Trials and tribulations of keeping chickens

I have committed mistake no 1. Ok, I hear you say, mistakes where bound to happen. This is the first time I've had chickens to look after. So how bad can it really be you ask?

I almost starved my hens to death!

Tragedy averted now I hope. Its been really wet here for over a week but I have diligently gone down to the bottom of the garden twice a day and fed and watered my three hens.

As instructed when I bought them, I have been giving them layer mash and scratch mix. They didn't seem to like layer mash. I gave them fresh stuff but they didn't eat much. I gave them scratch mix - I tossed it down on the straw in the bottom of their coop and they scratched away merrily.

All good so far.

Today, one week after I brought them home, I cleaned out their straw and replaced it.

That
is
when
I
realised....

We raised the coop off the ground a little so the timber wouldn't rot.  There is heavy mesh on the bottom to fox proof it.

But, the feed had fallen/been pushed through the straw, through the mesh and underneath.

Too
low
for
them
to
reach
and
eat!

So today I have changed the system. I have put a plastic box lid under the feed tray to catch any stray food. Temporary measure, I'll do something better when I find something that fits well in the coop. I have mixed warm water and milk powder into their mash and they have eaten it all up. And I have given them some spinach leaves from the garden.

Phew!

What a fright that gave me. So I will be more careful now.

Poor little girls, this is supposed to be a chicken holiday club not a boot camp.

Now I vow to make it the ritz!!

Breakfast

Our new hens are averaging one egg per day so far. So sweet, I love having chickens.

Visit to the gallery during a wet lunch time

It has been a wet day today. At lunchtime I went to Milk Thieves, the store that stocks some of my DarlingBridget bags and journals. Then off to the craft store for some paint.

I finished off my break with a look around Wollongong Gallery. Here are a few pieces I particularly liked.

 

 

On my way to back to work I had to stop and take a picture of a crushed plane tree nut.

Isn't that amazing?

Bird nests

I have a growing collection of birds nests. 

 I found this beauty lying on the ground when the power company trimmed trees growing under their lines.

 It is a very warm nest with a feather lining and half an egg shell.

 The simplest of my bird nests with some moss and paper streamers to add a touch of class.

 This was also found on the ground under some trees. I was collecting pine cones when I spottted it.

 The most luxurious nest made almost completely from feathers.  I found this on the ground in front of a building so have always wondered where it fell from.  This is the first nest I found.

 This nest is made from tiny twigs with lichen and lined with hair. It is the most tightly wound.

 And this darling little nest I found just recently when weeding my front garden. It probably came down when the tree dropped its leaves. I never knew it was hidden there.

2012 is going to be a wonderful year

It is getting late in January and I haven't completed my list of goals.
I am supressing panic. Its fine I'm just warming up.
I thought this was going to be easy when I was holidays from work but I have a new theory.
Real time, real life feels suspended sometimes when you take time out.

I mean let's face it that's what we want when we take time out.
Get off the clock. Let go of the daily grind.
So it's only now that I am returned to work and routine that I feel ready to face the new year.
Ironic isn't it?
'cos now I have less time, less thinking space.
Ah well, it will happen. In fact, it is starting.
All sorts of creative ideas are bubbling, I just need to give them space and a little time to perculate.

• I am going to go with some image changes on my blog.
• I am going to promote my blog more by getting word out that we have a conversation happening here and a journey to pursue.
• I am nearing 100 posts so another give away is in order.
• I am going to offer more tutorials.
• I love lists but am moving 10 things to another day so I can participate in a 'live life greener' segment on a blog I love.
• I am going to put my DarlingBridget bags and ournals into more shops, more online opportunities.
• And I am going to launch my art to wear as a separate line - perhaps DB art to wear but you can have a say on the label.

Hmm and I'm going to conquer the work/life balance!

Wow and I am only just getting started. Hope you keep on the journey with me.

Love having you to along! Happy 2012. Please share your goals, I'd love to hear.

Eggs from my new hens

We have received the gift of three perfect, tiny lttle eggs from our new hens. Tonight we ate the eggs poached with salad, marinated mushrooms and pasties I made last week.

I'm looking forward to next weekend when I will be home long enough to let our hens out for a little stretch and to get to know them a little better.

It is very fulfilling knowing they are here at last.

My chickens come home to roost

Three new darlings have joined our family. I bought three lovely young hens to live in my beautiful coop.
One red, one white and one motley dark grey, brown.
They are a little shy so far so watch this space for more photos as we get to know each other.

 My dog Harry is fascinated. He's been very good, just sniffing around not barking or giving them too hard a time.

 They are 20 weeks old and just at point of lay and yet we have been rewarded with lovely eggs all ready. We are saving them up for a couple of days until we have enough for an omelette.

I am so very happy. I have wanted chickens for a very long time, we are going to have such a lovely time together.