What a day.......

Today came the news that the French government says we have to isolate all poultry and water fowl from wild birds. This is because migrating wild birds are thought to be responsible for spreading bird flu! I have been watching the progress of this and had already moved the geese into the chicken barn. This barn has a large run attached. I had tried to move the ducks down but they would not play.
I put the geese and chickens in as soon as I heard then started on the ducks. I have two disabled ducks who have a seperate house and area to prevent them being trampled on. The other ten are in one house and free range during the day with access to the big pond. I herded them into their house which they are used to. I then took them one at a time and carried them down to the barn. They were very distressed and it was hard work managing the big ones. Eventually they were all in the barn and run. It was rather chaotic!  And I was covered in duck poo feeling rather battered.The chickens huddled in one corner, the ducks running around quacking and the geese trying to herd the ducks!
At bedtime when I went to shut the barn door I went in to see how it was going. The ducks were still running about quacking unsure what was happening. They are used to being together in an enclosed space. I went out the back just now to send a text message...no signal in our house and the ducks were still quacking. After today's physio we went into Mayenne and bought a very big net. This will cover the run as the chicken wire we used for the roof has holes big enough for wild birds to get in. It will be fun putting this in place! I will also set up the puppy cage in the barn to put the disabled ducks in. Then I need to rearrange things to give more floor space. I will put in big piles of straw for the ducks.
At the moment the message is to keep them in for a month. This could be extended! There has been lots of discussion about how to keep them entertained! It will be traumatic for them being used to free ranging and no doubt the eggs will stop. Better this though than having to cull my birds. They will need extra food too as they will not find any bugs or insects in such a confined space.
I will go to the Mairie tomorrow to check on all this.
I have wanted for some time to break up the old duck house as it needs replacing. This has at least been achieved. I will deal with that tomorrow. I will also be spending some time in with my birds.
You never know what is around the corner!