with as stress means fewer eggs and sick hens.

 

[Stapfam]

The intention is to keep the bantams in their own run. Their 8' x 10' area will also accommodate a quarantine area that can be opened up if it is not in use but past experience has told me that I need that quarantine area occasionally and without it- the birds could suffer. Blooded birds- new birds or birds that just need a break. No work done today as I was helping out at the local school fete on the plant stall. I now really need a rest from everything so no work will be done tomorrow either.