Just in case I needed reminding of the fact that we appear to have "Fox Patrol" in our garden regularly, I was greeted with "View of the Poo" at 06:45 as it was *my* turn to let the girls out this morning. I can think of better sights on an empty stomach but at least had the satisfaction of knowing that he/she left without causing any disturbance last night. The times I have listened in bed (with banging heart)to the "screams" of foxes in the field behind, praying that they will stay away from our girls. The memories of that awful night a few years ago are still with me and cause my risk assessments to be totally off the scale...
All the chickens are now wide awake each morning and in the case of Dolly, Xena and Connie, hurl themselves down the drawbridge as soon as it is lowered. Gert, being Gert, takes her time. If ever there was a lazy chicken, our Blue Orpington ticks all the boxes! Hattie is always straight out with her head in her food by the time I have checked in her nest box for the first egg of the day. Hattie lays hers early and you have to be quick these days otherwise she will destroy it! This morning I reached in to discover a softshelled egg...again not a pleasant feel, I left it there to deal with it after breakfast....she has probably eaten it now :( . Hattie still lays most days despite by quite ancient by exbattery hen standards. We have had her 16 months and she was probably that sort of age when we adopted her. She makes contented little Happy Hattie noises when we give her grass or corn. We will all be so sad when she dies...I think Ramzi will need counselling!
The new exbatts are still in the greenhouse with a couple of panes removed at the apex. They are thriving well and feathered up nicely. There are intrigued by our presence and peck at whatever part of our anatomy that is within reach! Four of them insist on sleeping on top of their house, the remaining two sleep inside...strange creatures. They are now extremely interested in any person seen digging the raised beds in front of the greenhouse. D has a fascinated audience each time, all six pushing and shoving for the best vantage spot!
Anyway, here is a short video, if I can do it (!) (I have issues with my layout at the moment, so if anyone can help me with the photo, text alignment problem with the egg posting I would be SO grateful. I stayed up to nearly midnight trying to get this right last night....and failed....and for those of you that know me...10:30 is late for me!!!)
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