Reality check

rick

rick

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A friend at work has a 6 year old CLB hen (still laying) that has been on her own for some time and now has to find a new home as they are moving. I know it would be risky moving her and integrating into my flock and it would have to happen soon to allow a good month to get settled before we go away for 2 weeks (boarding or possibly a hen sitter when that happens.)
With care and patience I think I could integrate her if it wasn't for her age which is making me wonder if being on her own now is the only option that wouldn't finish her off.
What do you think?
 
Thanks Hen-Gen,
I think you may be right - unless I can make a semi-permanent separate run and nest for her. Not sure I can.
 
Don't do it Rick, you need to put the good of your own flock first.
 
*Sigh* One of these days I'm going to move to somewhere with some serious space with a super-coop and a mile of electric fence!
 
If your friends have just got one hen left, they would have the common problem of what to do with her even if they weren't moving. I agree that, willing as you may be to help, with your small garden it's not something you could easily take on.
If there's only one old bird to look after, she wouldn't need a very big run. Unless they're going abroad, or moving to a flat, is there any reason why she can't come with them? If there's nobody who can take her, and they feel her time has come, how do they feel about taking her to the vet to be pts?
Do they live near to you in Warwickshire, Rick? and where does Evie live, I wonder?
 
Well there's a thought Marigold! Are you anywhere near Birmingham Evie? (or anyone with space for an old CLB called Erica?)

I don't think taking her with them is an option, unfortunately. They may find someone else to take her on - I left it as a maybe, if nothing else turns up.
 
BTW, Rick, when you go away, a hen sitter would be a much better option than boarding. If you don't have a nearby friend with hens, who could look after yours if you look after theirs when they go away, try and find a reliable local teenager who will do it for pocket money, and train them up beforehand. Agree a price, and say there will be a bonus if you find the job has been done to your satisfaction. Give a date for your return which is 24 hours later than you plan, partly to allow for flight delays, but also so you will probably return before they expect and thus will be able to see how well they've actually been looked after. Much less stressful for the hens, cheaper for you, the right sort of teenager will enjoy the job, and it will be much less hassle for you than dealing with transport problems day before and after your holiday, - not to mention the redmite- or worse- that they are sure to bring back with them.
 
I'm hoping for a hen sitter Marigold - its a bit of a long story:
They are booked in to stay in boarding but I also have to find somewhere for the dog. Our next door neighbour has a friend who has dogs at home - not cheap but he is a sensitive sort. When I rang up to arrange it she (the dog person) said that she probably wont be able to do it as is needing to move house and doesn't know if the new place (also uncertain) is dog friendly.
If you knew our neighbour and the kind of person she would recommend then you would understand my next question which was 'can you look after chickens?' So we may have a house, dog and chicken sitter but I need to line up some plan B's in case it doesn't happen that way.
 
I live further south in Hertfordshire but ducks have made it my way before from up north to meet me at a service station along the M1 ☺️
 
Evie said:
I live further south in Hertfordshire but ducks have made it my way before from up north to meet me at a service station along the M1 ☺️
Click to expand...

I've now got a lovely image of a family of ducks pulling up in their car and asking "Are you Evie".
 
dinosaw said:
Evie said:
I live further south in Hertfordshire but ducks have made it my way before from up north to meet me at a service station along the M1 ☺️
Click to expand...

I've now got a lovely image of a family of ducks pulling up in their car and asking "Are you Evie".
Click to expand...


:lol: :lol: :lol:
 
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