Fruitful Birds

We have now had enough eggs for our own use for a week and given 8 away today! Hurray. We are now a source of protein for friends and folk at church. It is hugely satisfying to give eggs away and know that they are produced by happy little hens. There is so little of what we eat and consume that we have any real connection with.

So time to get the seeds out and plant the veggie patch - which is being well fertilised by other products of our hens - less fun than the eggs!

Lent is moving on apace and I may be ready for Holy Week by Pentecost. I've just remembered I need to write 3 Pause For Thoughts by the end of tomorrow - so any inspiration would be gratefully received! Hopefully I can use one for the Church magazine editors' who are both chasing me for my next moving pearl of wisdom. Do people read these things? Why? I never did - straight to dates for your diary for me when I get church newsletters, and lots of avoiding twee, humourless stories and ridiculously easy crosswords.

Hello Girls

The long awaited day has arrived and our 6 young hens have been delivered. Three are 'Miss Pepperpots' - mostly black with some lovely ginger details, and three are 'Gingernut Rangers' - you can guess what colour they are! 

They should begin laying within a couple of weeks, so if you need eggs we'll have a few to spare (especially to anyone willing to help feed them if we are away!). We wanted to get them in time to lay for Easter - it seems kind of appropriate. The home they live in is provided by a company called 'Omlet' and is really well designed. Fox proof, easily cleaned, lots of space... The very nice man, Darren, who delivered them put the Omlet Cube together and showed us how to handle them and clip their wings. He had just been to Richmond to deliver to Jerry Hall, this confirms me in my view that we are turning unto urban yuppies - but hey, what's sauce for the goose... (not sure that's an appropriate metaphor!).

So it's 'chucks away' at our house, where Tamsin is eggstatic, Rob is eggcited, Sandy is eggcellent and I am prone to very bad puns!

In the photos you will see Audrey (Hepburn), CJ (as in West Wing), Maya (Angelou), Rosa (Parks), Dibley (indeed), Ellen (McArthur). Say hi to these inspiring women (ok I know they are chickens really).