“‘Now that the growing season has started are there any ornamental plants I can grow that my chickens can benefit from?” There are a number of garden ornamentals that make great grain and seed providers for your flock come the autumn, but put on a stunning display during the main of the growing season. Sunflowers …
What goes in must come out – the blindness of backyard poultry keepers?
Following a recent exchange on Twitter this still seems very current, with the ignorance (and in some respects, arrogance) of so-called experienced poultry keepers not quite getting the concept of livestock, and what you put in, will invariably come out.
Smack your chick up?
I’m quite vocal at times about the contrast between commercial poultry rearing and small scale or backyard keeping. I can be quite damning about some the legislation because I’m a great believer that in a large majority of cases one size doesn’t fit all. In fact the concept of one size fitting all seems to stem from the issue that pragmatism and scalability get side-lined. This is either because they are too expensive or are only relevant to ‘the little people’ who, by definition, are irrelevant in the grand scheme of the poultry world!
It follows on then that given my documented opinions I am sometimes challenged by people as to whether my attitude stems from a belief that small scale poultry keepers know better than the big boys and the authorities, or whether I’m just an outspoken idiot. I guess when I put these commentaries…
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Egg producers urged to be ready to protect from ‘year round’ bird flu threat – Farming UK News
Last year I predicted this threat could well become a reality in terms of keeping birds indoors and under cover for 6 months of the year. I didn't want to imagine it could become a year round issue. There will be some tough decisions and tough times ahead for backyarders, the Fancy and poultry shows …
Free ranging and the fox calendar
A free ranging poultry flock foraging for itself is a wonderful sight to see. By this I don’t mean the mega flocks of the commercial egg production units, but the smaller flocks you find on small holdings and larger gardens. Granted not everyone has the space to free range, or others find the conflict between …
Untimely broodiness – breaking the habit
In normal circumstances I welcome broody chickens with open arms (although given the manner of some of my broodies I mean that metaphorically as you would be lucky to get anywhere near them!) However during the late summer months, and in particular during July and August, it can be a real problem if you find …
A Brief Appearance on BBC Midlands Today talking about Avian Flu
In case you don't live in the Midlands area or didn't get to see me pointing out of the anomalies in one country applying HRAs (High Risk Areas) and the neighbouring country not following suit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYTZSje_yYk My thanks to David for picking up on the story, it ran for most of the day and …
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Bird flu doesn’t care about borders even if we do – BBC News
Radically different approaches to bird flu lead to confusion at the English Welsh border. Read Dr David Greogry-Kumars (BBC Science, Environment & Rural Affairs Correspondent) perspective following he and I meeting up on the Borders Source: Bird flu doesn't care about borders even if we do - BBC News
Detailed advice on the Prevention Zone controls in England from 28 February 2017 Avian influenza (bird flu) – GOV.UK
How to spot avian influenza (bird flu), what to do if you suspect it, measures to prevent it, Prevention Zones requiring birds to be housed, and recent cases. Source: Avian influenza (bird flu) - GOV.UK
A Critical Incident Reflection from the Chicken Coop
Critical incidents are occurrences that let us see, with new eyes, some aspect of what we do. The critical incident in question is the outbreak of bird flu this winter, and whilst at time of writing we seem to be emerging, to some degree, from the strict prevention orders, it has given me a little …
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Chief Vet Nigel Gibbens questions the viability of free range egg production in avian influenza high risk areas – Farming UK News
This might not be what people want but I can't deny the logic behind the fact that if you can't free range then don't free range. It's up to you to decide if that means don't keep chickens, or do keep them but in a contained environment. "UK's Chief Vet Nigel Gibbens has said that …
