Chickens
Our chickens are rescued ex battery hens. They are looking much better than they did when we first got them.
The bossy one is called Vera. She had no feathers around her neck and chest when we first got her and she looked like a vulture, so she became 'Vera the Vulture'! She became 'page three girl' for a while when her neck feathers grew back but she still had a bare chest. All her feathers are now grown and if it wasn't for her large comb we would find it difficult to tell her apart now.
One had a full set of feathers and looked very proud so we called her Queeny. Then there is one a lovely light golden colour so she had to be Goldie. One always would run away and be last in the line for food, definitely bottom of the 'pecking order' , she is called Chicken Chicken. Then there is an ordinary one with a browner head than the rest of her and she is Browny. Not very original we know.
We feed the chickens in the morning and guests are welcome to help.
Eggs are collected in the afternoon when we give them another feed. If you would like to help let us know and we can arrange a time. They do not lay very many now they are getting old so don't be too disappointed if some days there are none.
We occasionally have enough eggs for guests but it all depends how the girls feel and whether they are up to it!
The ex-battery chickens became 'free-rangers' and went on to live full and happy lives on the farm and provided us and our guests with many deliciouus eggs. All but one have passed away, the only one still with us being Queenie.
We have since re-stocked with a new group and also now have a cockerel...Augustus, a Welsummer, who proudly guards his girls and keeps them in check....all apart from Queenie who has never been used to the attentions of a cockerel! She now has a little house in the stable and seems happy with her own company, spending each day clucking around the farmyard. Occasionally she wanders in through the back door if she is in need of cpmpany or will tap on the glass door for a biscuit at coffee-time. She no longer lays but we feel she deserves a long and happy retirement!
