There's always one isn't there????

[Nicos]

Ok so now my chicks are more than a couple of months old- and their mums have started laying- and becoming independent again.

I understand that.
BUT....why on earth would Betty decide to fly over the electric fence and head off on her own????
She was always independent from the rest of the flock- and she's started again!!!!!
Problem was that one of the cockerels was so concerned he flew after her- so that's 2 of them now who know they can get out ( was the same cockerel I electrocuted yesterday!!!)

Hmm- not happy about clipping their wings- but it may be worth considering if this carries on.

[Snadger]

Aaaah........a young married couple setting out on lifes great adventure together, how sweet!

[MaureenHall]

I think you need to sit them down and have a talk with them

Wing clipping might be the only option though I'm afraid

[Nicos]

Aaaah........a young married couple setting out on lifes great adventure together, how sweet!

Hmm...I like how they left their two babies behind!!!!

[lizzylemon]

Hmm- not happy about clipping their wings- but it may be worth considering if this carries on.

We've ended up with Wingsor Castle cos the wing clipping wasn't all that successful in keeping the girls in. They could STILL jump a 4 foot fence even lopsided. It's now 6 foot and works pretty well - although I did notice Henni eyeing up the coop roof yesterday........

[Birdie Wife]

Funny that, I had a hen called Betty who was very independent too. I reckon she's looking for somewhere out of your way to lay. Maybe somewhere in the back of their head they think that when they lay eggs that go missing each day (cos you collect them) then predators must be taking them (which I suppose is true, in a way!) so they have to find a place where the predators can't find them. It's probably her hormones kicking in - she wants to raise a family and she can't do that where the eggs go missing. My lot ramble around and regularly change their laying place. I think your only option might be to clip her wings unfortunatly.

[Nicos]

mm...she did used to lay under the tarpaulin over the compost a while ago...maybe I should go and have a look around.
I don't want to lose her to foxes as she was by far the most caring and sensible mother of all the 4. She's only just started laying again this week- so I bet you're right there BWife...She's out again with her boyfriend as I type

[Irie Jan]

Aaaah........a young married couple setting out on lifes great adventure together, how sweet!

I think you need to sit them down and have a talk with them

Wing clipping might be the only option though I'm afraid

These quote's made me laugh

Ahhhh Bless they want the big wide world out there, it's full of adventures to them! On a more seirous note though! I hope you get this habit sorted soon b4 they get lost or god forbid hurt! Good luck Nicos

[Nicos]

I've just popped them back in and done a tour of the fence- just wondering if it wasn't giving off much of a current ( but it did hurt yesterday!!)...and I've just found a dead frog half way through one of the holes....

The chooks were used to completely free ranging- so yup- if this continues I'll have to consider clipping the escapees.
Couldn't find any eggs- I think Betty was just being her old adventurous self again!

and yup...brill comments folks!!!!!