Thinking about chickens Part three!

 Part three- still thinking about whether to replace my chickens or not. So on with the story-

It didn't take me long to miss my chickens and so once more I was on the hunt for hybrids again. We wanted friendly non digging chickens (my pure breeds weren't very keen on being handled despite our best efforts). On researching the different sorts I decided an Amber Star would be a good choice, a Rhode Island cross and we went for a  Sussex Reverse ( no particular reason other than my son took a liking to her!) .

we've just arrived

Lots to find

Mabel the Amber star ( creamy white) was delight and very calm and loved attention and company . She was easy to handle and would have come and watched Tv with us if she could!.

Mabel

 Edna, the Reverse Sussex( like a Light Sussex but black with white markings and smaller) was always a little flighty and seemed to be the bad tempered menopausal chicken. She hated being handled. However she was the chicken who told us when an egg was being laid- even if it wasn't herself! She was very noisy and I think she may have thought she was a cockerel at times! She took a distinct dislike to Mr H and would shout at him if he came anywhere with a rake or other garden implement-

Edna

 quite unlike Isla Mai  the Rhode island cross who would have had a ride on the lawnmower if it had been allowed!

waiting for treats

Isla Mai  ( red and very much like a Rhode Island Red but again smaller) was a lovely happy chicken who enjoyed human company and allowed us to carry her around.

Salad for lunch

We were very sad when we she went on to chicken heaven and she was then followed by Mabel which left us with Edna. Edna seemed to miss the others- especially as she became more and more  bad tempered. We thought the kindest thing for her was to find a loving home for her with lots of chicken company and so off she went too.

Ooooh are we being photographed?

We now have an empty coop and run and have had  for some months now- and I have been thinking of what to do- I think the ground where the Eglu was needs a little bit of a rest. We are thinking of building a couple of raised beds to grow some salad stuff and things like mange tout, courgettes spinach for starters.

Whats this white stuff?

So what to do with the Eglu? I have thought about selling it- and  probably would get about £200  - I'm not sure if thats an over estimate or not ! But on checking the prices of a new one - I'm feel it would be a shame to sell and then have to start all over again - I know it was a lot for us to have had to find when we first purchased everything and I know we would find  it hard to warrant spending that sort of money at the moment. So thats where we are at- I think we will be keeping everything- I'll just have to squirrel everything away in corners of the garden. 

In the mean time I have started to think about bantams- and even Mr H says he would be amenable- any one have any experience?

Thinking and reminiscing about chickens part two

Having had one lot of chickens , I couldn't resist - the chicken bug had taken over!

The second set we went for were pure breeds- a Light Sussex, a Cuckoo Maran and a Rhode Island Red.      

Magnum and Edwina Mai

 These came from the same breeder and all got on very well.

Magnum , the White sussex was quite placid and not very bright.

Stardust

 The Cuckoo Maran, we called Stardust, used to bustle about quite like Queen Victoria in her dark skirts and was often prone to getting broody. We likened it to her having the vapours! She was also very much the boss. The Rhode island Red - Edwina Mai was our definite favourite- keeping out of everyones way and the most amenable to being picked up and had a fondness for sultanas and currants. They all loved playing tomato rugby and we were entertained for hours watching their antics as they chased each other for the cherry tomato. grabbing it at an opportune moment and then running with others following, waiting to tackle!

whats going on out there?

 We lost Edwina Mai suddenly. We had a rethink -the pure breeds were large- probably a bit to big for the Eglu and run and they were making a big mess of the garden. They were great diggers- not sure where they were hoping to go! and so it was decided the last two would go to make friends with other chickens nearby.

 In fact one of our chickens became very chummy with  one of the chickens in the new place called Cookie who had been bullied by her contemporaries. The two became inseparable and it meant that Cookie and her new friend were reintegrated into the group again! I'm so glad that one of my chickens helped Cookie rehabilitate into the group!

ohhh how I miss them bustling about calling in the morning, and  charging up and down the run when they saw movement in the kitchen!  I must try and remember the mess they make- but it is soooo good for the allotment dont you know!!!! and the eggs  the yellowest of yolks and all so fresh  !!!!!!

No we really are very camera shy today!

Thinking and reminiscing about chickens in three parts- Part One

 Recently I  have been  thinking about the chickens we have had and whether I will have more and in order to help me think I thought I would tell you about them. 

It only  seems like yesterday but It was Christmas 2007 and I  hard started to think about having chickens- we had an allotment and it seemed a natural follow on to keep poultry. I really became obsessed with reading everything to do with chickens. I spent a lot of time on the Omlet Forum but how was I going to persuade Mr H?

Getting used to their new surroundings

 It didn't take much I think he was so fed with me on the forums that in the end he agreed as long as I spent less time on the computer - Hurrah a result!

The chickens and eglu were ordered ( before Mr H changed his mind) and we were given a date! We couldn't wait and when the van drew up I was sooo excited. The delivery man was fantastic- he helped put the run and house together. He was so knowledgeable and reassured us. He then brought the chickens out  of the van and showed us how to clip the wings and we settled them into their run.
 The fun started that night as they didn't found their way into the coop. We ended up opening up the house from the side and shining a torch in and they eventually were drawn to the light and once one went in the others followed. At last they were tucked up for the night!

Sun bathing  in the run

Babs Ginger and Betty Boop free ranging

finding yummy things to eat

we so love free ranging

Mountaineering - instead of going to bed!

First egg - hmm hope the cost of these comes down!

Its getting dark now perhaps we should head home

 I really enjoyed having my chickens. I have since had two lots more. This  first lot of chickens were  two  Gingernut rangers  called Babs and Ginger and a Miss Pepperpot called Betty Boop.  The red girls bullied my poor Miss Pepperpot who appeared to be a few weeks younger than them. Those girls were very naughty and were very definitely characters and despite there naughtiness were very endearing. We had a lot of fun with them. One day I looked for them  free ranging in the garden and couldn't see them from the kitchen. I panicked, opened the back door to go searching for them and there they were huddled up together next to the back door on the mat listening to the noises in the kitchen!
  Their habit of pecking each other did get to me and eventually they had to take a trip to a local farm where they then stayed in the company of lots of other chickens and a cockerel who told them who was boss!
Part Two tomorrow see you then...........

Tynemouth Longsands

We had a fabulous couple of days up in the North East visiting family. Well it was really only a day and a bit, once we took travelling time into consideration. We all love visiting there so much- spending time with family and there is always plenty to do and lots of places to visit.

We invariably make a visit to Longsands which is just down from Tynemouth and this weekend was no exception. The beach is wide and has the most beautiful sand you could imagine! There were lots of families out as well as dog owners walking their furry friends. Its so heartening to see people out taking advantage of the dry weather and getting fresh air and exercise!

Isn't this just such a lovely view- from the top of the cliff before the descent down to the beach1

I love this sign so polite but self explanatory- It wasn't quite sun bathing weather so we didn't need to take the sunscreens this time!

This is our favourite cafe which is right down on the beach . It has seating both inside and out and serves no  nonsense food- from panini s - e.g. tuna melt with jalapenos_( yummy) to cheesy chips- all at a very good price and decent portions. The rule in our family is that we have to do the walk first. So after a quick look at the menu we headed out onto the beach

Lots of families and dogs all playing and enjoying the fresh air! Even my young people reverted to the child within and chased about with seaweed!

The views were lovely if a little dark and wintry

and once you start you can find lots of things to photo!

At last we claimed a table and even sat outside the cafe and enjoyed the view

Lots of hungry eaters and their coffees! and of course the cheesey chips!

On the way home the signs on the arches in Gateshead made us smile  as we have been watching episodes of Vicar of Dibley  this Christmas.! Good family viewing everyone was happy to watch ( and  that can be difficult ) for both those new to the programme and those that had seen it before!

Christmas and our trip up North have been  a lovely bonding time! and now sadly back to work, college , Uni and on with all that 2013 has to bring us!

We've been visiting the north east for a day or two!

Hi
 Just to say we have been up north for a day or two and have a a few photos to post - so look out for the next post!
 I have been thinking about new resolutions and what means the most to me. Santa was lovely and left me a Kitchen garden magazine and I used to be an  an avid reader but time got the better of me. Anyway suffice to say - my love for growing vegetables was always there- its just had an extra Christmas boost so watch this space. I hope to blog about my  plans my successes and and of course  my failures! I have an allotment but hope to keep that for longer growing vegetables and fruit. I  will grow some vegetables at  home as well for quick picking! I know I will miss the chickens but I think we really need to let the area rest for a year or so! The area will definitely be well fertilised!
I love growing our produce and finding ways of keeping it for the new year. I am so excited for 2013!   and hope to update you with my successes and failures with regard to preserving!
 First on the list will be the satsuma and cranberry relish which I will post in the next few days - this was described as sublime! so watch this space !

Wishing you a very happy new year !

We had a lovely Christmas with all the young ones back in the nest.

 We got our tree from a local farm and had great fun choosing which we should go for. 

Typically we all wanted a LARGE tree but had to remember that if the tree looked big in the shed then it was going to be humungous and too tall for home. Also we wouldn't be able to get it home! Whatever we bought had to fit in the car

 When unpacking the tree we found a birds nest near the bottom . I hope we didn't make any birds homeless for christmas. My son pointed out that in the cold they often hunker down in nests. I just hope this was a vacant one!

 Once the tree was decorated the cat was quick off the mark  and procured himself the best seat in the house-

I made hampers again filled with homemade goodies including a fun christmas apron and a variety of preserves including seville marmalade ( I started last January), apple and chilli jam  ( lovely a sweet with a delayed kick), autumn chutney ( made with some difficulty as at the time of making only one of the rings on the hob was working and that was the small one- It took some time to get the right consistency.) I also included a jar of luxury dried fruits soaked in Sherry- lovely with ice-cream and last but not least a jar of satsuma and cranberry relish which has been highly recommended!

I parcelled them all up in the brown bags as above. My daughter helped stencil them. The bags were saved from work- deliveries arrive in them and usually they are binned. I really wanted to reuse them and so came up with this idea. I  am really quite pleased with the outcome! and also very enviromentally friendly!

 Elder daughter wanted the cat to have a Christmas outfit and so she made him a bow tie with a velcro fastening- Cute eh? He actually didn't mind - I think he just loves being fussed over!

 We had a trip down memory lane with plastic soldiers and little dolls-

 I think Tinkerbell and friend have had tooo much to drink !

We had scratch cards with our crackers on Christmas day- ( now that they are all old enough) and that apparently made my younger daughters day!_ even though she didn't win any money!

Ohh I nearly forgot I wore my apron on Christmas day from Mrs Thomasina Tittlemouse's giveaway earlier this year. Its soo pretty and is very much prized!

Cheers to you Mrs Tittlemouse - hoping you had a lovely Christmas! I  am soooo looking forward to catching up on all my blog reading and finding out about everyones festive time!

Thats just a brief snapshot of our Christmas- hoping you had a christmas full of memories too!!

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!