Under the Weather........

My little hens are under the weather and so am I.  Firstly, the hens are going through their yearly moult, they have shed lots more feathers than previous years and have been off their food.  Consequentely, they have lost weight and look so scrawny.  We have been giving them lots of tasty treats, and they are slowly showing signs of perking up.

I have also been under the weather; about 3 weeks ago I suddenly started feeling really dizzy, and  after a visit to the Doctor and Hospital I have been diagnosed with Labrynthitis.  It is an inner ear disorder which affects balance and vision. It is a really horrible condition and very debilitating.  It is like having severe car or sea sickness all the time. Recovery is slow, I hope and pray I get back to normal soon. I'll be back when I'm feeling better.
 

Sad News........

Sadly my youngest Hen passed away at the weekend........ 

                                                         Blackie 2/5/2008 - 20/9/2010

I don't know why, and I feel so upset I was not here.  I have had a couple of days away and was going to post about my trip but that will have to wait until another time. 

When the Chickens are Naughty......

We have been installing some" Chicken Proof" edging around the lawns in order to prevent them scratching and covering the lawn in all sorts, this may not prevent it but it's worth a try.

I bought this Bamboo edging at Wilko and I rather like it, I think I may have to go and get some more.

This is Lucinda,remember last year she was surrogate mother to six babies, well she is broody again. It started about 4 days ago, she just wants to stay in the nest and gathers the eggs that the other two have laid. I am fighting a loosing battle as every time I pick her up and put her outside she just tries to get back in. I had to close the door of the coop today to stop her going back in. Luckily the other two had already laid. I think I shall just have to persevere!!!!!!

Charlies Angels........

Once upon a time there were 3 little happy laying hens, then one day one of them stopped laying......... why I don't know. The one in question is Jill the bossy one, (middle photo) the one that lays the blue egg. It has been nearly 2 weeks since her last egg. She seems happy, not showing any signs of being distressed. Her comb is really red, and she is not moulting. I will now have to look at her diet . She is also just into her 3rd year of laying, perhaps she is finished laying altogether.........

Here come the Girls........

It is that time of year again, when everything comes alive. The girls are all back laying regularly. I collected these three today. Eggs for breakfast, lunch and tea...

Up date on our Chickens......

We are having a very cold winter, and one of my worries has been for our chickens. I have been fearful that they would come down with bronchitis, apparently quite common and would not survive. I am also concerned for Jill as she has "scaly red mite" on her feet and it is getting worse. I have bought this book and done some research on the Internet and it suggests the best cure is to plaster Vaseline all over their feet, which suffocates the mites. Today we started the treatment and will have to re-apply once a week for about 3 weeks.

Mother and Babies......

An update on the new arrivals....

They have had a good weekend, mother is looking after them very well. They now have names - we have e stripy, little stripy, spot, spice and the twins (can't tell them apart at the moment). Stripy is the adventurous one and quite independent, the twins stick together like real twins, quite bizarre. We have fallen in love , lots of visitors have been cooing over them. Jill has also taken to them very well, not venturing far from their side.

Here she is checking on them like mother hen.....

We are proud parents........

It is a happy day, our chickens have arrived. We have six, 3 yellow, 2 black and white and 1 brown and cream. DS3 is over the moon and mum is looking proud of herself too.

There will be more photos over the next couple of days and a progress report .