Poultry rules

Abu the Roo and his followers know there are three basic rules that must be obeyed at all times;

1. No one is allowed out to free range until all eggs have been laid in the nesting boxes.
2. Chooks who wish to watch television must do so through the window, not from the comfort of the lounge.
3. STAY OUT OF THE GARAGE!

The Boss is usually a very patient and tolerant man, but the garage is his territory - no chickens allowed.
Rule 3 rule was broken for the first (and probably only) time on Sunday afternoon. The Boss was busy splitting firewood by the back door while I picked plums for Quince and her chicks.  Abu realised we were both occupied and spotted his chance to go explore the great unknown.  We think about eight chooks ventured very quietly into the garage, but it's impossible to be sure of exact number.

Luckily The Boss looked up just in time to see the last feathery tail disappear through the garage doorway. He's a quick thinker this man - while I would have raced over and yelled at Abu to get out -The Boss had a way better solution.  I was totally oblivious to what was going on until I had the be-jesus scared out of me by a very loud crash.  I spun around just in time to see an explosion of chickens come low flying out of the garage making a hell of a protest.

The Boss had simply picked up a big handful of rocks and stones and thrown them up onto the garage roof. Since the roof is made of an opaque plastic the sound was incredibly loud.  Needless to say not a single chook has as much as looked sideways at the garage since.

If The Winemaker's Wife is reading this, I'll bet she was wishing her poultry was as well behaved.  Last I heard the Vineyard chooks had abandoned the penthouse chicken coop delux in favour of living in the playground with the turkeys.  Lordy knows what some poor unsuspecting tourist will think when they come across a line up of assorted feathered creatures playing on the swings and slide or roosting on the bridge handrailing.  Gotta love the thrills of keeping livestock!

What I've learnt today;
1. My egg count is up to a very respectable seven eggs a day. Doris Plum is now laying regularly but I've not been able to catch the new mystery hen in the act. Finally I can start confidently selling eggs!
2. Steve Austin, Six Million Dollar Chick is an only child.  My last incubated egg hasn't hatched and today's mission is to find out exactly what went wrong.