Another month and a whole year of farm life. December has brought a definite chill but still with the ever present addition of rain. The grass has stopped growing and the mud is as muddy as ever so natural forage is almost non existent. We moved the Ryeland sheep into another field which I filmed … [Read more…]
I’ve been meaning to write this post for ages but things got in the way. Over the summer, there were big changes in the chicken shed. We had an old coop which has been used for many things over the years including chickens. The chicks I had purchased were fully grown but then the battery … [Read more…]
When I first started keeping chickens, I felt like I had to learn a whole new language. Well, if not quite a language then definitely a glossary of terms. As with most past times, there are certain phrases reserved for the people who take part in whatever activity it is. There was a lot of … [Read more…]
I don’t know whether I should have written this post first. I feel like I’ve sucked you in with the desire to keep hens but not I am going to tell you all the bad points. Sorry. I feel I have to tell you though, it would be silly of me not to tell you … [Read more…]
The first thing many people ask when they start to keep chickens is ‘do you need a cockerel.’ The short answer is no. Hens lay eggs with or without a cockerel so, if it s eggs you are after, the male is not necessarily needed. The other thing people often wonder is, if you do … [Read more…]
I hope you enjoyed the first post in my chicken keeping series last week. This one is the next (and last) preparation post before the fun bit-choosing which hens you want. Before that though, you have decided you want to keep a few hens and you have chosen the coop. What do they eat? What … [Read more…]
Spring is supposedly in full swing and, when the weather warms, up my hens lay more. Most of them have laid all winter-the layers especially but the fancy breeds like the Pekins and my silkie tend to have a little break over the winter months. I’m sure you know we love eggs here. To eat … [Read more…]
I am not one to keep secrets from my husband. I don’t think it promotes trusting relationships to omit the truth from your other half. When it comes to animals in general and obtaining animals in particular, there are things he just doesn’t need to know about. So my latest confession is this: I have … [Read more…]
We have a funny relationship, Hubster and I. We do row sometimes and, if we do, I like to take my revenge. I know, I know but it is only in small ways and it makes me feel better. Especially because I am obviously, always right. Recently he asked me how I choose which eggs … [Read more…]
Hens are amazing and funny creatures and, in my five years of keeping them, they have provided me with no end of amusement and entertainment. I have decided to write a bit of a guide to tell everyone about some things, you may not realise about our little, feathered friends. A chick takes about 21 … [Read more…]
