Monthly Archives: June 2012

Goodnight (finally)

Posted on June 30, 2012 by Michael

It is said that sexing chicks is the toughest poultry-related job that there is. Never having done it myself, I can’t contest that – but putting four reluctant chickens to bed must run it a close second.  The problem is, … Continue reading →

Posted in Chores | Leave a comment

Egg #2

Posted on June 30, 2012 by Michael

We have a second egg – identical to the first one, and this time it was definitely Pearl’s, so it’s highly likely that Thursday’s was hers too. So the current rate is one every 48 hours, but we’re threatened with … Continue reading →

Posted in Eggs, Pearl | Leave a comment

Yum!

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Michael

I don’t normally have cooked breakfasts unless I’m staying in a hotel at someone else’s expense, but this morning I treated myself to two rashers of bacon and last night’s egg. What it lacked in substance when fried, it more … Continue reading →

Posted in Eggs | Leave a comment

We have our first egg!

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Michael

As you can see, it’s quite small, and there’s no way of knowing (short of some kind of poultry DNA test) who produced it because we didn’t catch her in action – though Pearl and Vi seem like the most … Continue reading →

Posted in Eggs | Leave a comment

What happens when you…

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Michael

…throw a single slice of melon into a pen containing four chickens?  We saw them giving us the answer yesterday evening, laughed a lot, and asked them to put on a repeat performance in better light today.

Posted in Ida, Pearl, Queenie, Vi, Video | Leave a comment

The Great Escape #2

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Michael

“Oh my God, what’s that?” I quickly scanned the garden, alighting on the swing, on which my son was doing his level best to strangle himself but still seemed hale and hearty. “No, not him – on top of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, Great Escapes, Vi | Leave a comment

Feathered friends

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Michael

Along with these two pigeons, we’ve had magpies and a seagull popping in to say hello to their new feathered friends in the chicken pen. Or at least that’s what I’d write if I was the kind of numpty who … Continue reading →

Posted in Visitors | Leave a comment

The Great Escape #1

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Michael

The chickens are pretty blasé about adults approaching them, but they queue up expectantly whenever they spot what they probably refer to as “red-haired food girl”, because her arrival usually coincides with them getting some kind of treat (usually a … Continue reading →

Posted in Great Escapes, Vi, Visitors | Leave a comment

Trespassers will be pecked

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Michael

The chickens are fighting over a slug.  That’s nature red in tooth and claw for you.  Or possibly beak and claw in this case. But it’s hard to get too emotional about the situation, as it was the slug’s fault … Continue reading →

Posted in Visitors | Leave a comment

Chickens and birds

Posted on June 24, 2012 by Michael

Me: Are you going out to feed the birds? Daughter (seven): No, the chickens. Me: Chickens are birds. Daughter: (derisively) No they’re not! Me: So why aren’t they birds? They have feathers and beaks. Daughter: They can’t fly. Me: Penguins … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophical Debates | Leave a comment