First chicks of 2015

This hatchling barely remembers the chicks from previous years. He is smitten and vibrates with excitement as he peers into the incubator.

I'm trying a new set up this year, with the Brinsea eco brooder.

I have the chicks and their brooder inside a large 120cm rabbit cage. I'm hoping that will keep them safe from our moggies. 

I know that many others choose to invest in the mini chick drinkers and food dispensers. 

I use jar lids. 

I throw everything away after every batch of chicks. 

I like that disposability, because no one is exempt from potential infections or diseases.

I line the brooder with paper towel which is changed several times a day, so I just let them play about scratching in their crumbs. 

It isn't tidy, but it is easy to keep clean.

Ducks... ducks are a different brooder of birds. 

Right now, I am enjoying the laid back care required for chicks. 

In comparison to ducklings. 

It is so sweet how quickly they develop this chicken behaviour.

Welcome to the world little birdies!

In case you had not noticed, we are happy you are here. 

Dolly

This is Dolly, our beloved hen.

She doesn't really understand she is a chicken.

She has taken to snoozing in the cloak room, and laying eggs beside the dryer, 

sat on top of a bin bag, full of grubby shoes.

She is funny old bird,

and we love her dearly. 

Made me laugh

Invaded by birds

We had a really good hatch from our Golden giant quails,

which has resulted in us have brooder after brooder full of these sweet little birdies.

On top of the quails, we've also had the arrival of our second batch of dinner chickens.

The hatchlings are thrilled.

Look at them all! 

And all these birds.

A sum total of nearly a hundred birds are currently under heat lamps in my sitting room. 

Seriously.

The smell, yeah, it is enough to make me heave.

Which is why, they really must go out into an outbuilding tomorrow. 

Regardless, of how much fun it is to have so many birdies to play with.

Endless Patience

Have you ever noticed how animals exercise so much patience.

Never pre - occupied or too busy to play.

Always there, waiting for a cuddle.

Somedays, encouragement is found in a small feathered friend.

And we are thankful for all the blessings in our life.

A great day to be alive

I woke up this morning to the most beautiful day.

The sun and the sea... I am truly blessed to be.

We have had a busy morning with football matches and chores.

Treats received for a good football game.

He is pretty pleased with himself.

Bunnies to tidy up after.

So cute that furry nose!

Chickens everywhere!

This poulet is going to have such lovely markings.

We bathed the grubby ducklings. 

Before heading down to the beach.

Isn't that water gorgeous!

The hatchlings ran around collecting shells,

splashing in waves,

until some friends came along to bbq on the beach with us.

There was many treasures buried and recovered.

Does this girl not have the most awesome taste in shoes!

Hatchling no4 ran off with the remaining baguette,

before this hatchling ran out of steam.

So we waved goodbye, and returned home, thankful for such a wonderful day.

Saturday morning

This train set has to be the best toy we have ever purchased.

If I had it to do over again. I would buy much less and stick to stuff like this.

Hatchling no3 says that the cows tell her that she has a beautiful voice.

And that they never want her to stop singing.

Well, they sure look pleased to be sung too.

The guinea pigs had their first taste of sunshine.

And after coming in early to eat all hatchling no5's breakfast and drinking my cup of coffee,

the windows were properly shut, and then hens were sent back outside!

An afternoon in photos

These chickens

are very tolerant

towards hatchlings.

Picking flowers,

on our way

to the shore.

Before heading 

to the park

to finish

a lovely afternoon.

First dinner

We made it to the other side of our move, and even managed to find enough cook ware to cook with. Except for forks... 

Anyways, I set up the dining room table in the conservatory, which is actually quite long, this just just the one end of it.

It really couldn't be helped.

With views like these.

That wind turbine is working hard to keep me in free electricity. So happy!

One of the most wonderful parts of living out on these islands, is being able to wake up each day and look outside. It makes you feel like you are on holiday, somewhere really special, everyday. 

It doesn't really seem to matter where you are, or which island you are on, the landscape is breath taking.

On a side note, have you ever moved house with chickens?

 Our hens took the empty house to be an open invitation.

This hatchling worked tirelessly all day to keep turfing them back outside.

Not that they minded. 

And when we thought we'd lost Dolly,

we found her in a kitchen cupboard.

Wishing you a very happy weekend!