… because our dearest hen Bridget is gone. I was out in the garden and noticed a sudden kerfuffle amongst the girls who were all gathered round Bridget and I thought perhaps she was ill, but by the time I reached her, she was already gone She was well over four years old, one of [...]
All posts in category Hen Diaries
Now we are six …
Posted by LB on April 28, 2012
http://henkeeper.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/now-we-are-six/
Getting Anxious
The Chooklets have been escaping … their exit has been plugged, but not before they dared approach the Hen Garden – the resulting hubbub has left me more than a little anxious about integrating them! They are currently 16 weeks, so in theory I could begin the introductions any time now, but we have chicken [...]
Posted by LB on July 12, 2010
http://henkeeper.wordpress.com/2010/07/12/getting-anxious/
First Outing
Day 4 – 3 eggs from the Virtues I’d planned to keep the Virtues in for a week before letting them free range for a while in the garden … but first thing this morning, all three made it out of the greenhouse before the run was in place, and all three headed straight for [...]
Posted by LB on December 13, 2009
http://henkeeper.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/first-outing/
And another one!
I went out early to the greenhouse … oh my goodness, what a mess! Of course, they didn’t sleep in the box with a perch and straw … they slept on top of it. And they poo’d … all night by the look of it. Since they clearly have no intention of staying at ground [...]
Posted by LB on December 10, 2009
http://henkeeper.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/and-another-one/
First Emergency …
We had to have one sooner or later … but I didn’t think it would be Gertrude. I was late out with their treats tonight … well after 3pm and just beginning to get dull, rather than dark. I had to distract them for a moment, and put a few kernels of corn outside the [...]
Posted by LB on November 11, 2009
http://henkeeper.wordpress.com/2009/11/11/first-emergency/
Four weeks …
… and 85 eggs later, I think we’re starting to get the hang of this … Only four weeks, but so many changes. When we first had them, the hens went to roost around 8.30pm … all by themselves by day 5 … and were anxious to get out of the loft by about 6.30am. [...]
Posted by LB on September 28, 2009
http://henkeeper.wordpress.com/2009/09/28/four-weeks/
Perching
We were warned that ex-batts are harder to care for than other chickens, and that one thing they tend not to do is roost/perch, often sleeping in the nest box instead. Last evening, I went out a little later than usual to lift the ramp and clear the feeders and while I was moving around [...]
Posted by LB on September 27, 2009
http://henkeeper.wordpress.com/2009/09/27/perching/
Grass Cuttings and Pellets
I’ve been wary of giving the girls too rich a food, but also of over-feeding with treats. So the other day, when I had to get them into the run so that I could go out, but it was too early in the day to offer corn, I threw in a handful of Ex-Batt Pellets [...]
Posted by LB on September 26, 2009
http://henkeeper.wordpress.com/2009/09/26/grass-cuttings-and-pellets/
Wire and Netting
Well we managed at least to get the netting on, and the wire round … but when it came to putting the tarpaulin over, disaster struck … the cage is about 10cms wider than it should be, and the tarpaulin about 10cms less! Another is on it’s way (if it arrives when promised, I shall [...]
Posted by LB on September 25, 2009
http://henkeeper.wordpress.com/2009/09/25/wire-and-netting/
Hens in waiting
Week 3 Eggs – total for week 3 = 24 The hens arrived three weeks ago today … it’s gone so fast! We won’t be putting the netting on the run until Friday (and not then if we still have to go shopping for the Harvest Supper for the following day … ) so in [...]
Posted by LB on September 21, 2009
http://henkeeper.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/hens-in-waiting/
Hen Pics
