Chickens!

We have just got in  from a rather exhausting evening, chasing chickens around the garden to get them back into their enclosure! We thought they'd return of their own accord when it got dusk, but they seem to have enjoyed their freedom too much! In the end, it was the old corn trick: shake a bag of corn, the chooks follow it, throw a handful into the run and bingo!

So here they are. Meet, from top to bottom: Hattie, Hilda and Hen-rietta (Henny). They are all hybrids, and named after a local place: Blencathra Black, Skiddaw Speckledy and Bewcastle Blue.

We had our first egg this morning, but we don't know which of these laid it. It was small, soft and squidgy which is normal for the first eggs. Not edible, but at least we're under way now with egg production. We're told that each hen could lay around 250 eggs per year, once they get going. So if you live near us or come to visit, you could be getting some fresh eggs every so often.

This is a steep learning curve. We've already had to extend the run as we could see the three hens were a bit too crowded. We have to be up early every morning to let them out of their house; and they have to be safely shut up at night when they go to roost. Then there is the feeding and drinking aspect which needs some care, plus routine maintenance of their environment. They all seem to be healthy, but any problems and we'll be going back to the various reference books we've been given!

This is something I've wanted to do for some years, though I didn't realise how challenging it would be. I think it's about working with the rhythm of nature which I quite enjoy. It also gives me a common interest with local people, and makes me a 'disciple' - a learner, being so aware of my own ignorance. All in all a very positive experience.