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.
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.
Three of the chickens… the fourth is already at my feet. They always come running to their momma. *beams* Little Miss, who was sick, is now doing much better. All are now considered elderly, as they’re very much at the end of their egg-laying life. From here all out it’s all about funfunfun!
May brings the feeling of summer, and the hopes of bumper crops. But as always, May can be deceptive. Around these areas frost isn’t unheard of in May or even June, meaning we have to be careful what gets planted out, and a careful watch of overnight temperatures to know if tender plants need covering with fleece.
As it stands, I’ve only planted out peas, onions, and early potatoes so far, and riskily sown parsnips, carrots, a few lettuce and beets. The greenhouse is swelling with other plants to the point that I’m going to have to risk frosts if I want to make any more sowings. As there are a surplus of some, I’m thinking about planting out half for the space, and retaining half for a few more weeks.
The chicken, Little Miss, who was rushed to the vet isn’t doing as well as I’d like. She was on antibiotics for an infection, but deteriorated when the course ended. She’s now on a second course, but has lost so much weight (yet eating well) that when she gets checked up, I may have to make a difficult decision about what’s next. Understand that my chickens are pets, not livestock, so her health and well being are paramount.
Off to the vet with one of the hens… =(
Today was glorious! I desperately hope that today is the start of spring around here. I made use of the mild weather to gather up and treat wood to build solid walls for the chooks. I even took my hat off! There were so many people at the allotments, the sunshine and warmth seem like such a rare thing to us pale-skinned english, that as soon as there’s a glimpse we’re outside, hats (and shirts!) off.
The roads are being gritted this evening, so it seems the local council is expecting ice tonight. Hmm.
Onion seedlings have been transplanted from their tray into individual cells. If only half survive (I lack luck in onions from seed) that’ll be plenty. I do also have some sets to go in, as a back up.
I’ve decided to make or buy a shed-type structure for the chickens. All this wet weather means that they’re hopping out of their coop into puddles of water… and although they don’t seem to mind the wet weather at all, *I* do. I mind that such a wet ground makes it impossible to sweep out, which means it smells. Nothing else will work. I’ve already given them a roof and shelter from the rain on the two prevailing sides, but because the ground lacks drainage of any kind (very heavy clay), water just flows in and pools *everywhere*.
So. A trench to improve drainage (hopefully) for the main run, and a shed for the coop in the fox-proof area where they’re super-secure overnight. Plus it’ll be much easier to keep clean.
Theoretically, I can afford to buy an 8x6 shed. But. I really don’t feel good about buying new wood. I will accept buying new and treated frame pieces for strength, but if possible I’d like to make this out of reclaimed wood. I made the coop out of reclaimed wood, but a coop for 4 chickens was a much smaller project than a shed-sized structure!
Or maybe we can just make-do. Not every winter will be as severe as this. Although very wet weather is common in these parts…
This is Little Miss. Little Miss loves to be picked up and stroked. She’s distinctive with her many white feathers on her back. “Little Miss” should’ve been a temporary name, but it stuck.
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