After a leisurely breakfast we dropped off some dry cleaning and went to have two new tyres fitted. Including tracking it cost me £270, which is more than I’ve paid for some of my cars. After that it was off to Men in Sheds to drop off birthday cards and then on to Rufford Abbey, where I failed to capture photos of Wrens, Nuthatches, Marsh Tits and a Kingfisher.
Just a few shots for now, showing the guinea fowl enjoying themselves in the sun, the new bird feeders being made by Men in Sheds and the kitchen extension.
The guinea fowl seem unaware that they should be staying inside to avoid bird flu, the bird feeders may never be filled (there has been no feeding done since we left) and the kitchen extension has meant that the pizza oven and barbecue have been demolished.
Such is life.
Sorry to hear there is an outbreak of bird flu over there. I would think fresh air would help keep them healthy.
That’s why free range poultry is a mixed blessing – better welfare and healthy fresh air, but more access to disease-carrying wild birds.
I wonder if bird flu affects all birds? It just occurred to me that garden birds could be at risk, too.
I saw a notice in the Co-op about how their eggs were not currently free range – I’m glad at least that they pointed that out. Where I actually get my eggs, a local organic farm, I don’t know what they are doing. They’ve only just built up their flock again after a mink slaughtered the last one.
Yes, it can affect all birds.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/600790/ai-findings-1617.csv/preview
They had a case at Frampton Marsh (RSPB) in Lincolnshire recently – there were notices up while we were there.
What did the noticed say – just that there had been instances?
It said that a dead bird had been examined and found to have died from bird flu. It also said not to touch any dead birds but to report them to staff and to avoid contact with poultry after visiting the reserve.
Yes, I can see the transference issue. Mm, I hope my feathered garden visitors won’t be affected.
Anyway, good to know about the precautions should we find one!
Fingers crossed. 🙂
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It is good that you keep in contact with Men in Sheds. Do they continue under their own steam?
Yes, but they seem to have stabilised with a group of five regulars. They aren’t recruiting and they just do a few jobs for the farm instead of pursuing their own projects. It’s still a worthwhile project but far from what it could be. After previous experience on the farm I don’t want to put a lot of effort into another project there. M y local group has an age limit of 60, so I can’t join yet (though it’s just less than 14 months until I can). 🙂
I love guinea fowl. That first one looks a little worried, like you might be getting ready to snatch it. I imagine it found some nice insects later to make up for having its photo taken.
Originally there were over 40, but predators, cars and oven readiness have all taken their toll, so I suppose it can be a worrying life. They were feeding and chattering nicely when we left.
It is always saddening to return somewhere and find that all your hard work has been undone. Our neighbours’ chickens are also unaware they should be undercover. They spend all day wandering up and down the lane. Hmmmmm……
We’re gradually becoming immune to it. 🙂
I suppose you have to balance the disease risk against the health benefits of being in the fresh air.
Yes. The chickens look healthy enough and the nearest out break was a few weeks ago 25 miles away. Our neighbours can’t afford to build a covered run and are extremely attached to their flock.
To me it’s a question of morality – the industry decided to go free range (even though cages have many advantages for the production of cheap eggs) so they should stick to it, not lock the poultry away because it’s easier.