Where oh where has the sunshine gone? Judging from how wet and rainy June and July have been I suspect we have had our "summer" in May. Today was overcast and I walked down to the allotment to check on Pop and to go a few jobs. When I got into the greenhouse, Pop looked... Continue Reading →
Bees in Trees
My husband popped down to the allotment this morning to sort the chickens. He found Leia off her eggs. We hoped this was just her daily break from sitting. Later in the afternoon we both went down for a little fresh air. Upon arrival we discovered Leia sunbathing outside. Idiotic bird! Unfortunately, this probably means... Continue Reading →
The broody death stare
We walked down to the allotment really late today in order to try to do a few jobs without meeting too many people. My husband made a start on feeding the chicks whilst I wrestled with the shackles on the sail. The very high wind that had been blowing all day yesterday continues and I... Continue Reading →
A miraculous egg
I dashed down to the allotment this morning to find a miraculous event had occured. Leia laid her first egg. I had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that she would never lay, only strut around looking pretty. I did spend several minutes considering whether Rey had chosen to lay a different coloured egg... Continue Reading →
September update
I finally managed to get down to the allotment for a full day's work today. It's been a manic end to the summer and apart from running down to feed the chickens I haven't had a moment to do anything. The plot isn't quite as bad as it could be but the weeds are slowly... Continue Reading →
Melting in the heat
This morning I walked down to the allotment to make sure the chickens were all coping with the heat. They are prone to over heating and it is important to give them lots of water. On arrival, I found Leia and her buddy had been moved into the broody coop to protect them from being... Continue Reading →
A day of chickens and bees
This morning I strolled down to the allotment to see if the ground had dried out. It hadn't. I give up - the weather either bakes the soil to a crisp or it's 6 inches under water! I went to the greenhouse and watched the chicks. When I arrived they were roosting in the nest... Continue Reading →
RIP Evie
Today I walked down to the allotment in the rain. This summer appears to be a total washout interspersed with mini heatwaves. Upon my arrival, I opened up the greenhouse to find both chicks roosting together in the nest box! It appears they have sorted their differences and seem to be enjoying each others company.... Continue Reading →
Introducing chickens
I walked down late this morning after doing some jobs at home. I found Geoff sitting in his coop with his favourite chicken on his lap. We had a quick chat about the weather before I mentioned about recording the cockerel crowing in Mick the Greek's coop yesterday. Curious about whether the cockerel would recognise... Continue Reading →
Experiments with Chickens
This morning I ambled down to the allotment and joined everyone at the clubhouse before feeding the chickens. Geoff, Cliff, Phil, Dave the Plod and Coco were all there chatting away happily in the sunshine. As I arrived I heard an odd sound. If I had had a good night's sleep, I would have confidently... Continue Reading →
Death to weeds!
Today I got down to the allotment very late as I has several jobs to do in town. I found several people by the clubhouse although no one stayed too long. Geoff, Cliff and Cliff were all enjoying the breeze whilst Mick the Greek and the others were busy working. I chatted for a while... Continue Reading →
Excavating the plot
Late this morning I walked down to the allotment ready for a full day's work. The weather has been so fickle lately that it either has been too hot or too wet to do anything productive. The mix of sunshine and rain has meant the proliferation of bind weed on an industrial scale. Everyone has... Continue Reading →
Ovecast but dry!
This morning, we walked down to the allotment determined to get through the massive list of jobs that I have been ignoring due to the inclement weather. We made a start by feeding Leia who seemed quite perky this morning. I put her out and left her happily exploring while we went down to the... Continue Reading →
Drizzle
There are many different types of rain. Some comes at you sideways, finding every gap in your clothing and flooding it. Another is so light it's like walking through a fine mist. Today's was the British classic, drizzle. Unless you have lived in the UK, drizzle may need a little explanation. Drizzle is always accompanied... Continue Reading →
Steps forward
Today the heat was still horrendous but the temperature had dropped a little. Even better was the slight breeze which occasionally gave a brief break from the relentless heat. Due to the heat, I have been leaving the greenhouse door open to allow through flow of air overnight for the Plymouth Rock chick. I managed... Continue Reading →
Sweltering in the Sunshine
Today was hot. Boiling. Rapidly approaching the temperature of the surface of the sun. At 5 pm, it was still 32 degrees. It's inhuman. I ran down to the allotment to refresh the chickens water. In the main coop, the water bowl was nearly empty. I refilled it to the brim and for good measure,... Continue Reading →
A sick chick goes to the Vet
For the last few days, our Plymouth Rock chick has been struggling to stand and walk. At first, I thought it was because the other two chicks were picking on her. They were but her legs don't seem to be in the correct position and she seems to be in pain. On Tuesday morning, I... Continue Reading →
Settling down
Today I ambled down to the allotment in the sunshine to feed the chickens. I started off with the main coop. The girls were all busy enjoying the sunshine with Snap and Holly bagging the best spot. They jostled for position but eventually settled down to some serious relaxing.I topped up their food bowls -... Continue Reading →
Musical Chickens
This morning I dashed into town to pick up a carrier to prepare to pick up the new chickens. Armed with two large carriers, I walked down to the allotment and put them into the greenhouse. I spotted Geoff in the clubhouse and stopped by to say hello. Upon arrival at the clubhouse I discovered... Continue Reading →
Return of the sunshine
Early this morning, I walked down to the allotment determined to get lots done before it got any hotter. The temperature over the next week is supposed to rocket up into the high 20's/low 30's.As I arrived, I opened up the greenhouse, fed three hungry chicks and a grumpy Emily before making a start on... Continue Reading →
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