Feeling bad

charlielavin

charlielavin

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I was in the garden the other day watching my 4 lovely girls, and because of where we live on a national trust property we are all on show (I hate it, no privacy :evil: ). There was a lady watching me and started to ask me lots of questions about the hens (she had mistaken me for an employee of the NT which I am not anymore or do i pretend to be!). She was disapproving of my run and said I should take it down. I should explain, our chickens are free range we have a large garden and they are let out every morning. I have the run in case foxes in the winter, the girls can be out and safe and it provides a bit of cover (for the girls and their food) in case of bad weather. She was also looking at the space they had and 'enquired' whether they were allowed to roam all of the area, which I let her know that they could go anywhere they wished! Though I don't think my other half would be too happy if they went into the castle kitchen garden! :D

I was a bit put out, because firstly this lady was quite abrupt and because she also kept chickens so she knew better, but also have I sinned for having a run?? I'm a bit worried as I really don't want this to happen again and keep getting told off. :cry:

I've attached a picture let me know what you think!

Cx
 

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Hi, dont worry what other people think- a run is a great idea- better to be confined in there for some of the time then end up a fox's dinner :shock: Some people are very ignorant and rude- i would like her to tell me what is best for my chickens- i wouldn't be long with her :twisted:
regards, David :)
 
I would say you have provided your girls with the best of both worlds- a dry area safe from predators and the opportunity to roam free range too!
My chickens are mainly contained in large, grassy runs as I lost most of my pekins to the fox when they were truly free range all the time :(
I wouldn't take any notice of nosy passers by putting their oar in either! - I'd direct them to the nearest battery shed or intensive chicken meat rearing centre and tell them to have a look at the welfare issues there :evil:
 
Some people know shite...so don't worry about it! Lovely set up in perfect surroundings for chooks! :D
 
Ignore the old witch---they have a LOVELY chicken area--sun,shade,shelter, weeds grass and trees also a run to be safe in--what more could they want ? Suggest you change the person proof wire for a tall brick wall and put a private notice up! Ros :twisted:
 
I wish I had such a lovely place for my chooks to roam as you have for yours. mine are enclosed in a run and are allowed to range in the garden when I'm home . better enclosed and safe when your not about. I think you have a lovely set up for your chooks. try not to take peoples comments to heart as there will always be people that know better( or at least they think they do :evil: )
 
Ditto the others. All looks good to me. A run is a must when living anywhere foxes or other predators can be around. Its a sensible thing to pop then in there if need be.

Can you put a sign on your fence that says 'Private' on it? I've seen lots of houses on NT land with signs like that near them so people know its a private residence and not a public place.
 
hello everyone,

Thank you for the lovely replies, I am fully reassured now and no old bag can tell me otherwise! :D

I love the idea of a brick wall or in fact a private sign, but sadly the sheer amount of paper work and meetings it would take, it wouldn't be worth it (it all would have to be historically in keeping, even the sign!). The bonus is I get to live in a wonderful place and the majority of people are really positive about the chickens and seem really interested (one young visitor really enjoyed feeding them corn so much, he told me that they looked like they definitely wanted more! :) and knowing my hens he was probably right) so I should fuss too much. The girls are being fine ambassadors and I'm very proud of them! It's just the odd know it all who lets everyone else down.

I'm glad you like the living accommodation, I really tried to get right for the ladies and they seem to agree with you too.

Thanks again for again for being patient with my 'wobbles' and if you are ever in the area come and say hello to me and the girls!

Cx
 
What a rude woman, and ignorant about chickens too. My set up is very similar and I think it'd be very hard without the run, so useful if there's a problem eg a dog loose in the area, or roosters fighting or if you know you can't be back before dark to shut them up. Mine are usually free in the garden all the time, but the run is invaluable every now and then.

I've just got back from Cumbria, if I'd known I would have found out where you were and then gone anonymously and leant over your fence and admired your chickens and set up :D
 
Hi
Your set up is lovely and they have so much space everywere,beautifull location.For privacy issue I would sugest bamboo plants(the foxes can't claim on them) if you can get away with this .They grow tall and your chickens will love it too screening from all those silly people:)
 
Your set up is lovely! I wish my girls had some grass. They have a very large run, partly covered, but they haven't got any grass. Neither have I for that matter - large garden, but no grass!!!! I felt guilty, so resorted to buying them a few strips of turf to eat/scratch around on. They enjoyed it for a couple of days, then got bored with it!
 
Bloomin busybody! I hate people like that!
Your Chook Gaff is lovely, many a chook would give their right wing for such a nice environment.
If Mrs nosey passes again can you send her in my direction, I have a broken loo and with her obviously being a faunt of knowledge she could probably fix it for me too!! :-)......
 
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