They seem to be coping quite well and are not at all bothered. Unlike me! I can't get the carout so have been getting the train to work which gets me there an hour later than I would normally arrive. And is getting quite expensive!
However this blog is mostly about the cjickens. they have surrvived their first molt and seem to have nearly all their featehr. I have happy little chickens.
Hoodlum chickens you might say as they keep trying to escape!
Friday, 26 November 2010
Thursday, 14 October 2010
Eggs three days in a row
Wow as the title says 3 eggs I'm quite impressed. The girls are getting used to my habits now and seem to follow me about while not trying to escape of course!
Molly has developed the irritating habit of trying to peck the egg as soon as I go to get it from the nest box. I have to wear a glove at the moment as she pecks me the whole time.
Not to mention the three tinkers were trying to jump out of the nest box tonight. Possibly because they thought I was distracted because I was on the phone. I'm sure my friend thinks I'm mad! Nothing new there then!
Oh and they loved the Acorns :0) So i might look for more windfall on Saturday when its light. They were not so keen on apple must have been a cooking apple :-(
Molly has developed the irritating habit of trying to peck the egg as soon as I go to get it from the nest box. I have to wear a glove at the moment as she pecks me the whole time.
Not to mention the three tinkers were trying to jump out of the nest box tonight. Possibly because they thought I was distracted because I was on the phone. I'm sure my friend thinks I'm mad! Nothing new there then!
Oh and they loved the Acorns :0) So i might look for more windfall on Saturday when its light. They were not so keen on apple must have been a cooking apple :-(
Saturday, 9 October 2010
All Clean
Girls cleaned out as Saturday is cleaning day. New bark in the run as well. An egg last night when i put them to bed and an egg this morning as a bonus! Now off to google wether chickens can eat Acorns as theres some on the Oak tree at the back of the garden.
Might make Cinnamon muffins later as I need cakes to take into work Monday.
Edible Garden
- have taken the last of the tomatoes into my porch and they seem to be ripening woo hoo
Might make Cinnamon muffins later as I need cakes to take into work Monday.
Edible Garden
- have taken the last of the tomatoes into my porch and they seem to be ripening woo hoo
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Neighbour relations
No egg tonight :0(
The girls are still managing about one egg a day between them, I am now convinced that two are laying and the third one not.
Hopefully by next summer and the longer days they'll all be ready and willing to lay!
The good news is I've managed to deliver some eggs to the neighbours on both sides so that should help for good neighbour relations. although I currently have no eggs which is completely bonkers!
Gonna start saving up some for the folks and brother again as my family clearly go through more eggs than I do
The girls are still managing about one egg a day between them, I am now convinced that two are laying and the third one not.
Hopefully by next summer and the longer days they'll all be ready and willing to lay!
The good news is I've managed to deliver some eggs to the neighbours on both sides so that should help for good neighbour relations. although I currently have no eggs which is completely bonkers!
Gonna start saving up some for the folks and brother again as my family clearly go through more eggs than I do
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Moving day
Yesterday was moving day for the chickens. Yet again family membrs were drafted in to help.
We moved the girls coop to another patch of garden and the attached run has now been filled with bark in an effort to give them some dry space as my garden is fast becoming its annual winter bog.
The girls made a bit of a fuss at first but then seemed quite happy and were merrily scrathcing away in the bark looking for the corn I thew in.
When I got up to let them out this morning they rushed straightout so I assume they are pleased with the new location and home improvements!
As I write they seem somewhat bemused by the new feature of being able to be outside and not wet and are currently running backwards and forwards between the sheltered bit of run ( Roof covered with plastic) and the non sheltered bit. I'm sure they'll work it out
We moved the girls coop to another patch of garden and the attached run has now been filled with bark in an effort to give them some dry space as my garden is fast becoming its annual winter bog.
The girls made a bit of a fuss at first but then seemed quite happy and were merrily scrathcing away in the bark looking for the corn I thew in.
When I got up to let them out this morning they rushed straightout so I assume they are pleased with the new location and home improvements!
As I write they seem somewhat bemused by the new feature of being able to be outside and not wet and are currently running backwards and forwards between the sheltered bit of run ( Roof covered with plastic) and the non sheltered bit. I'm sure they'll work it out
Sunday, 26 September 2010
ESCAPE PLANS
They girls are hatching a plot. Yesterday when I was cleaning them out they turned into what I am now calling chicken hoodlums. One was digging a hole and the other one tried to fly out of the run. ooh i was a bit flustered , but managed to sort it out lol.
I'm only getting about one egg a day still getting the occasional soft egg. No eggs today!
Made apple pie and apple buns with cooking apples given by aunt. Seemed to go down well with all that I gave them out too :0)
I'm only getting about one egg a day still getting the occasional soft egg. No eggs today!
Made apple pie and apple buns with cooking apples given by aunt. Seemed to go down well with all that I gave them out too :0)
Sunday, 19 September 2010
An egg today
Henrietta lay an egg hopefully the others will copy.
Chickens are so funny I hung a cabbage today for them to play with they pecked it once and haven't loked at it since. Hope they play with it tomorrow. I don't want them getting bored!
I'm starting to introduce my girls to layers pellets and they are begining to amuse themselves by scrathing about so that gives me something to watch.
Edible Garden:
All in all a good day!
Chickens are so funny I hung a cabbage today for them to play with they pecked it once and haven't loked at it since. Hope they play with it tomorrow. I don't want them getting bored!
I'm starting to introduce my girls to layers pellets and they are begining to amuse themselves by scrathing about so that gives me something to watch.
Edible Garden:
- one courgette chopped and frozen
- last of the blackberries frozen
- mint hung in porch to dry
- chives chopped and frozen
All in all a good day!
Saturday, 18 September 2010
No eggs today
After a couple of 'soft' eggs my hens didn't lay today. Hope my girls are gonna be ok.
I cleaned them out today. They were not amused as I locked them out of the coop. They are learning to scratch its so funny to watch! Should I worry that I've started talking to them????
I cleaned them out today. They were not amused as I locked them out of the coop. They are learning to scratch its so funny to watch! Should I worry that I've started talking to them????
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
Busy!
Sooo the chickens arrived Saturday with a little help from the family. I have been soo busy with the chickens. They have started laying eggs already.
Saturday 1 egg
Sunday 1 egg
Monday 1 eggs
Tuesday 2 eggs
Wednesday 2 eggs
Even though Molly has no wing feathers, Gertie has a bald head and Hen has a few feathers missing they still look so cute. I need to get some photo's on Saturday so I can see the change when their feathers grow in.
Saturday 1 egg
Sunday 1 egg
Monday 1 eggs
Tuesday 2 eggs
Wednesday 2 eggs
Even though Molly has no wing feathers, Gertie has a bald head and Hen has a few feathers missing they still look so cute. I need to get some photo's on Saturday so I can see the change when their feathers grow in.
Thursday, 2 September 2010
Edible Garden
Chives from the garden in my lunch time sarnie. I've also frozen some chives to keep for winter.
Made more jam today. 1small jar of yellow plum (windfall in the local park), 1 jar rhubarb and blackberry and 2 jars of blackberry. Shhhhhh some people might get them for Christmas.
Need to buy more jam sugar before I harvest anymore fruit.
Chives from the garden in my lunch time sarnie. I've also frozen some chives to keep for winter.
Made more jam today. 1small jar of yellow plum (windfall in the local park), 1 jar rhubarb and blackberry and 2 jars of blackberry. Shhhhhh some people might get them for Christmas.
Need to buy more jam sugar before I harvest anymore fruit.
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Saturday, 28 August 2010
14 Days to go!!!
No your maths isn't wrong and actually neither is mine. The chickens are coming early.
So the family have already had to be drafted in to chicken collect. Never mind chicken sit as I'm on a residential that weekend with work!!!! I just need to use my powers of persuasion to get my brother to drive my dad to the collection point.
My dad :0) has been today to give the wooden coop another coat of stain to protect it and I've been to buy another bag of ex - Batt Crumb. I've also bought chicken grit.
Ooh I love ticking things off my list. So i'm now pretty much sorted. I just need to check wether I can get shredded paper for the nest box. :0)
Edible Garden
- I have harvested some more courgettes that makes six so far :0) and just made ratatouille which I'm going to freeze when it cools a bit. I also used some chives from the garden in this so hope it tastes good.
- I have also collected another box of blackberries (from my hedge) with which I'm hoping to make some jam that I can keep as I've given away all (3 jars so not that many really) that I've made so far.
So the family have already had to be drafted in to chicken collect. Never mind chicken sit as I'm on a residential that weekend with work!!!! I just need to use my powers of persuasion to get my brother to drive my dad to the collection point.
My dad :0) has been today to give the wooden coop another coat of stain to protect it and I've been to buy another bag of ex - Batt Crumb. I've also bought chicken grit.
Ooh I love ticking things off my list. So i'm now pretty much sorted. I just need to check wether I can get shredded paper for the nest box. :0)
Edible Garden
- I have harvested some more courgettes that makes six so far :0) and just made ratatouille which I'm going to freeze when it cools a bit. I also used some chives from the garden in this so hope it tastes good.
- I have also collected another box of blackberries (from my hedge) with which I'm hoping to make some jam that I can keep as I've given away all (3 jars so not that many really) that I've made so far.
Monday, 23 August 2010
Finally!
Well after two days of searching, visiting various feed stores and pet shops. I have finally located a stockist of Ex-Batt Crumbs and i've got some in for my girls when they arrive!!! They will be pleased. :0)
Next on the list.
Grit and a container!
Oh well getting there, getting there I love ticking things off my list.
Next on the list.
Grit and a container!
Oh well getting there, getting there I love ticking things off my list.
Sunday, 22 August 2010
27 Days to go
Nothing bought today for the chickens.
The good news is the family have surrvived testing the blackberry jam I made yesterday with the Blackberries I picked from my garden hedges. My dad has kept the jar!
Ingredients:
• 1 lb blackberries, cleaned thoroughly and stalks removed
• 1 lb jam sugar
• splash of water (approx 2 tablespoons)
Method:
1. Put a saucer in the freezer before starting the jam.
2. Tip the cleaned blackberries into a large saucepan and heat gently, adding a splash of water.
3. When the mixture heats gently and the berries start to break down, tip in the sugar.
4. Once the sugar is added, bring to a rapid boil and stir regularly. The pink foam will rise up the sides of the saucepan - time four minutes from this stage and continue to boil and stir as needed.
5. Take the saucer out of the freezer. With a teaspoon, drop a small amount of the hot jam onto the frozen saucer and push the blob of jam with a finger. If a wrinkle forms, the jam has reached setting point. Take off the heat and cool slightly, then pour into warmed sterilised glass jars. Seal while warm.
Can't believe I made Jam. There are a lot more blackberries ripening so I might make some more later in the week!!!!!
The good news is the family have surrvived testing the blackberry jam I made yesterday with the Blackberries I picked from my garden hedges. My dad has kept the jar!
Ingredients:
• 1 lb blackberries, cleaned thoroughly and stalks removed
• 1 lb jam sugar
• splash of water (approx 2 tablespoons)
Method:
1. Put a saucer in the freezer before starting the jam.
2. Tip the cleaned blackberries into a large saucepan and heat gently, adding a splash of water.
3. When the mixture heats gently and the berries start to break down, tip in the sugar.
4. Once the sugar is added, bring to a rapid boil and stir regularly. The pink foam will rise up the sides of the saucepan - time four minutes from this stage and continue to boil and stir as needed.
5. Take the saucer out of the freezer. With a teaspoon, drop a small amount of the hot jam onto the frozen saucer and push the blob of jam with a finger. If a wrinkle forms, the jam has reached setting point. Take off the heat and cool slightly, then pour into warmed sterilised glass jars. Seal while warm.
Can't believe I made Jam. There are a lot more blackberries ripening so I might make some more later in the week!!!!!
Saturday, 21 August 2010
28 days to go
So the count down to the chickens begins.
I'm going to be rehoming 3 ex battery chickens on the 18th of September and we already have the names picked out. HENrietta, Gertrude and Molly. I am looking forward to their arrival.
The coop has been built by my dad and today I have been and bought two drinkers and two feeders I'm still trying to find ex battery crumb to feed them when they arrive. I'm sure I'll have managed by then.
I've been to visit my friend Kathryns chickens to begin getting used to it. I'm really looking forward to the scrapes I'm going to get into.
I'm going to be rehoming 3 ex battery chickens on the 18th of September and we already have the names picked out. HENrietta, Gertrude and Molly. I am looking forward to their arrival.
The coop has been built by my dad and today I have been and bought two drinkers and two feeders I'm still trying to find ex battery crumb to feed them when they arrive. I'm sure I'll have managed by then.
I've been to visit my friend Kathryns chickens to begin getting used to it. I'm really looking forward to the scrapes I'm going to get into.
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