I can't believe it is nearly a week since the kids went back to school. In that time I feel I have done very little but been busy all the time doing it! I think some is just getting back into routine. I have infact been tidying round the garden getting things planted for the winter and clearing beds ready for planting. I also clean and clear paths so that they are safer over the winter.
At the weekend I collected two Light Sussex dual purpose chickens to add to our flock. I discussed with the breader the best way of introducing them. My intial plan had been to isolate them for a week and then introduce them to the solitary hen. The breader suggested I would be better putting them in together so none of them became pairs. This does mean if the new ones have any infection my one hen is vulnerable. However, I could see the logic of trying to set up a flock of three from the start. So when we got home we moved all three into a fresh run, in a different part of the garden. All went well in the first half hour then the original hen decided that she was boss and has been putting her foot down with a firm beak. That is how things continue, no physical damage has been done so far, so we will need to keep a close eye.
Our doe who has kitted has we think, 10 kits and all is going well, The one who failed to kit is back in with buck and they are snuggled up keeping each other comfy. I am not convinced there are going to be baby kits! However, the buck clearly is enjoying the company. In light of this we have decided to source a third doe so we have two breeding does who will live together - hopefully!
Today, I also had a two ring gas hob put in beside our Raeburn so we don't need to use the Raeburn in the summer. Up until now we have had an electric hob on top of the Raeburn, with the risk the Raeburn may be switched on and set the whole lot on fire! Now I need to get the tiling fixed and we should be back fully functional.
The only other achievement of the week was creating a salad out of the garden. The slugs and snails have made sure we have no lettuce leaves so I used dandelion, mallow, beetroot ,and nasturtium leaves with nasturtium and mallow flowers and fresh peas. It was lovely.
At the weekend I collected two Light Sussex dual purpose chickens to add to our flock. I discussed with the breader the best way of introducing them. My intial plan had been to isolate them for a week and then introduce them to the solitary hen. The breader suggested I would be better putting them in together so none of them became pairs. This does mean if the new ones have any infection my one hen is vulnerable. However, I could see the logic of trying to set up a flock of three from the start. So when we got home we moved all three into a fresh run, in a different part of the garden. All went well in the first half hour then the original hen decided that she was boss and has been putting her foot down with a firm beak. That is how things continue, no physical damage has been done so far, so we will need to keep a close eye.
Our doe who has kitted has we think, 10 kits and all is going well, The one who failed to kit is back in with buck and they are snuggled up keeping each other comfy. I am not convinced there are going to be baby kits! However, the buck clearly is enjoying the company. In light of this we have decided to source a third doe so we have two breeding does who will live together - hopefully!
Today, I also had a two ring gas hob put in beside our Raeburn so we don't need to use the Raeburn in the summer. Up until now we have had an electric hob on top of the Raeburn, with the risk the Raeburn may be switched on and set the whole lot on fire! Now I need to get the tiling fixed and we should be back fully functional.
The only other achievement of the week was creating a salad out of the garden. The slugs and snails have made sure we have no lettuce leaves so I used dandelion, mallow, beetroot ,and nasturtium leaves with nasturtium and mallow flowers and fresh peas. It was lovely.
RSS Feed
