Pages

Sunday, October 21

Overflowing - a hen drama!


Every night I check on the hens to make sure they are all inside their hut before I lock the door and drop the hatch. Now the nights are drawing in they are usually all inside by 6pm. Ernest by the door with Mabel, Olwyn, Bev, Eva and May at the far end.
On Thursday night however Ernest was on his own, Olwyn, Bev, Eva and May at the far end of their perch. Darkness was descending rather quickly for my liking so, armed with the torch I went in search of Mabel. Calling her name I was greeted by her squawk - obvious she was in some sort of distress. As I made my way to the bottom of the garden I could hear the sound of the stream. Normally this just trickles quite quietly through the village, but with all the rain it had overflowed and was quite dangerous to a hen.
Still no sign of Mabel yet her cries were becoming more animated when I shouted her. I made my way round to the other side of the stream, via the neighbours garden. Shining my torch into the trees I was greeted by two large eyes peering through the branches. In her evening stroll Mabel must have been freaked by the sound of the water gushing through the garden and found safety in the tree.
I returned home to collect Captain Marvel, (Jon) and the cat carrier. Jon scurried up the tree, torch in hand and grabbed a somewhat startled Mabel, put her in the cat carrier and we brought her home. Her clucking was quite loud and agitated but at least she was safe.
We released her inside the henhouse and a few hours later I checked in on her and all was normal.  Ernest by the door with Mabel, Olwyn, Bev, Eva and May at the far end.


 
Update - Thanks Glo for this wonderful inspired response! Denise 22.10.2012.
 
 
For more ABC Wednesday fun follow the link on my sidebar. 

35 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. All part of a day in the life with Captain Marvel Roger. lol!

      Delete
  2. Oh, thank goodness. Your first picture could easily have been taken here, our river has been running really loud and fast too. I quite understand how it would freak out a hen.

    Glad that Mabel recovered from her trauma. You too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. So glad there was a happy ending!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was a lttle afraid of reading on..but thank goodness for the happy ending!
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jane - yes a happy if dramatic outcome xxx

      Delete
  5. Wonder how she she got across the stream ? but so happy to hear a happy ending.
    I keep telling my friend about your and Weavers chickens.
    They have been talking about getting some chickens for the children to take care of. The eggs would be a very happy extra. I am printing out your food list so they will know the extras they can give the chickens.

    cheers, parsnip

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've just found your blog and what a delight! It particularly made me smile because of it's name - we have a black chicken called Mrs Nesbitt! I love the chicken-y posts. We have 3 chickens in all and your tips on feeding have got me thinking and given me inspiration.
    Bev x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Bev - great to meet you and to have a chicken named Mrs Nesbitt - love it. Glad the tips have helped you - I know the enjoyment we get from hen keeping - great to think my ramblings have helped you. Dx

      Delete
  7. Glad you found her. I love all your chicken's names.....

    Gill

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Gill - yes and they all have their own little personalities! xx

      Delete
  8. So glad you found her and were able to rescue her. Poor thing. I'm sure her feathers were ruffled. I love your ending lines and the photo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Chris - yes it did turn into a proper little tale lol!

      Delete
  9. I began writing a comment, but then went off on a creative tangent, which resulted in this: (hope you enjoy)

    http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g324/Lesmore/captmarvelandmabel.jpg

    ReplyDelete
  10. PS If you can't open the above link by pasting it in the URL section of your browser, please let me know and I'll email it to you if you give me your address! thanks

    ReplyDelete
  11. Brilliant poem! Hope she rewarded you with an egg.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi again ~ So pleased you had a good laugh about the poem and photo and hope it gave Captain Marvel a chuck-chuckle too! I had started out with a comment about how diligent and responsible you were for checking on your chickens before heading to bed ... but the story had so many wonderful elements, that off I went.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glo - it was hilarious! We were both so touched by the creativity and imagination used for such a response! Will be showing it to Captain Marvel's mum tomorrow. Dxxx

      Delete
  13. All's well that ends well!!So happy you found Mabel--I'm sure she was pretty perplexed. Ann

    ReplyDelete
  14. What an ordeal for poor dame Mabel! But anyway thanks to her you got a funny poem dedicated to you Denise

    ReplyDelete
  15. What drama!
    Poor Mabel and I'm so glad Captain Marvel came to the rescue.
    the poem is the best.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Riveting! Although I leave with a wonderful smile! Glad it all worked out.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh my, I was on tenterhooks for poor Mable - so glad there was a happy ending! Outstanding entry for O!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Poor Mabel. Just as well you noticed her absence and that she was rescued.
    Maggie X

    Nuts in May

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love it that all your ens has names!

    O is for....
    Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm glad that all went well with the hen!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh, heavens! That sounds scary - could have had a completely different outcome for poor Mabel! I'm glad you found her and brought her home!

    ReplyDelete
  22. we had too msny chicken to give them names.But we have our own flood and chicken story. It used to flood every year end in Borneo. The flood water creeps up at mid night, and dad would hoist the chicken basket down to the ground flood. My sis had to find the chickens to put into the cage and dad would hoist it up the house to the bath room. Sis E still remembers worrying about the snakes in the dark murky water.

    ReplyDelete
  23. So glad there was a happy end of this tale!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Aw, poor Mabel...I'm so glad you both managed to rescue her and she's safe and sound with Ernest now. She was obviously in some distress!

    Leslie
    abcw team

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comments, always nice to know somebody has taken the time to let me know what they think.