Right: Amelia takes a look around before taking the plunge. All 4 hens awoke to new and alien surroundings. Bluebelle was first out and is the quietest and the most tame and an instant favourite. Sandy (the Blacktail and christened by Chris was the only one to fly back to roost in the house unaided. The others all escaped from the temporary enclosure and had to be hunted down and helped up. Black Betty was the last to be found and, in the nick of time - just before nightfall, Chris found her inches away from his face roosting in a shrub rose! She is the least tame and the most fearful. Priorities now are to finish rabbit proofing the garden in an effort to deter Lacy the neighbouring terrier and known hater of pheasants from his regular visits. Shame this terrier can't differentiate between pheasants and hens!
Above: Bluebelle and Amelia take their first look around their new surroundings.
The plan is to erect a secure run for them in Cato's Corner. Al is building a small shelter for them which will remain in the run and offer protection from foul (sorry!) weather. We plan to lure them in with corn (until they are used to it) which would allow is to leave the premises safe in the knowledge that they are secure. In the meantime, they have the freedom of the garden (excluding the vegetable patch) as soon as they have learnt to roost in their safehouse unaided.
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