This week at Cloghermore

Hope you've all had a good Easter weekend.
Even though it's been bitterly cold and has snowed on and off we have been able to get a lot achieved this week. Diz hasn't been working in the forest, which means some of the important jobs that have been put off can now be tackled. The much needed fence to stop the chickens wandering into next doors field and to stop unwanted visitors popping in for a quick snack was finally erected.

Diz cleared all the undergrowth and hedging that was in the way and had to dig half the bank away in one spot to accommodate the fence. Posts were put in and the wire started to go on. I reminded Diz that the chickens needed to be on the right side of the fence instead of spread across the field! So I encouraged them back with the promise of grain and counted them to check they were all present and correct. Quick cup of tea and the rest of the wire went up, but.... yes there is always one, she had wandered back over to the field. So she had to be lifted back over the fence.

Now this side is up, there also needs to be one along the road side at the front, another favourite escape spot. That's a job for the next day.
When it was time for the evening feed, I called the hens and guess what, yes, four were on the other side of the fence! Couldn't believe it. Not sure how, but I suspect they went over the front and down the side. They didn't do it again though as they panicked they couldn't get back for food!
The front fence was put up and so far no chickens have escaped.

We have finally had a bird go broody this week, a regular, Tuft. She has been a fantastic mother in the past so a pleasing choice. Tuft has been put into a box nest in the shed, dark and quiet. She was initially given 8 golf balls to sit on to ensure she was ready for a brood and was then given two eggs from the incubator that are fertile. We have not been very successful so far with fertile eggs, the weather is causing havoc with our birds. If the next batch has more fertile eggs we will swap her two for a larger number, as mother reared chicks are far easier than artificially reared. We would normally be on our second batch of chicks by now, a very slow year.
Tuft settles into the routine of lifting her off the eggs in the morning and then covering the eggs to keep them warm while she feeds, defecates, drinks and has a dust bath. When she is ready she clucks back to the shed and flies up onto the table to settle back on her nest. We lift the cover and she settles straight back down. Easy.

While Diz was sorting out the fence, I took the opportunity to rebuild the bonfire that has been waiting since last year for some dry weather. By the time I had finished it was more like a very large habitat pile. Just needed to ensure there was no chickens in the middle of it when the match was put to it. The following morning while the ash was still hot the chickens took advantage of 'dust' and were soon spreading it around and enjoying a good dust bath. There was the occasional flutter and quick movement as they found a hot bit, but otherwise they didn't care. Don't blame them it was freezing out!

You may have noticed we are still without pigs so far this year, well finally some good news, they are on their way. They were born a week ago, so will be joining us in another 5-6 weeks once they have weaned. I am very excited.

Yesterday, we had a cheeky, unwelcome visitor. Mr Fox is sniffing around. We lost a Rhode Island Red (RIR) hen a week ago and had no idea where it had gone or how. Then while I sat looking out the patio window, there he was running along the fence in the field and stopped off at the Indian Game pen. It was seconds before the dogs and us were out the door and hot footing after him. He was long gone with the chaos that followed. Kip screeching with excitement but not knowing why until she eventually picked up the scent. She couldn't chase after the fox as Jes was hanging off her even more excited because everyone else was. Diz and Kip set off across the field to pick up the scent while I dragged Jes back, but nothing. Then half hour later he was back, the alarm call went up from the chickens as he tried to come in from the side, but the new fence stopped him, phew. Kip and Diz out again but he was long gone. Then an hour later another alarm and this time the cheeky thing was sat in the front garden watching. Kip was with me and off we went but again nothing. Diz went to fetch the rifle and now we are on fox watch, but it hasn't been back... yet. He will be just a matter of when. Keep you posted.

Well that's it for this week, I think. Next week we are on gosling watch as Spotless is due to hatch. We have left them to it this time and are waiting with anticipation. It's Bruisers first year and we don't know if he is fertile. We don't know if this weather is going to effect their eggs either, so we are nervous. We just want at least one for our Christmas dinner. We'll let you know.

Take care all
Stella xx