It’s been a lousy month for pet hens. My neighbours have lost hens recently, all unconnected. And then Brazil came down with septic peritonitis, which apparently isn’t uncommon for ex-battery hens. It’s bittersweet being at the allotment now. The 3 new hens have settled in well, made friends with Brazil, Carly (ex-bat) and myself, and are laying their first little eggs.
I’ve harvested cauliflowers, broccoli, beans, salads, asparagus peas, strawberries, blueberries, courgettes, onions, carrots and potatoes, and everything is growing well with plenty to share with my friends and neighbours.
But I miss Little Miss and Harriet, and will miss Brazil, who was laid to rest today to end her discomfort. She first saw the vet on Monday, we hoped she’d stabilise, but that didn’t happen.
Keeping ex-battery hens is very rewarding. They fall in love with you as much as you do with them. I have no regrets. But… it is heartbreaking that they leave so soon because of their stressful past lives.
Brazil, R.I.P.
I lost two chickens within a week of each other. Harriet was sudden, possible heat stroke. Little Miss (posting her pic was very late, I was too upset) has had numerous problems, and another came up. We decided to have her put to sleep. That was the most heartbreaking, as I was holding her when she was injected and took her final breath. It was really hard.
Three more chickens moved in, they were arriving anyway, and I decided not to postpone. So now there are five. They are all well, although none are laying. The new hens are too young, and the old hens are a combination of old, and stressed. They may lay a few months more when they’ve adapted to the new chooks.
Haven’t taken many pics lately, but I’m harvesting new potatoes, carrots, asparagus peas, romaine lettuce and beets on a regualr basis. The strawberries were bountiful, I’ve frozen 5 litres, and eaten 3 litres in 2-3 weeks! They’re ended now. Oh! And today I ate a handful of blueberries, too.
Courgettes will be ready very soon, as well as french beans. Left a veg box at my neighbours today. I like giving the gift of veg, especially when it’s so colourful!
Little Miss, R.I.P.
Harriet, R.I.P.
Todays dinner was these potatoes (which are so creamy they’re like eating butter), my own baby leeks, and baked tofu with lemon, parsley, and cilantro. It was heavenly!
Dessert was my own strawberries, straight up. I’m so overrun with strawberries, some are already heading for the freezer for later smoothies. Mmhmm.
No photos this time, but an update. Yesterday I harvested my first new potatoes, some baby carrots whilst thinning them (they were perfect!), and a few peas (eaten right there at the plant, hehe). I’ve also been eating my own strawberries for about a week, and today I’ve brought home some “Devil’s Tongue” lettuce, and some baby beets.
The elderflower cordial is all done and bottled. I’m so pleased with it, it’s gorgeous, especially made with sparkling water. Next project before it’s too late is elderflower champagne… I’ll be starting that in the next few days.
Slugs have been eating my uber-cool kidney bean plants before they have any chance… I’m not holding out hope. This is what they would’ve been:
Otherwise, everything seems to be growing well!
A little snap-happy this afternoon. Summer was in the kitchen while the rain outside watered the plants.
flowers and sugar
Recipe from selfsufficientish.com
Elderflower Cordial
Ingredients
20 elderflower heads
1 sliced lemon
2 tsp of citric acid (ask at your chemist)
1.5 kg (3.5 lbs) of sugar
1.2 ltr (2.5 pints) boiling water
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