Bantam Resurrection And A Dilemma!

[Neal 1,930]

I had an impromptu daytime visit from Mr Tod on Sunday. I had three bantams (two R.I.R. and a welsumer) which lived free-range in a very mini-orchard in the back 30' of my garden.

 

My wife was out in the garden around lunchtime and suddenly came running in to tell me that one of the bantams was making a hell of a racket, as though it were being strangled. As she doesn't have much to do with them I assumed she meant the "I've just laid an egg" call so I strolled outside nonchalently only to discover that there were no bantams. I had a good search around as it's quite overgrown and they often hide away in the undergrowth, particularly when it's hot. I then heard one of them calling in the distance; we currently have major building work going on behind us as a disused convent makes way for a housing estate.

 

To cut a long story short; with the help of one of my kelpies, I found the remains of one bantam and eventually found and rescued the remaining two from a patch of nettles...wearing shorts I hasten to add: ouch!

 

A few hours later, at the beginning of the second set of the Wimbledon final, I was out putting out a load of washing when I heard a second bantam being taken. A neighbour called me over to say she'd just seen a mangy fox running off through the building site. I went into panic mode and immediately popped round to see a chicken owning couple who live about a mile from me to ask if they could have my last bantam because I was 100% sure she'd be joining the other two before the end of the day and even if she did survive she'd be on her tod. Fortunately they agreed and she was rehomed in time for me to watch the final stages of the second set.

 

However, at about half past eight that evening one of the neighbours (the one who'd spotted the fox) called round to tell me she could hear a bantam calling from her neighbours garden! I did a quick bit of mental maths (3-1-1-1=0) but lo and behold she was right! The second bantam had somehow managed to escape from the fox (she has the feather damage to prove it) leaving me wondering what on earth to do with her.

 

I knew I couldn't put her in the shed as it would get too hot during daytime so I managed to relocate all the old eglu run panels which I'd dismantled and cobble them together. My four year old son was over the moon when he saw her the next morning.

 

I've been working for the last couple of days so haven't had a chance to see the couple who rehomed the R.I.R. but my dilemma now is: do I ask them for her back, ask if they'd like one more or restock? What would you do? I feel a bit rude and guilty just asking for her back.

Edited July 9, 2013 by Neal

[bobcullen79 1,495]

Cut your loses, gift the other away, improve your run and restock bud. Cant really go asking, but you never know the outcome if you offer the other... Either way, you could do with a few more chooks mate

[Tyla 3,179]

Either give her to them or ask for the other one back, I had a similar situation after having the sole survivor of a mates flock and planned to keep it with my others. They took an instant dislike to her and I had to separate them so now I have a single hen living loose in the garden and the rest in the hen run. From now on I wont be introducing single hens into a flock or replacing a flock while I have a single one left!

[Neal 1,930]

Thanks for the advice!

[The one 8,592]

Give her away and you can get more once you have fox proofed your fence ?.

[Neal 1,930]

Problem solved. Went to see them this morning and told them what had happened and they said they were perfectly happy to either keep her or give her back. As the run they're in is completely fox proof I'll be going back to collect her later today but won't allow them to free range until the back of the garden has been secured.

 

Thanks again for all the advice!