The diary of two novice gardeners and chicken keepers
Posted in Allotments on May 26th, 2009
Look for the small things in life to bring joy. (Confucius)
We had given up on any ducklings from Jemima and Puddles as most of their eggs have been infertile. However, this morning, to my great surprise one of the eggs had pipped and by this evening we had a beautiful baby duck. I have already bought some [...]
Posted in Allotments on May 15th, 2009
After a day of torrential rain the weather finally cleared up enough for us to pop down to the plots and install the second Cucumber Carmen in the lean to. The first plant is still surviving despite the cold spell we have had. We had a walk round to check on everything and so far [...]
Posted in Allotments on May 12th, 2009
It’s day 20 and the first Pekin chick was waiting for me bright and early this morning. One of the Orpingtons was almost out too. Looks like a busy day.
Posted in Allotments on May 11th, 2009
It is day 19 in the incubation of the last batch of chicks for this season. They are a mix of colours of Orpington Bantams. A new breed for us this year. The lady I bought them from didn’t have quite the dozen eggs so made up the numbers with four pekins, a breed I [...]
Posted in Allotments on Apr 15th, 2009
Final count at the end of the hatch is one buff Plymouth Rock bantam and six white Faverolles bantams. Now we have to wait to see how many are boys.
Posted in Allotments on Apr 12th, 2009
There is just one chick so far. It hatched this lunchtime. It is a little fluffy, yellow Plymouth Rock Bantam.
Rob and I worked hard today both at home and at the allotment. Cath and Gra popped for a visit and did a bit of weeding which is always a help.
Rob sowed some Broad Beans, Bunyards Exhibition and [...]
Posted in Allotments on Mar 24th, 2009
(Pictures courtesy of Benjamin Shepherd)
(Faverolles originate from the village of Faverolles in Northern France and were created from a mix of several different breeds. They have a broad, square body with small wings, a single upright comb, short neck, a striking beard and muffing. The head is broad and round and the eyes are reddish [...]
Posted in Allotments on Mar 17th, 2009
It looks like the other five Plymouth Rock eggs aren’t fertile. However the first blue Silkie bantam chick hatched this morning and it is beautiful.
….and here is the buff plymouth rock chick too.
I have potted on the first seven of the Tomato plants now; thirteen more to go.
Posted in Allotments on Feb 24th, 2009
The incubator is in business again keeping warm six eggs of the Plymouth Rock, three Silkies and three Light Sussex bantams. (Update - 16th March; first buff plymouth rock chick has popped out on day 22. 6/6 hatched from the other batch but in the end they all died but one blue silkie)
Posted in Allotments on Feb 20th, 2009
Hello
(Update – of the five chicks, two had to be culled as they both had seriously splayed legs and just couldn’t cope. Two are cockerels and are going to live in Manchester and one seems to be a pullet so she will stay here. I am quite happy to have one Apenzeller to add to our little [...]
Alan Romans beans birds brassica broody cabbage carrots cauliflower chicks cucumber ducks family flowers food fruit gadgets germination harvest hatch hens leeks lettuce Libbie Lidl Nasturtions onions parsnip peas plum Opal potatoes preserves pumpkin roses runner beans Salad seeds snow strawberry sweetcorn Sweet Pea Tips Tomatoes tunnel verse. Wyandotte
