I’ve spent the long weekend at home with Scarlett, catching up on stuff and playing in the garden between downpours.
One short note for the diary is that we’ve got some new additions to the BWM household. Four of them, in fact. Four new chickens to replace Mabel and Henrietta who were taken by a fox last year.
They’re Magpie hens. I don’t know much about the breed (I let Scarlett choose them) except that they’re a Sussex hybrid, suitable for our free-range run, and they lay 240 or so brown eggs a year. With Clarissa still laying that works out at about 20 eggs a week. Good job friends and family like eggs!
Incidentally, we’ve had no other fox trouble lately. A few days after us and the neighbours lost our chickens, a fox was killed on the road nearby. Maybe coincidence, but we’ve not been bothered since.
All I need to do now is find names for our new girls…
Tales from the Wood - The Diary of a Badger Watching Man 
My daughter was just telling me this morning that she wants to raise some chicks. They are hatching some in school. I think chickens are beautiful! (that sounds kind of silly) and have always wanted to have some here. 🙂
Hi Ariadnesdaughter
I have to agree with you. Our new chickens are particularly handsome. If you see them close up, there is a lovely green sheen to their dark feathers.
I find them fascinating birds. They have have personality and character. When I’m working in the vegetable garden I often just sit and watch them as they scratch and peck and go about their chickeny business. I think everyone should keep chickens if they have the space – they’re not much trouble and the eggs are worth it.
All the best
BWM