Adventures in the life of an English allotment
So we are being battered by another storm with high winds and rain causing flooding and damage all across the country. At home, aside from a fence panel, we have got off lightly. Both coops with the silkies and our veteran bantams have stood firm against the onslaught. But I always worry about the allotment... Continue Reading →
Late morning, I dragged my husband down to the allotment to help me try and make our main coop biosecure. DEFRA have introduced restrictions for poultry due to several cases of pathogenic avian flu across the UK. Unfortunately, this seems to be happening more regularly, with last year being a particularly bad year. To be... Continue Reading →
The temperature has significantly dropped over the past two days. Going out to the allotment now requires some serious thought about how many layers of clothing are needed to keep warm. As I was only popping out to feed the chickens, I opted for my fleece lined walking trousers a thick fleece top and walking... Continue Reading →
This afternoon, after chairing an EGM meeting, I went back down the allotment to sort out the chickens. With the drop in temperature over the past few days, the Warden has set a date for the water being turned off. So in preparation for it being off tomorrow, I had planned on cleaning out the... Continue Reading →
After several hours of tossing and turning last night, I gave up trying to sleep at 5am. Getting up, I walked down to the allotment to check on the chickens. It's surprised me how many people were out at half five. I checked Leia and Flora in the greenhouse first, refilling their food and water... Continue Reading →
Mid-afternoon, my husband and I ambled down to the allotment armed with coop cleaning supplies and two empty food boxes. Upon our arrival, we chatted briefly to Cliff before we headed off to open up the shed. First job was to sort out cleaning the Omlet. The feathery weed destroyers were left to roam while... Continue Reading →
This afternoon, I popped down the allotment to check on Flora. Once in the main coop, I searched around and eventually found her huddled half under the platform. As I tried to grab her she flapped away, hopping on one leg. The other she held up and seemed very reluctant to use. Minor injuries can... Continue Reading →
I went down bright and early this morning curious to see what the chippings looked like in daylight. The builder's bag by the gate was a mix of laurel and conifer which would be perfect for paths but not suitable for the chicken coops. In the wheelie bin, I found more of the same. Cliff... Continue Reading →
After pottering down to feed the chickens and collect half a dozen eggs this morning. We headed back home. A friend who runs his own gardening business had offered us some chippings. There are endless uses for chippings on an allotment from using it for paths, helping keep chickens off the mud and compost. Some... Continue Reading →
So when I arrived down on site this afternoon, I discovered that Cliff's black leghorn who have been trying desperately to save from suspected gapeworm/respiratory infection had died. It looks like she went peacefully in her sleep which is a blessing. I immediately rang Cliff to let him know what had happened. Slightly saddened that... Continue Reading →
Unfortunately, I discovered Cassie had passed away this morning. Although I expected she might, it's always rather upsetting. I comforted myself with the knowledge she had a peaceful last couple of days without being picked on and snuggled up warm in the indoor coop. Cassie was always a bit more timid than her big sister... Continue Reading →
Just before dinner, I dashed down to the allotment to check on Cliff's black leghorn. Each evening I have been going down to make up a fresh batch of antibiotics for her. When I got down there, I was struck by how different the familiar landmarks looked, especially the greenhouse! Making up antibiotics which require... Continue Reading →
Despite my best efforts over the past two days, Cassie continues to go downhill. I have been feeding her water and brewers yeast, giving her baths and kept her warm inside. Sadly, none of this seems to be working. Today, she has spent most of the day asleep in strange positions before I could persuade... Continue Reading →
I arrived down on site early this morning ready to meet with a representative from the Allotment Federation. I got the stove up and running ready for a hot chocolate apiece before going to the car park to let Kerry in. Our meeting was very productive and Derek came to join in for a bit... Continue Reading →
The rain this morning was torrential. One look outside and I decided to go down to the allotment later. The chickens in the garden still needed feeding but it was much quicker to dash from the kitchen to the garden and back to get their food and water sorted. Maude and Mavis were sitting in... Continue Reading →
So today I went down twice to try and help out Cliffs black leghorn. She didn't look very good this morning. Fortunately, I had some Flubenvet powder left from when I last wormed our flock. I measured out her food carefully and added half a scoop of powder. Mixing it in thoroughly took time and... Continue Reading →
The last two days, I have been woken up by Gordon doing his best impression of a cockerel. Despite having very accommodating neighbours, I just couldn't keep him in the garden anymore. The fact he set off three times yesterday shows he is getting more confident in his voice. So my plan was to move... Continue Reading →
I am at a loss for words. After working all day, I dashed down to the allotment to feed the chickens and check on Cliff's black leghorn. She seemed happy enough in the greenhouse although her weird crowing was back. I managed to get a few chunks of apple sauce down her but I think... Continue Reading →
This morning, I walked down to the allotment a little concerned about what I would find in the greenhouse. Cliff's black leghorn was so poorly yesterday that I was half expecting to find she had passed away over night. There she was! Standing slightly hunched in the middle of the greenhouse. As I went in,... Continue Reading →
What a day! I can't remember the last time I spent a full day at the allotment, work has been so busy! I arrived down on site at about half nine, determined to finish hoeing the plot. A mere fifteen minutes later and the job was done! I love my WolfGarten tiller, it makes life... Continue Reading →
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