Third fox strike in 7 months.

chrismahon said:
Yes just 6 weeks Sue, but I'm over in 4 setting up all the coops. We've got an internet provider sorted apparently so I won't be quiet for too long -perhaps a month. Just got to get used to the new Mac laptop -we've ditched Microsoft forever.
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I'm sure you'll like the Mac laptop, Chris! That's what I use now and it didn't take long to get used to the basics, but I'm still learning about a lot of it and I've had it since Christmas! As long as you've got a good broadband supplier (I wish!!!) it will be great!
 
Didn't give her anti-infammatories Sue after Arnold had a heart attack shortly after finishing his course.

Bumble has responded well to the extra feed and is in the kitchen tucking in to an egg. Her body temperature seems rather high and she is panting occasionally. Hopefully it will settle when it gets cooler tomorrow.

Internet may be a bit of a joke over there -depends on the local network. It's included in the phone package with unlimited European calls for €41 (£32) per month -yes it really does work out just over half the cost of BT, as our bill is £160 per quarter! Probably a good reason for that.
 
She's so much better this afternoon. Now keeping her crop full with several large syringes of rearers pellets in water every day. But she is eating egg and cherries on her own. Less travelling backwards so her neck must hurt less. Took her into the Orchard and put her on the compost heap where she slowly gave herself a soil bath. Now ordered a small cage for her separated transport to France -don't think going in with Merlin will be a good idea.
 
Usual problem now Margaid. The Baytril has wrecked her digestive system flora and well have to see if just probiotic yoghurt will help or if we need to get Beryl's. At the moment she's eating loads but not digesting it much. She walked over to Merlin today to say hello -they were quietly talking to each other, how cute is that!
 
Karminski is right. The fox likes well rotted meat. So rotted in fact that it called in today at 7.15pm and took the first carcass from 3 weeks ago- well tried to as the foot fell off and it left with that. The one week old one is still hanging in the trap untouched. TNN's were going crazy. I switched off the electric line a week ago and it came in between the wires and the top of the wall. It's getting more confident coming in that early that way. Hopefully too confident.

Bumble is still improving but the damage to her neck means she can't preen and she is in full moult. We can't leave her like that forever, so if it doesn't improve enough we have a difficult decision to make. But she enjoys a soil bath and talking with Merlin. Gets tired quickly and still isn't eating much for herself. Her neck is still painful but trying to preen is probably the exercise she needs.
 
you will know when its time to make a decision chris and it wont be easy but shes done more then good to go this long and that will make it harder for you mate i feel for ya .

i of course have never had to leave meat out to trap and fox and that advice was from watching that fox live progamme a few months ago there was many experts on there offering different advice nice to know somehting does work and attracks the fox even though you never managed to trap it .
 
Well Bumble has brightened up no end since we put her in with Merlin. We put her in for one day and then took her out for the night. He got so upset when she went so we have now left her in there. They snuggle together at night.

She still won't eat pellets, just treats and grass. So we still feed her with a syringe but not as much, hoping that Merlin will encourage her. Her neck is bent but she keeps trying to move it to preen and it seems to be freeing off a bit. She's talking a lot now so must no longer be in pain. Also getting very strong, but I think she suffered some brain damage in the attack. Still good company for each other and she has been blood tested and is fine to go with him. I'll be over next week assembling coops and stuff.
 
yeh glad shes making it ,see its all this talk about the lovely french countryside thats done it :lol: shes saying aint no way you guys are leaving without me i will get better :lol: :lol:
 
Need to find her a nice tree to shelter under and a good soil bath to keep cool. It's 36 degrees over there at the moment! Unusually hot for this time of year. Having said that I think they make a lot of fuss over nothing. We've been there in those temperatures and it doesn't feel particularly hot. It's because the humidity is about 30% so as long as you drink loads and wear a hat you easily stay cool. The sun doesn't burn like it does here either. I think it has something to do with the hole in the ozone layer now extending over the UK -brings me out in little blisters and I've never had them before.
 
chrismahon said:
It's 36 degrees over there at the moment! Unusually hot for this time of year. Having said that I think they make a lot of fuss over nothing. We've been there in those temperatures and it doesn't feel particularly hot. It's because the humidity is about 30% so as long as you drink loads and wear a hat you easily stay cool.
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Will you be able to find time to make all of them a little hat, as well as all those coops you have to finish, Chris?
 
They will get one big hat Marigold and have to share it! The 5 coops and 6 runs are almost complete. Was half a metre short of fence wire to complete the runs and have just to felt the last coop roof. Will all be done by 10.00am tomorrow -the coop steps are cute but a pain making 4 sets! Have to dismantle a shed and the feed store and transfer them to the container. Then I start loading the trailer which will probably take two or three days with all the transit packing and bracing to fit -don't want the new paintwork damaged on the way! Expect to leave Sunday evening at 10.00 to get the 4.20am ferry from Dover, then down to the Dordogne in my own time. I am testing the route for the chicken (and us) run the following week. Will take three days to get everything re-built and set up then back here to load the trailer for the last time! I've been planning, designing, buying, building and rebuilding stuff for this move for a year now and I'm shattered! 90% of the effort is moving the chickens. Moving us is a stroll in the park.
 
It all sounds so exciting, I do so envy you.

Hope it all goes well and to plan, as i imagine it has taken a lot of planning and sorting.

A very exciting and wonderful life for you all awaits, I'm sure.
 
Hope all goes well for you Chris, you deserve it after all the tribulations of the past few months.
 
You don't know half of what we have been through Margaid. Perhaps if we meet I'll curl your hair with it!!!

Rosie ran the route through Google Earth. It shows a picture at every junction and turning. Amazing how it gradually changes to end up, still two hours away, as rambling country lanes with little tidy villages. The chickens will love it as much as we will I'm sure. I am looking forward to leaving tools out and doors unlocked.
 
That's where we are so lucky Chris, we leave things unlocked except when we're off site, and that's only because the public footpath is so close to the buildings.
 
Aww what a sad story I really feel or you. I really want you to keep us up to date on hopefully progress on true two winded babies :( please keep us updated, I hope it's a happy ending although the fox took the life of 1 already on that I occasion hopefully the other 2 make it
 
To conclude the progress of Bumble has been rapid once she started eating on her own. Whilst her neck will never recover she now has more mobility and a reasonable quality of life. We have introduced another 6 Wyandottes to Merlin and Bumble. She was top hen for quite a while as they went in one at a time over two weeks. Merlin still looks after, her even though she can now fight for herself. She does get confused with her neck angle and can't fly straight enough to get onto the perch but she certainly isn't going to be despatched. Fully feathered up as well and has lovely colouring. Expecting eggs any day soon.
 
Just read this whole post & what a story! well done for all your hard work & care Chris, it certainly paid off & so,so pleased that both chooks are now doing well.
 
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