Bye Bye Bantams...

Sad day yesterday as Mr & Mrs Bucket have gone.

They have been relocated to an animal sanctuary called HACK in North Wales (http://www.hackonline.org.uk/). It's predominantly for horses but they do have quite a number of varied species living there too including other chickens. This way, they'll both be able to remain together and no longer cause problems with neighbours. It's probably worth noting that if you do intend to have chickens, even living on a farm has it's complications. Sad day.

Pet Food ...

For sometime I've been thinking 'what IS actually in the pet food I'm feeding my trusty felines'? Do we actually know whether its causing more harm than good? So, going forward and in taking a leaf out of my parents book, I want to change from the standard pre-packaged and tinned cat food and shift to something more home-made and trustworthy. This then raises the question as to what DO cats actually need in a healthy balanced diet. It might be worth reading this article from the ecologist in the meantime just to give you some insight... http://www.theecologist.org/green_green_living/home/268818/should_my_dog_eat_dog_food.html
So, suggestions welcome again ladies and gents and I'll keep you posted on what we plan to do.

SWAP

Anyone got a light Sussex hen to swap with healthy young bantam blue wyandottes cockerel. Live on farm in NWales. Complaints already in less than 24hrs. Refusing to kill and waste money.

Temp Chicken HQ...

Check out the coop which lovely Jimbob helped assemble. Temporary location via the pond for now until clearing made in designated Chicken HQ behind the barn. The birds have been named; will be challenging to try remember them. We have, the Three Witches of Eastwick aka Alexandra, Sukie and Jane, Barbara and Mr and Mrs Bucket aka Hyacinth and Richard. All seem to have settled in and survived their first night. Our cats are extremely curious with the new editions. Three eggs on the first day already. The home-made dust bath appears to be a success amongst tribe flock!

Bantam Blue Laced Wyandotte Mr & Mrs Bucket

Black Rock (Witches of Eastwick Alexandra)

Chelford Agricultural Auction...

Made a trip up to Chelford Market yesterday morning. It was chaos. First time I've ever been to an agricultural auction. Still no scooby on what Mr Auction Man was actually saying. It was great to see such a wide variety of birds and many many other animals. No children were hurt in the horde of sellers and buyers. We witnessed a few semi-suicidal chicks flying out of cages. Six birds in total brought home with us. Three Black Rock Girls, one Salmon Faverolle and a pair of Bantam Blue Laced Wyandotte. After purchase, we discovered that one of the Blue Laced Wyandottes was actually a cockerel and the Salmon Faverolle was feeling somewhat broody, subsequently, once back home, she was swapped with a Buff Orpington from Lodge HQ. So, even though it rain throughout the whole trip, it ended with sleepy smiles all round.

Cats v Swifty Swallow...

Close encounter! 

Somehow a swifty swallow must have got into the cottage whilst my back was turned and started making a racket trying to escape. This didn't help as it only attracted the attention of my two kitties. All was safe until the bird made a wrong turn towards the cats. The cats pounced and George (the youngest) came up triumphant with a fluttering bird in her mouth. Not good. However, after a few mins of shock, I managed to get George to release the bird and shooed both cats outdoors. Now it became a waiting game. So after numerous poos on my kitchen table, the swift swallow managed to escape through the skylight to freedom and away from kitty jaws. Certainly time to put the kettle on!

New Girls on the Way...

Happy times, my new girls are hopefully coming on Monday. It's been decided that chickens are the first birds to join the Hodgkinson/Johnson family. Hutch and run to be assembled tomorrow. Thank you to Mr Henry and his friend for the long term lend of it (so it certainly saves me pennies). Temporary home to be by the pond for now until clearing made in selected wooded area by the barn. No definite decision on the breed yet. Pics to follow along with trials and tribulations of Bank Holiday Monday's adventures.

Chickens

So today has been preoccupied with making decisions. One of which involves CHICKENS. So, the plan is to certainly have some to provide us with our own eggs (possibly look at meat options at a later date) however, lets just stick with eggs for now. All suggestions welcome on what type of breed we should have. A location has been determined, hutch to be sourced/made. Might be a test of my DIY skills. Certainly going to check out freecycle (http://www.uk.freecycle.org/) - which I recommend everyone should do however,  I'm sure you'll be enlightened with images to follow at a later date.

To add drama into the 'batch' - Jim has mentioned he'd prefer DUCKs... watch this space :-)