Unexpected fertility

I went into the field this evening to check up on the sheep and what did I see a lamb! what a lovely surprise. Didn't think mum was old enough teenage pregnancy.

Baby Chicks are now in the nursery pen outside and loving it and getting bigger.

Live Cockeral Hat

Came out this am to find my hen has actually hatched a chick. It was pretty doubtful at many time along the way. She laid on these eggs on a perch near to next doors dogs out in the elements. She had 12 eggs she was down to 5 as she kept accidentally knocking a few off the perch when she left the nest at feeding times. she now has 7 eggs so she is laying eggs whilst hatching chicks.

I took the decision today to move her off the ledge into the nursery. I risky decision as very high risk of her going off the eggs. This is balanced with chicks falling off the ledge when they hatch and dying. Touch dilemma. Anyway I lifted mum and eggs and baby chick all at the same time and put her in the nursery coop. Phew Mum hasn't rejected chick or eggs. Whilst doing it out of protection cockerel flew and landed on my head and shoulders to see what I was doing with his lady and child. All is well in the chicken coop now.

Chickens for eating

This blog is a diary of my life as a smallholder and my smallholding is about knowing where my food comes from.. This is about eating my chickens so if you veggie or don't want to read its time to move away from this blog until the next post.

I have chick births today and yesterday. Its also been a sad day but a time to mark out of respect to the animals that I raise for food,.I had some very kind friends who are licenced to dispatch Chickens come round this afternoon. I had far too many cockerels  and had to dispatch two of my cockerels. There was no horror story they are very professional. They stunned the birds within seconds no pain no trauma. Very dignified and they had a happy life.

I then plucked the chickens. I have plucked pheasants but never a chicken. Lot easier with a chicken in my opinion. Then removed all the inner bits. Considered saying the livers but didn't in the end. The two Birds are now in my freezer. Need a couple of days before I will look forward to the meat.

I have to admit its taken me 4 years to get to this point of been able to dispatch my own chickens.

Time to check on the other 4 hatching chicks in the incubator

Chicks a hatching

Yesterday on day 19 I think! The first hatched now up to 5 and another 4 breaking through.

5 in their new warm home

Broody Hen

I put eggs in the incubater and two days later hen decides to sit on the rest of the eggs. So double load of chicks hopefully. I bet she has a better success rate then me. we will see in a few weeks time

Its that time of year

Its that time of year that I get make good friends again with the strimmer. As we will be spending a lot of time together over the next few months

I spent time today sorted, cleaning and getting Poly tunnel ready. I planted tomatoes cucumbers, herbs and lettuce. Spent lots of time strimming and weeding. The years war against Blackberries begins. I enjoyed listening to my honey bees. Yes they survived. looking forward to honey this year!

Poly tunnel bed ready for action.

Winters experiement. My first pease of the season will be ready

My wild herb bed Sorrel and wild garlice coming up nicely almost the weeds!

This is the path to the wild garden sometimes refered to as my secret garden.

The path to the bees and fruit garden

The wild fruit garden and bees under the trees

This years beds protected from growth.

Rhubarb has survived!

And then time to relax and enjoy watching the sheep!

Animal Antics - has there been a full moon?

Where do I start. lets go sheep went to pick nettles this am in the field for sauces. The sheep not happy that I had a bucket without food and I was filling it with nettles. Ram started to head butt me and tried to chase me out the field lol. I resisted telling him he will be mutton shortly if he didn't stop!.

Young cats loving the window being open when I am home they can come and go as they wish. Not that they are ruined at all. Unfortunately it means they bring in their catch. Too well fed yesterday as brought in a shrew alive and dropped it on the floor and walked off. 4 cats stood round this live mouse and they all ignored it. Had to catch it in my shoe and throw it outside.  I am sure the Shrew is now thinking how lucky it is. Ninja caught a mole. not sure how!

Problem with the window open and hot weather and Chickens in the back garden (netted as per defra) They have decided they want to come in the open window and say hello. Spent most of the day yesterday pm training them they are not allowed. Think they have grasped it. No attempts today.  Had good fun today whilst making sauces watching the drake chase a female chicken round trying to steal the female chickens slug!, It went on for a while the drake was tenacious and won the slug!

Bees I can see them flying not going near them today lol so much bizarre behaviour today!