My Happy Brood

Pollyanna's A Mum!

2013-03-24T19:20:00.001+00:00

Nearly a year on and much has happened. It took a full three months before Polly stopped bleating when I left her at Cow Creek. They even had to reinforce one of the gates and make it "Polly Proof" because she was frantically head butting each time I walked away. It was heart breaking really.

It was a wonderful moment one day though when she walked me to the gate, let me go through it without trying to push her way out too, then she stood and watched as I walked away and when I got to the entrance she turned round and went back to join the others. As my last blog (all that time ago) said "If you love something set it free, if it comes back it is yours, if it does not, it never was".

A year later Pollyanna is very much my girl. We still go through head butting stages but on the whole she's used to her life up there now.

Without wanting to ramble on too much I think I'll just let you know that as of yesterday morning at 0400hrs she became the proud (or not so proud) mum of twins. Audrey (as in Hepburn) and Edmund (as in Sir Hillary).

I would love to show you a picture of the three of them all happy and tucked up warm together but it didn't work out like that. Here's Edmund snuggled up in a towel and safe having gone through some nasty treatment by mummy.

Just in case any of you are thinking I should have given it more than 8 hours to let them bond believe me, I left it long enough. When they were born the poor think didn't know what to do with them. It was 4 in the morning, cold and dark. She'd been feeling uncomfortable for weeks, she's all on her own and suddenly two things push their way out of her. She had afterbirth dangling down and these two things were bleating for attention.

I got to her just as the second one had arrived and she was licking them but not in an maternal way, she seemed in a bit of a panic and didn't know what was going on. When they tried to feed she pushed them away and even head butted them out of the way.

By about 9am she had already made Edmund's nose bleed by pushing him around but I tried to let them all get on with it knowing that nature has it's way of making things right.

At 12.30pm I was watching them all in the pen and while Audrey had successfully managed to have a feed poor old Edmund wasn't getting close. I had two very dear friends with me. They are a married couple and very well known in our village. I shall call them Mr Rum & Raisin and Mrs Mint Choc Chip. We all watched in horror as Polly cornered little Edmund and went at him head on. In a flash I had my wellies on and I had climbed into the pen and retrieved him.

Any doubts about removing him from his mothers care were washed away. Before Mrs Mint Choc Chip was able to dress his wounds Mr Rum & Raisin took photographic evidence of Poor Baby Edmund.

Within minutes he was cleaned up, wrapped up, fed and happily sleeping.

There's a lot more to say about day 1 but for now I will leave you of a photo from this morning. Pol allowed Audrey to snuggle up after her feed and I have to commend our girl. She got there in the end and I'm sure she will indeed turn into a fantastic mum. It just goes to show that it doesn't always come naturally.

Finally a very big thanks to Mr Cow Creek, Mr Tam O'Shanter and the very wonderful Mr Rum & Raisin & Mrs Mint Choc Chip. I had a little moment last night when I realised just how lucky I am. Being independent is great but oh how lovely it is when friends rally round when you flounder a little.

If you love something set it free ..........

2012-05-08T21:37:00.003+01:00

....... If it comes back it is yours, if it does not it never was.

Yes, it's time to set Pollyanna free. She's a year old now and no longer a lamb. She's just as adorable and we all love her being here but it's time she went off to boarding school.

She's an absolute delight and gets herself into no end of trouble. If our kitchen door is left open she takes the opportunity to make her way upstairs and rummages through my filing tray. Bills, statements, they are all very tasty you know. Here's whats left of a voucher for a meal for 2 at a local restaurant. You try explaining it wasn't your puppy that ate it but your pet sheep!

Then of course, there are her intrepid trips into Feathers Lodge. If there's food, she'll find it! She'll go down on her knees to get their seed or she'll scale the fence to get all the goodies higher up.

Sadly though she needs to be with her own and realise she isn't a dog, a human or indeed a chicken. She's a beautiful sheep and we felt the best thing for her was to find new accommodation.

Tam O'Shanter very kindly said they would take her back but that's a good 25 min drive from me and I want her to be somewhere that I can visit every day. Even bring her back here to Taihape House for days out. Then of course there are her "public". She is known to everyone and loves to be out and about on her lead with Buffy.

Lady J (her Godmother) suggested some friends who have a small holding only a few minutes walk away and when they kindly agreed to have Polly on a Boarding School residency we were thrilled. Once they saw how gorgeous Polly is they went as far as to purchase two of her cousins from Tam O'Shanter Farm. Perfect - you'd think.

Oh no, it was never going to be that easy. We're now on day three and she still hasn't stayed the night on her own yet. On day one (Sunday) I stayed with her for a while and then left her with Helena. Apparently she bleated for almost an hour. On and on she went but eventually she decided if I wasn't coming back she may as well fill her belly on the lush grass underfoot. I went back a couple of times and each time she fretted so I brought her back to Taihape House for the night.

On day two I duly went back but Helena wasn't there so when I went to leave she hurled herself over the barbed wire fence to get to me - evidence below!

And so here we are now on day three. This was a very exciting day because we were collecting her cousins. First thing this morning I took her down and introduced her to the goats and a few sheep that already reside there. Half an hour I stayed with her while she followed me round. She was curious about them but really didn't want to have anything to do with them. I was pointing out her new friends to her and trying to encourage her to go and play but she steadfastly refused to leave my side.

It really is worse than leaving a child in nursery school.

Back home she went while we went off to Tam O'Shanter to collect the cousins (as yet unnamed). This afternoon I spent a couple of hours watching her as she tried to settle in. The cousins were quite curious and were happy to have a chat to her but she just ran off. They just carried on grazing away happy in each other's company. Strangely enough Polly seemed happier with the goats and they seemed to like her too. Button in particular was nuzzling her and she wasn't at all bothered.

Tomorrow I'll do it all again. It will be a slow process but I'm sure it will all work out well in the end. Like I said, it's just boarding school. Her home is still with us, we are very much mum and dad and she will come back to visit a few times a week.

3 Girls in 3 Months

2012-04-23T09:29:00.000+01:00

2012 has been a bit of a sad time really. I started the year with these 6 beautiful girls. Here they are out on walkabout together. Hetty, Doris, Penny, Joan, Helen and Mary. First the delightful Doris died, then last month Helen and only yesterday we lost Joan.

I can't tell you how broken I've felt each time it's happened. I keep telling myself that they're only chickens and think that it should get easier but it doesn't.

I've already blogged about Doris who was never really a well chicken. She suffered most of her life with breathing difficulties and every few months had to have some medication. She was a happy girl though, bossy at times but definately the mother hen of the group. Those last few nights with her were terrible. I sat up with her willing her to breathe til we could get her to the vet but in the end The Kiwi and I realised the best place for her was the great big chicken coop in the sky.

Helen was a different matter altogether. She came to us along with Joan in December 2010. There's a page dedicated to their first few days with me, it's a lovely read if tinged with sadness. Helen was the most affectionate of my girls. She'd be cuddled all day long if I'd let her. I got to the stage where I could do almost anything while holding her. Any time children came round she was the one I could rely on to oblige when they wanted to see what it was like to stroke a hen and pick one up. My trustee snuggly girl. Here she is being held by my good friend "The Dish" who actually didn't want to put her down.

On 6th April after being very sleepy and withdrawn for a few days I wrapped her up and put her on the chair in my bedroom. She loved it there - had even laid her eggs there. I went out to work and when I got home she'd passed away. After working hard in a battery farm for 18 months she was able to live a happy retirement free ranging and getting daily cuddles until finally falling asleep in her favourite chair. Wonderful.

And then there was Joan. She was the smallest of chooks. Only 2.5lbs and scruffy too. Here she is sporting the fleece I made for her. They were so tiny and frail that they had to be clothed to go outside. She was so good though, she'd stand still while I put it over her head and she stood like a child as I did her buttons up. Then once out of sight she'd peck at the buttons until they came undone and I'd find her flapping around the garden trying to balance as she stood on one end of her "jacket".

Once Helen went, Joan just seemed to go down hill. She would stand all day up by the greenhouse where Helen first started to show signs of being unwell. After a few days I was convinced that she was on her way out and I spent hours cradling her while she slept. But every day she would be up with the other girls waiting for her morning feed. Then on Friday she stayed inside all day. She slept on my lap while I watched a movie and I left her in the kitchen that night. Saturday came and she was still with us so I took her to the vet just in case there was anything I could do for her. I didn't want her pumped with medication though, I just wanted to make her comfortable. My lovely vet gave me an energy drink for her and said that keeping her hydrated was all I could do. So, all day Saturday I was syringing water into her. She'd wake up, shake her head and then go back to sleep again. I got up early yesterday morning almost hoping that she'd gone but she was still breathing. She sat on my lap for a couple of hours again then The Kiwi and I went to mass. When I got home she was just hanging on in there. Then when I picked her up and took her into the sunshine she just peacefully slipped away in my arms.

I know these are only chickens and their loss can't be compared to the loss of a loved one so don't worry, I haven't got it all out of proportion. But having nursed these girls to health in the first place, then watched as they learned how to love life, and finally cradling them in their final hours you can't help but ache when it's time to say goodbye.

God bless my darling girls Doris Day, Helen of Troy and Joan of Arc

Layging Again

2012-03-13T08:04:00.000+00:00

My original Welsummer Girls, Hetty and Penny had a moult in September and since then there have been no signs of eggs from either of them. My darling ex bats have produced one egg every other day between them so I've certainly had enough for myself but I usually put a little table at the end of our driveway with some eggs and an honesty box. All proceeds go to the British Hen Welfare Trust so my girls are helping other caged girls to be set free.

Finally this week Hetty produced one beautiful big brown egg. The Welsummers lay very dark brown eggs and their yolks are golden and firm - delicious. I knew for days beforehand that she was going to "drop one". Her comb was getting larger and redder and she had started to squat when I wanted to catch her. This means they're ready for mating. Then the great day came and she squawked before and after announcing to everyone that she had performed her duty.

A couple of days later Penny obliged too and here they both are basking in the glory of their hard morning's work. Now I can get earning some extra cash for the BHWT, a table will be out there today. This marks the true beginning of Spring for me. Daffodils are out and so are the eggs!

RIP Doris - November 2009 - January 2012

2012-02-01T19:59:00.002+00:00

Our lovely and very dottie Doris sadly died on January 22nd. What a terrible couple of weeks it had been. She's never been a healthy girl, she sneezed from day one, only ever laid one egg but loved to nest and then she developed a larg lump that a couple of vets thought may be a tumour.

About a year ago she started having breathing difficulties and was put on antibiotics and anti-inflamatories. She was good for most of the time but if she ran anywhere she'd be exhausted and struggled to catch her breath.

She was feeding well though and happy to be out and about with the other girls. She would keep herself busy and would spend time in the afternoon preening and sunbathing. Yes, Doris was a very content bird indeed.

A few weeks ago she took a turn for the worse and I took her to her usual vet. She was dosed up with medicine but it didn't seem to help. I had her in ICU under the stairs. A cage all to herself with the door open so she could come and go as she pleased but it meant I could keep an eye on her at night. If I heard her struggling to breathe I'd sit with her and make her comfortable.

Then on Sunday 15th she looked like she was on her last legs. I made an emergency call to a vet recommended to me by Polly's Godmother and made an appointment for the next day. All through the night I was willing her to be OK. "Stay with me just 8 more hours" I was saying to her at 1am. Then again at 5am "Just 4 more hours honey, stick with me, they'll make you better".

Lady J came with me to the most wonderful vet the next day and we were given 8 more days of medicine. She seemed to perk up a bit. She liked travelling in the car as it seemed to have a calming effect on her so one afternoon I even took her out for a drive! What is happening to me?!?!

Anyway, a few days later on Sunday 22nd after The Kiwi and I had steadfastly administered her medicine with a syringe she really was in a bad way. Both of us knew it wasn't fair to keep her any longer. He said "Darling, we have to let her go, say goodbye to her now".

I clung on to her and kissed and cuddled her but knew it was time so I handed her over and let my poor hubby deal with her.

Strangely enough Helen stayed with her for much of her last week. Wherever Doris was, Helen would be snuggled up next to her. Doris had been lovely to Helen when we first got her. The rest of them would bully Helen and Joan but our Dottie clucked around them and made sure they were OK. After we lost Doris, Helen was very withdrawn. Wanted to sleep a lot and wasn't interested in food. After a few days though a bowl of porridge with sultanas and lots of special snuggles brought her round.

Those of you who had the pleasure of meeting Doris will know she was a fabulous character. She loved her food and could nest for Britain. Those of you who didn't get to meet her missed out on one of life's true mother hens. These phrases all come from somewhere and she is a absolute deserver of that title.

God bless Dottie Doris Day. You were one in a million.

Buffy on Guard

2011-11-01T21:24:00.002+00:00

Buffy would spend every waking moment on the look out for squirrels and foxes. It used to be pigeons too but since getting the chooks she doesn't seem to mind them anymore. Oh there's a very large black crow that teases her mercilessly sitting on our cherry tree while she barks and barks, then it flaps its wings and swoops down just out of reach of Buffy's hungry jaws and flies to the other side of the garden to gloat a while longer.

Well here she is on duty looking out of the back door checking on her domain. She'll stay like that for hours. Quite chilled, making sure the chooks are ok and watching Polly potter round.

Then when she spots something she sits up, alert.

Realising this is a potential chase situation she circles round barking, I open the door and she flies out. She's like the wind is our Buffy. Built for comfort but my goodness can she move. When she reaches the end of the garden she puts the breaks on and her back legs almost come in front of her face as she skids to a halt.

She's seen off the potential baddy (whatever it may have been) and then she's back but prefers to sit outside because she knows there's something out there. She needs to be ready for them.

Then as dusk falls, the chooks are safely tucked up in bed, and Polly is resting, Buffy cuts a lonely figure. She's moved further out into the garden now still on the look out for any would be trespassers. Woe betide any man, woman or beast who comes onto her turf uninvited!

Action Down at CHH

2011-10-24T17:47:00.035+01:00

Apologies for not updating for some time but life is getting busy with The Kiwi, The Menagerie, oh and that other little thing called work that just gets in the way of life sometimes.

On another trip to Chestnut House Hotel we saw Buffy back on Cat watch. Polly had ramraided her way successfully onto the veg patch and the feathered girls were all happy clucking around outside so The Buff and I went inside to watch some TV.

Cat was in her usual position on the chair, and Buffy took her usual pose staring in at her.

There was much eyeballing from one to the other and then Buffy spotted the gap.

Oh how she tried to squeeze herself through but to no avail. Every which way she tried and all the while Cat just kept a steady gaze knowing she was safe. Can't blame a girl for trying though!

We ventured back outside and the feathered girls were ever so active, they were all over the place!

Camilla was quite happy standing on top of their home but Grace and Lizzie weren't so confident.

One of them managed to fly off quite successfully but you will see here the other wanted to take her time and check out every option before crouching down to take her leap of faith.

After much fuss and nonsense she took flight and dived to the ground with her wings flapping and legs spread wide open. You'd think she'd jumped out of a plane the way she carried on. After a safe landing she glanced around and waited for her applause. Didn't she do well!

Girls are Taking Over

2011-10-12T17:16:00.002+01:00

Where are all the boys in this world? Our six cooks, Polly and Buffy to start with then Godparents to Buffy have Lottie, Bess, Sophie and 5 girl cats, my VBF has her own girl dog Fudge, His Royal Gayness has his two girls Molly and Gracie then there are the five girls belonging to Polly's Godparents at Chestnut House Hotel, oops, make that six, there's a pussy cat too!

We've been down for our usual trip today and I decided to sit inside and watch a Big Brother episode that I missed last night. Polly was outside socialising and eying up the food containers but Buffy came inside with me. She sat looking into the conservatory where cat was. The door was ajar so cat could come in and out but Buffy's slightly rotund figure wouldn't fit through. She sat staring in, she was in hunting mode and didn't move for about 20 mins. Then she decided she'd try and get through the gap. There wasn't a chance she'd do it but oh how she tried. First it was a front paw and shoulder followed by the other paw but her other shoulder wouldn't fit so she tried it the other side first. She has an iron will and kept on trying but to no avail. She stood back, had a think and then tried opening the door with her head. No good either. A temper tantrum ensued followed by much barking and cat just sat on the chair looking at her. She knew she was safe.

So off Buffy went outside. Back last week the chooks weren't sure what to make of her. She's their size but doesn't look anything like them. She likes to eat their food though and they (particularly Grace and Lizzie) weren't having any of it. Grace won't have any messing from Buffy and regularly puts her in her place but Buffy's used to being part of a lively menagerie and keeps going in to see them.

They're getting used to me too, they even untied my shoelace today.

They still fight off any affection I might want to bestow on them but they recognise me now and start making a big fuss when they see me. They know freedom is on it's way and as I open their door they charge out. The problem comes when I want to put them back in. A bit like my own girls they have minds of their own and it's like a Benny Hill sketch with me running after them all in a line. It was taking so long I had to devise a fail safe system. Their favourite treat is mealworms so I rattle the container and they all come running to me then I drop them into the run from the top. They all dash in to gobble them up and before they know it I've done a head check and locked them back in.

I took Polly down in her new halter today and while she wasn't thrilled about it I think she'll get used to it, she didn't like the lead at first. There were a couple of times today when she just lay down and refused to move - not easy, you try shoving a 4 stone lump along! Then on the way home she really dragged her feet. I'll get my dad to take a photo of the three of us tomorrow as it does make rather a lovely sight!

What a bit of TLC can do

2011-10-11T11:56:00.002+01:00

In September we went through the 12 month barrier with Mary. They say if an ex bat survives a year with you you've done well. Unfortunately her counterpart Tess only made 10 days but Mary was much stronger when we got them. She did have a week were I thought we were going to loose her - coughing, difficulty breathing, listless etc. We brought her inside and treated her with antibiotics, anti-inflamatories and we de-wormed her. She pulled through and hadsn't shown any signs of illness since. Here she is tucking into some apple that Polly also had her eye on.

When December comes we'll have had Helen and Joan for a year. It was heartbreaking to see the condition they were in. Dirty, featherless (apart from their heads) and their combs (red bit on top of their heads) were enlarged, floppy and pale.

Joan is on the left with her foot in the food bowl and Helen is on the right with just a few more feathers down her front. It was months before they resembled anything like a proper chicken. You can hardly tell with Helen now, her body is covered in beautiful honey gold plumage. Joan still looks a bit scrawny, her tail feathers never grew back properly and she is tiny but there has been a wonderful change in her face. You see on the photo above that both of them are very pale, they look absolutely washed out.

Look at how she's changed. It's a total transformation. A lovely bright red healthy comb standing upright and lots of colour in her other features. Whenever food is put out she grabs some and runs away to eat it by herself because the others just grab it off her if she doesn't. She's happy to be picked up but has never been one for a cuddle. She used to climb frantically onto my shoulder and then jump off but now she grudgingly lets me hang onto her for a while and is even starting to relax and take in the moment.

And here is Helen. Look at that beautiful feathered body. The only evidence of her harsh treatment are those two bottom feathers on her wing which simply refuse to grow.

How they have flourished with a little bit of tender loving care.

Tuckin' In

2011-10-08T15:55:00.003+01:00

We've been taking daily trips to Chestnut House Hotel recently to get Polly used to getting walked on a lead. It's much more interesting if you actually have somewhere to go. Each day I show Polly her lead and she trots to the back gate and up comes the hoof to tap on it. She waits patiently while I put her lead on and the three of us (Buffy, Polly and I) head off for our stroll.

Now this should only take me about 8 mins. Picture this though. Polly loves to eat, Buffy loves to sniff, and everybody seeing this strange spectacle loves to talk. 30 mins later we usually arrive at our destination. If Lady J is there it's cup of T or gin and T depending on what time of day it is, if she isn't there we make ourselves at home in the garden. Lady J's chooks have a bit of a mosey round outside their run, Polly checks out the veg patch and Buffy stares into the conservatory window where she knows the cat usually rests. If the cat isn't there her food always is so either way, there's something in there that Buffy wants.

Polly is certainly getting used to this new place, she litterally stormed her way into the section of garden that she now considers to be hers. She loves those veggies!

Today, when we were coming home there was a group of people doing a sponsored cycle and they were taking photos of their trip out. What better photo to get than a lamb and a jack russell walking beside eachother on leads! I'm hoping my head was out of the shot as it isn't one of my best days today!

Reservation at Chestnut House

2011-10-05T17:36:00.001+01:00

We're very lucky to have wonderful friends and family to help out with the brood from time to time but one particularly kind friend (to be known as Lady J) has said that if we ever go away for a couple of weeks and are worried about Polly she is more than welcome to stay with them at Chestnut House.

I've said I'll muck in with their beautiful chickens when they need help so yesterday Buffy, Polly and I trotted down to Chestnut House for Polly to check out her Hotel. The walk should have taken 10 mins maximum but by the time Buffy had sniffed at everything and Polly had stopped to eat everything time was cruising on by. Coupled with the fact that passers by were asking a lot of questions and obviously I had a lot of explaining to do, 25 minutes later we arrived at Chestnut House.

Lady J was so lovely with Polly, I have a feeling that if Polly does go for a short visit I'll have trouble getting her back! They have a wonderful vegetable patch for her to tuck into and lots of bushes to have a go at. Five gorgeous chickens named Katie, Poppy, Lizzie, Grace and Camilla, two huge (and I mean huge) brown labradors and a cat complete Lady J's own brood so I don't need to worry about Polly missing out on her usual friends for company.

Polly was a bit unsure at first, she was just like a dog and stayed by my side wanting her head sroked. She was quite reserved and unsure about her surroundings. When we went inside she bleated mercilessly and that's when Lady J brought her inside. How lovely was that of her? I have a feeling that Lady J may well even invite Polly upstairs when Sir A isn't around! Polly soon made herself at home as you can see here (although for some reason I can't get it facing the right way).

She even tried to have a sip of our g'n't's and a mouthful of crisps but we weren't having any of that. We're going to be making a few trips up there in the next few days to get her used to the walk and the "hotel".

I have a feeling she'll be quite happy trotting down to Chestnut House Hotel each day with me!

Poorly Polly

2011-09-29T18:35:00.001+01:00

Last Thursday our Pollyanna had a bad tummy. Without wanting to get too graphic, you know those little currenty type poos that sheep normally do? Well she was doing full on cow pats! Not nice. Also, she had no interest in food and was very lethargic. Just wanted to come in and lie down in the kitchen and feel sorry for herself.

Unfortunately we were due to be going away for a couple of nights but I wasn't happy leaving her until we knew she was going to be ok. We had Ranger Tam O'Shanter round to give her the once over. He won't like to admit it but I think he still feels rather responsible for her as he's the very gent that foisted her on us in the first place.

We're lucky enough to have a very good friend who's a vet but Ranger Tam O'Shanter is always our first port of call. He's done all her vaccinations and ear tagging. Who better to shove a thermomiter up her bottom? He tried his best to get me to do it but to my shame I went abit squeamish and had to get the Kiwi to take charge. He did it without upsetting Polly too much and as it turned out her temperature was fine anyway.

The next day she was very much improved. Her appetite was a little better and she was munching away at her favourite things, she was even licking the radiators with gusto!

We'd lined up a hole host of people to keep a check on her so felt it was ok to take our little trip away. We couldn't take Buffy with us and she'd got a reservation in a lovely place down the road known as her Grandparents home. They love having her and she loves to be there but as soon as she got the vibes that a trip was afoot she climbed firmly in the driving seat and wouldn't get out!

On our return we found out that our girls had indeed been looked after very well by my friend's son who is to be known as HYM as he is a very handsome young man. There was one blip when he very kindly took her down to his garden for a little chomp on their grass. I often take her there myself and barricade the fence with chairs so she can't get out. Well, HYM did exactly that, then when he wasn't looking she bolted! Yes, she wanted to come home so she pushed her way through the offending obstacles and left their premises. Thankfully we only live a few doors away and as she was trotting happily home another neighbour managed to get hold of her and brought her back to our front garden where she tied her up.

So, a big thank you to all concerned (and you know who you are). Without Godparents, Grandparents, Rangers, Neighbours and HYM it would be a very different matter if we wanted to have a little break.

Every Girl Should Have One

2011-09-18T19:04:00.001+01:00

Last night Buffy had some friends for yet another sleepover. We had Fudge who regularly stays, then another two new friends. They are Molly and Gracie, the most adorable King Charles Cavs I have ever seen. Gracie is a rescue dog and she had been kept outside and was very underweight and covered in mud when she was found. She's such a delicate and loving little creature, how could anyone do that? Molly, has a shiny black coat and just wants to roll over and be tickled. The two of them were perfect house guests.

Thankfully The Kiwi was away for the night because the homestead was full to overflowing. There were 4 dogs, 6 chooks, a lamb (now the size of a chocolate lab), my VBF, her friend and me. VBF's friend has just sent me a text asking why there has been no mention of him, his cooking or his marvelous gay presence. He shall therefore be known as His Royal Gayness.

VBF has gone through a little bit of a bad patch recently and while I have obviously been there for her she is also lucky enough to have the very dear friendship of His Royal Gayness. We decided last night that every girl should have one. He is a wonderful cook, has a whitty turn of phrase, is pleasing on the eye and I'm sure he will want me to mention that for a man he is very flexible too.

This morning we all sat together (two girls, one gayness and four furry friends) on my bed eating millionaires shortbread with freshly brewed coffee and we put the world to rights.

Thank you VBF and His Royal Gayness for your company, your laughter, your caring and above all your friendship. Every girl most certainly should have one!

Moulting Time

2011-09-12T17:05:00.001+01:00

The place is a mess! After Feathers Lodge was so beautifully decorated a couple of months moulting season is upon us and feathers are all over the place. Doris is looking scruffier than ever but anyone worried about her please believe me she is ab fab. She even had a go at Polly this morning when there was a scuffle over breakfast.

Penny and Hetty have lost their tail feathers and it looks so strange because normally they are the strong beautiful ones but like Doris they're looking a bit scraggy at the moment. When their moult starts they stop laying eggs but it soon starts again.

They're Welsummers and the lay the most delicious dark brown eggs with golden yolks.

The ex batt girls however are showing no signs of loosing feathers and are still laying nice and regularly.

Helen even had a go on the trampoline the other day! She'd seen Buffy on there and was flapping about wanting to see what was going on up there so I lifted her on. She had a little trot around on it then decided it was much more exciting at ground level.

Buffy on the other hand was perfectly happy to spend the aftternoon up there away from all the other girls. She likes a bit of alone time.

Dish of the day

2011-09-08T19:23:00.001+01:00

A very good friend called round today to see the girls and check on their progress. She shall be known as "The Dish". This name is twofold as she is firstly the most amazing cook, and secondly she's a little bit gorgeous. She is also my Guru in many ways, and I in turn try to be a good little protege.

Last time The Dish saw the girls Doris was at her best and Helen and Joan were at their worst. Now Doris is poorly and going through her annual moult so she isn't looking great. The little ones however were a bit of a shock to see in all their glory. The Dish was amazed at the difference in them and put their wonderful recovery down to the love that has been lavished on them. In no time at all Helen settled down in The Dish's arms and went straight off to sleep.

I don't know who got more satisfaction from this cuddle, Helen was clearly in her element but The Dish enjoyed every moment of it. When an ex battery girl puts her trust in you it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Polly Woz Ere

2011-09-06T19:55:00.002+01:00

Our garden used to be very green. Actually, it was a bit overgrown and once a year we would do a big chop and trim everything. This year though we've hardly had to do any work as Polly has been solely responsible for all trimming. The thing is though, we did like having some greenery around and she has systematically gone round eating anything she has taken a fancy to.

This was a beautiful plant that only just made it throuh our hard winter of 2010. Half of it just died with the cold weather but with a lot of TLC we brought it round.

We were so pleased when Polly decided to leave this one alone as she worked her way around the rest of the garden. Obviously she saved the best til last. She set to work early one morning and after a long hard session she managed to destroy it and then had a well deserved rest!

These two photos are taken at the back of our garden. It was covered and I mean TOTALLY covered in ivy. You couldn't see anything behind it. One day The Kiwi suggested I gave it a bit of a trim "I'm sure we've got a sandstone wall behind there somewhere" he said. I started on it and then Polly thought she'd help me. It was much harder work for her than the one above but she dutifully did her best and within a few days this was what we were left with.

I've known for some time that rhodedendrons are toxic to sheep so I trimmed it and hoped she couldn't reach it. Then seeing her climb up on her hind legs to get at things I decided it was time to take it down. I was worried that as I was chopping it Polly would be trying to eat it so I put her on her lead in the front garden. She loves it out there and she's on a long rope so she can move around plenty. I was literally minutes in the back chopping down the offending bush. Then as I dragged it round to the front to put in our brown bin Polly came charging at me. She'd bitten right through her lead, had wandered into next doors garden and then decided to come home again!

This is one very determined lady with a mind of her own. She's strong too - gentle as ever when she wants to be but my goodness she's powerful. I sure feel safe with her and Buffy around - Beware of the Menagerie!

There's a Moggy after Our Girls

2011-09-04T12:41:00.003+01:00

Yes, there's a cat been snooping around. They've done a lot of standing to attention over the last couple of days and yesterday I saw why. I wasn't quick enough with my camera to get it but it's a moggy that has been bothering them. She's beautiful actually, very pretty face, white tummy and striped back and head. Just because she's beautiful doesn't mean that she can come to our garden and prey on my girls though.

Polly saw her a few days ago and it was quite funny seeing her reaction. Both Moggy and Polly just stared eachother out. It went on for ages, a real pistols at dawn sort of looks. Polly made the first move towards Moggy and Moggy shot over the fence.

Then yesterday I had to chase Moggy off twice. In the end the girls all came into the kitchen and settled by the door for their afternoon nap while Penny stood guard on the dance floor (yes, it's still no closer to becoming a conservatory). After a while Penny came to join the rest of them and perched on the foot of the door.

I'm not bothered about four of the girls but Joan and Helen really aren't much bigger than a pigeon so if a bird was hungry enough they could be in danger. Suffice it to say I've been with them all the time they've been in the garden and if I've had to go upstairs I've made sure Buffy is with them. She's out there now barking so I'd better see what's going on - Oh the joys of motherhood!

Birds of a Feather .......

2011-09-01T08:35:00.003+01:00

I look back at each time I've introduced new chooks to the brood and remember how hard it can be. It was OK when Doris came along because I hadn't had Penny & Hetty for very long and they were only young so they accepted her quite easily.

With Mary and Tess it was harder because the pecking order had already been established. Penny was firmly in charge of Hetty and then Doris just kind of did her own thing. If you read the notes on Mary & Tess you'll see that I did everything possible to make their first night the success it was but it wasn't easy. Oh how it rained and how I worried. They were so out of touch with their natural instincts that the next day Tess laid an egg while she was walking along. She had no idea she was supposed to snuggle down and find the right spot. It just popped out and she hardly noticed. It was heartbreaking to see.

Then of course it was time for the little ones - Helen and Joan. Here they are in deepest winter with their sweatshirts on. Joan is in the main picture and there's Helen's bottom on the right - red raw. It's now full of feathers and she loves to show them of. Again, you can read up on their arrival on their page but it was a very long drawn out process getting them integrated with the others because they slept inside for a few months as the weather was so bitterly cold (remember the winter of 2010). Mary was the worst one. She would litterally jump on them and peck feathers out of their heads. Sometimes I even had to pull her off.

When it was warm enough for them to sleep outside I would leave them in the run hoping they'd go into the bedroom but as dark fell I'd creep outside to check on them and they'd be standing at the gate waiting to come in. I'd take them into the bedroom, put them on the perch and settle them down then make my own way out. By the time I reached the gate there they were behind me. "We don't like it here mum - they bully us".

Eventually they realised that was where they slept but Helen steadfastly refused to go with the others. She settled down in the Play House (see article on Feathers Lodge, 6 August). Once she was asleep I'd carry her into the bedroom with the other girls and eventually she got the hang of it.

Now they work as a team. There was a shot the other week of them all resting in the sun while Penny stood guard. She's the biggest one and still leader of the pack.

After all the traumas just look at them now, a real team. When there's a strange noise they all stand bolt upright and check out what's going on. Then they have their afternoon nap and preen together.

A Rhino's Welcome

2011-08-30T21:04:00.003+01:00

First off big apologies for being lax in my posts lately, just been a bit busy with The Kiwi doing housy things.

Don't worry about the title of this blog. I am NOT adopting a Rhino!

Our local pub has a small group of men that sit in a particular corner. These lads like to dish it out. They regularly offend people but if anyone tries to get the better of them it just doesn't work. Their thick skin doesn't let anything past and so it has been aptly named Rhino Corner

While The Kiwi is very good friends with this select group he has never been invited to join their clan. He's a bit of a mixture is my Kiwi man. You can usually hear him before you see him and believe me he's done his fair share of offending people himself over the years. He'd never make Rhino corner though because the bottom line is he's a really sensitive chap and is always first to apologise if he's upset anyone.

As Big Kiwi has been over for his annual visit the Rhinos very kindly asked if he would like to be an honorary member and he gladly accepted and was duly presented with his Tshirt.

I think they were hoping it may send The Kiwi over the edge but he was proud that his dad had made the cut. Then came the real blow though.

After a formal meeting at a 60th birthday bash last week I was waved over to join them. They feel that although on the surface I'm a complete softie, I'm also bit of a tough cookie as I have to keep The Kiwi under control. It's a hard job but someone has to do it! And so came my invitation to join Rhino Corner.

A few days later I was presented with my very own Tshirt and I have worn it with pride. Guess what - it actually works. Nobody was able to offend me while it was on - it's as thought I had grown a second skin and it felt good!

While The Kiwi played along at being put out he whispered in my ear "I have never been so proud of you".

Hope this doesn't mean I have to watch all the Rugby with them.

Afternoon Nap

2011-08-18T14:35:00.002+01:00

It's obviously been a hard morning and everyone is exhausted. The Kiwi has been on a little trip away and I went to meet him last night so the girls were home alone. They were all fed, watered and safely locked in but I still worried about them. They're used to me always being there and checking on them before I go to bed but there really is no need - they are perfectly fine on their own!

As we had a bit of a late one last night The Kiwi had his afternoon nap when we got home. Now I really don't want you to know what he looks like but as the girls are all pictured at rest in this blog I think he should be too.

When we got home Polly was up at the other end of the garden happily munching away. I shouted to her and it was so lovely, she lifted her head up, couldn't decide whether to carry on eating or not and then with my "Hey Poll" call she ran towards me, tail wagging and ears flapping! Once she'd checked us out and had a wander around inside she settled herself at the foot of the stairs for her "rest time".

If you look closely you'll see 5 of the chooks having their mid afternoon dust bath / nap. Penny was standing on guard while these girls settled down in the soft soil underneath a tree. They make little indentations and snuggle down then flip soil on top of themselves before they nod off. The soil acts as a lubricant and keeps their skin and feathers well oiled.

And last but by no means least is the Buff with her mate Fudge. Both clearly exhausted and oblivious to the rest of the world!

A Couple Of Notes

2011-08-16T10:00:00.002+01:00

It's been quite quiet on the Home Brood Front but I have gathered a few noteworthy points together.

Polly is now trained in manners of the 8am watershed. There is the occasional bleat beforehand but no major shouting til about 8.30am and even then if I leave her she gives up after a very short time. She's loving her daily grooming sessions. I use a wire brush I bought for Buffy but she refused to tolerate it so one day I had a go with Poll. Oh she just adhores it. Anywhere. She loves it on her back and hind quaters then when you go to her tummy her tail swings round in a frenzy of excitement. Then its up onto her neck, head, behind her ears and finally underneath her chin. That's my favourite bit. I hold her chin in my hand and lean over to get right underneath her jaw. Her warm breath touches my ear and she goes off into a trance. It's just lovely.

I was down at Tam O'Shanter last week and noticed how deep the voice of her mum is and this morning I heard two much deeper bleats than usual. Then it was back into her usual high pitched yell.

As for the chooks, Doris is hanging on in there, she's still looking a bit scruffy but is happy in herself. Local children have been coming round and because Helen is the tamest one she's been pulled from pillar to post in the holding stakes. She's great though and laps up all the attention she's getting. Joan doesn't leave my side so I have to shut her out sometimes just so I can clean the floor etc. I think she's lazy and if she can get food from me she can't be bothered going out and forraging for it.

There was a bit of a Rice Crispy drama this morning. They were all around me while I was getting my own breakfast so I put out two bowls of Rice Crispys with yoghurt on top. OMG, you have never seen the like! Demolished within minutes, there wasn't time to get my camera even. True pecking order was seen as Helen and Joan were firmly pushed out. They then got the left overs and when Buffy moved in to lick it all out the two of them had a go at The Buff!

Yesterday was my birthday and I had a steady stream of people dropping off cards and presents - a very big thank you for such thoughtful gifts. A hen pinny, sheep polly bag holder, necklace, earings, dress, jumper, flowers and a fantastic book all about having the good life in France. I felt truly spoilt. Oh then there's a very special thank you to Buffy's Godmum. Imagine this if you can - Gold Lame Leggins! She did also give me a gorgeous Tshirt and birthday cake but the vert special gift of GOLD LAME LEGGINS is to be worn at my Young at Heart group on Friday - it may well see them all off!
Yes, life on the Home Brood Front is very happy indeed.

Bit of a Splash

2011-08-11T19:40:00.002+01:00

Buffy loves water. It must be said that she doesn't do the swimming thing but she loves to wade. If there's water - she's in it, if there's mud - she's in it.

Quite a combination therefore when you get water and next doors fish pond all in one go.

I'm on feeding duty for fish and tomatoes for a couple of days and while I may well kill the tomatoes I really did think I'd do ok with the fish. That is until today. Buffy is facinated with them and frequently jumps up onto the edge to stare down at them. I'm always with her though and know that she's only being nosey - she wouldn't actually jump in would she? Yeah right!

There she was walking round the edge as usual, stopping every so often for a closer look. She even dipped her paw in the water which is a first but I wasn't worried - like I said, she's not a swimmer, just a wader.

First it was just a toe, then her nose then ..........................

SPLASH! She was in. She just couldn't help herself could she? She is actually a very good swimmer it's just that she chooses not to. She successfully made it to the other side then got all a fluster as she struggled to get out. I heaved the grateful mutt up and while she didn't try and get back in with them I bet she has another go tomorrow. Yet another note to self "NEVER leave Buffy alone with fishys!

And The Winner Is .......

2011-08-10T13:07:00.001+01:00

A message to my reader who has been to Tam O'Shanter for the first time having read this blog. I'm so pleased you enjoyed yourself. I go there for a couple of hours a week to help out in the office and I must say it really is a wonderful place. For anyone who hasn't been, it isn't just for kids, if you're an animal lover it's a great way to get up close and personal with them. Nice little coffee shop there too!

A total of 27 of you have read "Big Kiwi's a Gem" and not one of you has come up with an idea. So, having coffee this morning with two very good friends we had a team meeting. One of them (and you know who you are) had her pen and paper at the ready and was totally monopolising the "ideas" conversation. My other friend sat quietly in thinking mode. When we asked for her suggestions she just said "will you two just be quiet for a moment and let me think".

We duly did as she suggested and a moment was all it took.

FOWL PLAY

Yes, we were thinking fruit machine, chicken skewer, rolling fruits, on and on it went but without doubt this is what it should be called. It is after all a toy for my chickens to play with. The fact that it feeds them is a bonus.

I've already had two orders for it!

On the Polly front, I had my first full night sleep last night for the first time since we got her. There was a quick fox watch from the Buff at 4am but not a sound from Polly til 0817 hrs. Hopefully we've broken the back of it.

Big thanks to my wonderful neighbours who have been very understanding and supportive about her morning noises. Looks like Polly's here to stay and I for one am ever so pleased. She is an absolute darling and a wonderful addition to our family.

Big Kiwi's a Gem

2011-08-08T17:26:00.004+01:00

Yes, every home should have one. A Big Kiwi that is. A few days ago I asked my father in law (Big Kiwi) to make me something for the chooks. If I give them apples, or other fruits they eat some of it then it ends up on the floor going rotten so I thought of putting them on skewers (the fruits not the chooks).

Big Kiwi surpassed himself and produced the item exactly to my specifications. There are two levels of metal skewers at just the right height for them to munch from and a good base so it doesn't tip over with their eagerness to chomp away.

I duly painted it a lovely shade of dark green to match the rest of Feathers Lodge decor and as you will see here it's a big hit with the girls. Typically Doris was first to have a go and then they all got stuck in.

Now I need a name for it - please help me out with some suggestions. Then I'm thinking about selling a couple on ebay. Honestly, they're great fun for the girls and it keeps it all off the floor. Next stop Gordale!

Fave Spot

2011-08-07T21:34:00.001+01:00

We all have a favourite place don't we. Well my girls are no exception, and here are a few shots of them at their happiest.

Buffy has many favourite places - my Dad's knee, on guard duty, the fourth stair up, in a sunny spot - the list goes on. She's always happy though if she's asleep. In fact I often come home to find her and The Kiwi having an afternoon nap spooning eachother. Here's one of her at her most relaxed!

Penny and Hetty are sisters and they love to sit in the sun together. The first time I saw them doing it I thought one of them had died! Chooks settle down on one side and stretch their other wing and leg out to get the best of the rays.

And on to the lovely and very dotty Doris. Basically she's happiest if she's nesting or if she's eating. I'm a bit worried about her as her breathing is starting to get bad again and she's looking frail and mucky. Her feathers on her crop are coming out and her head looks like she's shoved her face in a pile of dirt. This was taken yesterday though and as you can see she's not holding back on the grub. As long as she's hungry the vet said she's OK!

Mary is seen here perching on their trough under their sun terrace. It had only just been put back in place after decorating and she was straight on there. She loves to sit on it first thing in the morning before I open the doors to Feathers Lodge. She's got a great view of the garden from here.

Helen just loves to be in my arms having a cuddle. She'd stay there all day if she could, the tamest of them all. I've mentioned before that when we got her she wasn't expected to last the week out but she hung on in there and look at her now.

Isn't this just the best shot of Joan ever! She looks like a little cartoon chook. Her fave place is anywhere I am. Not because she wants to be picked up or given any attention but if she's near me she gets little scraps of food every so often. She's the bottom of the heap so is always last in line at feeding time. It is soooo funny watching her eat with the others, she grabs something, runs off with it and then darts back, grabs another bit and does a runner again.

Here's Polly behind her tree. It was a small one I chopped down a couple of months ago and just threw in the corner and before I knew it she'd made it her best place to rest. She can rub her neck and head on the branches to have a good scratch and her hay is just behind her so there's food readily available. The chooks often gather round here too so she's always got company. She's rather taken a fancy to having a daily groom and as you can see here she's got beautiful fluffy wool!

And this one's for me. One of my favourite views in the world. When I go here I sit and have tea and toast early in the morning and have strictly me time. I generally have a book with me but never get to read it because I'm too taken with the view. How fab is that!