We return from holiday to find Hitler Hen has died

February 27, 2011

We return from a week away to discover that one of our favourite chickens has died and another has a prolapse. It’s been a tough few months for our flock.

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Things to do in a power cut #15: bottle the grape wine

February 18, 2011
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A well-timed power cut this afternoon stopped my work in its tracks. Not such a good thing when I had so much to get done this afternoon, but in other ways perfect considering the need to bottle the grape wine had been playing at the back of my mind. I’d promised Chris, next door, that [...]

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I’ve re-planted the strawberry plot

February 13, 2011
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Our strawberries have made it through winter stronger and more numerous than ever, so I took advantage of the dry weather to replant all the free children plants.

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Yoghurt killer

February 6, 2011

A long time away from yoghurt making has seen us forget the most basic rules of the craft, with predictably poor results.

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Gabby the chicken heads for the coop in the clouds

January 23, 2011

Our favourite chicken was puffed up and sleepy, so we were pretty sure she didn’t have much longer to live, but her death was still cause for sadness in the coop.

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How to make toad in the hole

January 15, 2011
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oad in the hole – or sausage toad if you prefer – is a great winter dish. Nice thick sausages, a crispy batter and plenty of gravy are perfect for warming up on a cold evening, and it makes for a satisfying meal if you pair it with plenty of veg.

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The smallest egg we’ve ever seen

January 10, 2011
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One of our chickens has laid the smallest egg either of us have seen. It’s about the size of a pound coin and has a very tiny yolk indeed.

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Another chicken pops out… from behind

January 8, 2011

No sooner had we cured one chicken of its prolapsed bum and felt rather proud of ourselves for reintroducing her to the flock than another one succumbed to the same fate. This one wasn’t so easy to deal with.

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2010 with the chickens

January 1, 2011
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A prolapsed chicken, a dead chicken, almost 1500 eggs… 2010 has been an interesting year to keep hens, and a rewarding one, too. Here’s to chicken success in 2011.

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The prolapsed chicken is getting better

December 28, 2010

Our hen with the prolapsed vent is making good progress after four days of TLC and regular applications of Germoloids.

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