Laying Ducks and Hens

It will soon be spring although weather wise it doesn't feel like it!!

Ducks and Chickens are laying. Chickens that I hatched and raised becoming characters the Cockerel has his voice. Sits on top of the duck house or in a tree practising his vocals. Don't think he will be on Britain's got talent anytime soon but he certainly is a very large Chicken! Quite funny watching him fly into the apple tree. I think one of his ladies has started to copy and sits ontop of the hen house.

Male ducks I raised well they know what to do. With this laying lark thinking about incubating eggs. I have for the last two years used an incubator. Maybe its time to get a silkie or bantam known for their broodiness.

Sheep well they just the same spoilt in a big field. With ducks and chickens and sheep sorted not had much time for the garden. Was hoping to spend 4 days next week catching up but its forecast more of the wet stuff. Good job I have another month to clear the garden before I want to plant!!

Kittens um advised to keep in for a month. they are champing at the bit to get out and play with the birds. They will just have to dream whilst watching the birds through the window. They are still heaps of fun and affectionate on their terms. Typical cat!!

So re-plan for next week get my sauce business ready for Bude farmers Market from Good Friday and for the taste fest of the Bude food assembly which happens first weds of the month. So if you are local and want to taste KT's Kitchen delightful sauces get yourself down to Rosies in Bude on Wednesday.

In the new Polytunnel

Spent last two days preparing my polytunnel. Good clean in and out. Levelled and weed suppressant pegged down. Workstation in situ. Already to go! 

Temperature in there today is 19 degree. Warner than my house!! 

Also done a general tidy up. Around the polytunnel. Plant pots with plants all placed together. Empty ones in another and looks a lot better beginning to look like a planting area! 

Just them blackberries to clear!!  

Preparation for the next season

All going on today at the Smallholding. Project sheltered vegetable patch is under way. Cleared loads of Blackberries and coppiced some willow trees. When I say some willow there is loads I can see some willow creations in the making. The willow was sawn near the ground so that it will grow back next year healthy and can be used more easily. A bonus for the neighbours as the willow was overgrown and they will get a better view of the countryside. The blackberries attacked me as I cleared them, Worth it though as lovely open space now for my vegetable beds. The raspberry bed was freed from blackberries and other fruit area cleared. Looking a lot better after a day.

As well as chain sawing some willow for me, a friend put the lid on the polytunnel. 

It needs finishing tomorrow but will be a great growing space this year. So looking forward to the gardening this year.

The sheep are looking very healthly.

The Ducks and chickens are laying eggs which is great news. I wont mention the ducks escaping episode!!

The new additions the kittens are settling in well. A dog came to visit them today and they stole the dogs bed!!

All doing well down on the smallholding but its going to ache tomorrow!

Bedding in

The chickens and ducks have started to lay eggs. 

The ducks escaped three times yesterday. A bit of food soon convinces them to return. Finally found their escape route and blocked it. Today no escape or if they did they went and came back at bed time!               

The holigan kittens really settled. Trying to introduce dogs and other animals so they become proper farm cats. Keeping them in going to be a problem as they bird watching through the window. 

Sheep -good job they have a Woolley coat 

New additions ninja and truffle

New additions to the Smallholding

Meet my new additions.

This is Ninja

And this is Truffle

It took them an hour to get their paws under the table. They are now charging around chasing each other really amusing to watch. They aren't one bit phased by other cat. Looks like they will settle in well. They are also full of mischief hehe.

Next seasons looking bright

Well if the rain would stop that is...............................................
Apart from the weather got plans for this year. The secret garden is becoming my new veg patch. Its been full of brambles. Today I cleared a large space and found plastic under a large amount of the weeds. Cool made clearing a lot easier and creation of veg bed easier. It was worth getting soaked for!

                                                                                  Before

After

Not the only one getting soaked look at the hens bad hair day!

The cockerel I have raised is in good voice and definitely rules the hens.

The sheep are doing well in the field good job they have woolly coats.

He will have 6 more ladies to rule as I have committed to taking 6 rescue chickens. The ladies I have are now producing eggs again. Looks like they are loving their new residency which is a lot more sheltered and safe!

I am getting 4 more lady ducks who are laying so there will be duck eggs too.

Plan for this year is more bees so will get that lovely honey again and the field has a years rest from pigs who incidentally uprooted and ate a lot of the weeds in the field. So more pigs.

I wont mention hopefully new feline friends tomorrow just in case.

The car is great its great to be back in a 4x4 that can carry animals and pull a trailer just got to get a trailer!

So plans all lot great for the up coming season!!