Need someone experienced to care for your poultry in your absence?
Poultry Sitter Available!
Those of you who own poultry (chooks, ducks or WHY) will know how hard it can be to get away even for a night or two.
Even if you have friends or family willing to feed and check on your birds, unless they are poultry people themselves, chances are they don't really understand what is involved in caring for your flock when you are away.
I have ducks, and as a result of having ducks, no longer have a social life, lol! (Or money!)
Anyway, I was thinking that there are probably other people out there who like me, find it hard to get away even for a night or two, as either they don't have anyone to look after their 'feather babies' or they know that a night or two away is going to be spent worrying about them, because the friend or family member who volunteered to look after them, doesn't really understand what that means!
So I would like to offer my services to care for your flock. Either on a paid basis, or on a 'trade swap' type arrangement for anyone who would be happy to care for my birds if I am away or out late, in return for me doing the same....
My main experience is with ducks, however I have cared for a friends chickens in her absence, and also 'hosted' some 'borrowed' broody chooks at my place while they raised some ducklings for me :-)
I am available to feed, clean, collect eggs, and check on your poultry while you are away, including things like keeping an eye out for any health issues, predators, social (pecking, over mating etc) and keeping an eye on any birds incubating, brooding or hatching young, making sure all birds are in their coop at night and alerting you of any problems.
My experience caring for my own flock of domestic and rescued ducks includes breeding, egg production, identifying and treating/first aid care for health issues such as bumble-foot, egg binding/vent prolapse, spraddle/splayed legs, etc. And of course catching birds, being pooped on and occasionally pecked by a broody etc.
If you need someone to look after your birds while you go away, whether that be for a day, or night, weekend or longer, text me on 020 406 41485 or check out my duck rescue facebook page at:
Facebook.com/Uninhibitedducks
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.1% Yes
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13.8% No
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Heritage gem or dangerous burden? Bowling club’s dilemma with historic pavilion
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A Rangiora sports club is frustrated with the increasing maintenance and insurance costs of its 113-year-old pavilion, which can't be demolished due to its historic importance.
The Rangiora Bowling Club approached the Waimakariri District Council last year for help, but was yet to find a satisfactory solution for the pavilion.
It is registered with Heritage New Zealand and listed in the Waimakariri District Plan, leaving the club with few options.
The club’s ex-president Norman Hewett said the pavilion on Good St, north of the town centre, is unsafe and no longer fit for purpose.
Hewett said the council has been supportive and Heritage New Zealand has offered advice, but no funding.
‘‘Everybody thinks the building is worth preserving, but there is a cost and it shouldn’t be put on the bowling club.
‘‘As far as we are concerned it is not fit for purpose and we want to know how we can get round that.
‘‘We want to know what the community thinks and if they want to retain it, are they willing to pay for it?’’
The club has formed a sub-committee to explore what options are available.
Sub-committee member Rodger Wilton said the club has been unable to find any record that the club had a say when the building was given heritage status.
Built in 1911, the pavilion served the Rangiora Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Club, which originally shared the site.
It cost 945 pounds and was opened on October 28, 1911.
The three clubs purchased 1.25 acres on the corner of Blackett and Good streets in April 1905, but later parted company, with tennis and croquet moving to new sites.
While no quotes have been sought, Hewett believed it would cost more than $1 million to bring the pavilion up to code.
Ideally the club would like to demolish the pavilion so it can upgrade its main building and remain on site.
The stairwell was non-compliant and there was no wheelchair access, meaning the club was unable to use the upstairs facilities.
There are loose tiles on the roof which need replacing.
An attached building behind the pavilion is sufficient to meet the needs of the 140 members and for hosting the largest bowls tournament in North Canterbury, Hewett said.
He said the club is open to all options, including a land swap or selling to a developer with the expertise to restore the pavilion.
Waimakariri District Council community and recreation manager Chris Brown said the council is working through various opportunities with the bowling club as part of a feasibility study.
‘‘There are a lot of options to consider. Each have various financial, social and operational implications.’’
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga said it had ‘‘expressed support for the adaptive reuse of the building and supported the club’s intention to investigate options for the pavilion and the associated land parcel’’.
The Rangiora Bowling Club is keen to hear the views of the community. Email rangiorabowling@gmail.com.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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