Over the week-end hubby put the scaffolding up at the side of the house
This now means we can get the chimney repaired
As you can see the rendering is all coming away
And also get the correct chimney pots on.
Also while the scaffolding is in place we will get the end wall painted and the fascia boards cleaned up.
I have got on quote in today for the repairs.
We need to get the repairs done before winter sets in, the builder who came round today to do a quote did pull off all the loose stuff as it was very windy and he was concerned about bits of render crashing down on me. What a nice man.
There was a bit of a downer first thing this morning, when I let the chooks out I noticed Fern my white Silky had a prolapse, I tried to catch hold of her but she was having none of it, I did a bit of research about the prolapse, although it can through lots of care be repaired and putting her on antibiotics in the long term it is something that is going to recur and if I didn't see it and the other chooks spot it first she would be pecked to death by them, she also lays big eggs so the chances are it is going to happen on a regular basis, keeping her isolated from the other chooks was an option but the daily care needed and medication helped me come to the descison that it was best she was dispatched.
Some people may find this a cruel waste of life, my view is the chickens are not pets they are there to provide us with eggs, the daily care was not something I could consider for a chicken that would no longer serve a purpose and the risk of her being attacked by the others would be cruel, chickens are cannibals and can be vicious to weak ones in the flock. She had a good life and was 6 years old a good age for a chicken. She will be remembered fondly.
Fern going about her business in happier times.
Oh Dawn, how what terrible news. I hope I don't ever have to do it, I'm such a wuss x
ReplyDeleteUnfortunatly its a fact of keeping any livestock, find some-one who can be on hand to do the deed should you ever need it doing, otherwise you are looking at a vet bill.
DeleteIt happened to several of our hens over the years. The prolapse can be pushed back ( I let my husband do it!) but it always reoccurs so you did the right thing. Yes, hens can be very cruel to each other at times. Even one going in to moult before the others can bring the worst out in them
ReplyDeleteI did read up about putting it back and would have given it a go but the chances of reaccurance out weighed the benefits.
DeleteSorry about the loss of Fern. I hope that you can get the chimney and repairs sorted soon, having just had our render replaced and the roof fixed I know how important these things are and how much work is involved. At least our render wasn't actually removing itself from the building though so I am glad that the builder took down the loose bits so that you didn't get hurt if they fell on you. xx
ReplyDeletethe chimney is one of the many repairs but it was on the priority list as the last thing we want is a chimney coming down.
DeleteYou have done the right thing, when we care for animals we have to do the best for them and they deserve a good life without suffering. It's a horrible time but you chose the best course.
ReplyDeleteWe would have done the same...although we respect the lives of our animals we do not treat them as pets, which is something a lot of people are unable to understand. It would have been a difficult decision for you to make about your hen, but absolutely right. As for chimneys....one chimney had collapsed, but one was left standing despite having no roof to keep it company! Hope the quote is not too high.
ReplyDeleteI can draw the line between pets and working animals, although there is some attachment with the chooks as they are the first I ever home hatched.
DeleteI think you know that I would have done the same. We're terrible at ggiving animals human emotions in this country. They don't feel like we do and will happily peck their mate to death, you did the right thing.
ReplyDeleteAs for the building work at least the scaffold never cost anything!
Yes the scaffolding was free there has to be some perks :-)
DeleteDefinitely the right thing to do - she was a working animal who had to earn her keep. That aside, it was a much better end than being pecked apart...
ReplyDeleteI would have been devestated if she had been attacked by the others and suffered a horrible death, its all part of duty of care.
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