Chickens don't swim and the miracle duck

It's been so hot here the elderly chickens we have had decided enough was enough and couldn't possibly lay another egg in such a heat wave, we lost the last grey chicken that i had brought a few years ago (because they looked a bit different, however were not brilliant layers - lesson there looks over utility do not work if you want eggs). Anyway back to loss of chicken for she must of thought it must be nice to be a duck in this hot weather,able to go for a dip, which she must of done and then found out why chickens don't go for dips for although there is a ramp for the ducks to use she obviously didn't use it and probably flapped a bit before giving up the fight where I found her floating in the pond at feeding time.

It has cooled down this week but still no eggs, I've even had to buy a box, the first in a long, long time. Although there is a chicken who has sneaked a few under her wings and is now a broody old broiler who gets very cross as I go near her. If you lifted her up she's probably sitting on an egg mountain, not that you would want to use any of them (if you can get past her beak that is).

We also have had a miracle duck. A few days ago I found our female Peking at feeding time looking like this.

She couldn't stand or move as if she had had a stroke or something, So I put her inside on a bed of straw and thought we may be eating duck a l'Orange for tea. I was amazed the next morning when I went in the barn, thinking she would be in the same state as when I left her but no she was up and about waddling around with the rest of the ducks, fully recovered and quacking to be let out and with no ill effects after she lives on. So it was veggie for tea that night.

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2ENJ093 - FRANKLIN

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The English Paysanne

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