Umm.. yes, it definately feels like we're turning this quaint cottage into a farm today; right now hubby and the boys are out picking up the new chicken coop for our birds.

It's kind of exciting yet scary since there's alot of work involved in looking after them. I read they're like pets and need regualr supervision to make sure we don't have nasty brooders, not to mention protecting them from fox's. I'm glad we have a very large garden otherwise I think i'd be the type to get overwhelmed if they were on top of me. The garden is big enough to move the coop around the garden every week or so. They'll be totaly free range, none of this factory raised method where there are like gazillions of birds living in dreadful conditions.

 I think fil said he bought us 6 birds, enough to have a few eggs a day. The birds are a little young yet to start laying, it'll be another month or so before we get any produce from them; but in that time it'll be nice to get to know them, let them get aquainted in there new home and check out the surroundings etc.

Onto other things, my tickets arrived today for my holiday, I'm going in 26 days - ooooooooh I can't wait. My inlaws will be staying here at my house to look after the kids, birds, the dog and the veggie garden. Alot of work for them but I think they'll cope. i'm already packed - just sitting on the countdown and basically cleaning up just to take my mind of my lack of patience lol, I think i'm driving hubby round the twist lately casue all I talk about is the bloody holiday he-he.

We'll i'd better be getting on, there's not that many hours left in the day and I haven't done anything yet. [Blush] Talk to you later xxx

Comments:

You've got your own utopia over there. Terrific.

comment by shesaidwhat on July 11, 2008 3:38 AM ()

It's nice to be self reliant especially since there are 9 people living in the house, loads of helping hands make these things possible. we live a unique life and I wouldn't change it for the world.

reply by lynnie on July 11, 2008 11:12 AM ()

How lucky you are to have a large yard! AND, fresh eggs daily! Your trip sounds exciting, and you are all prepared for it! You are really organized!

comment by sunlight on July 6, 2008 5:08 PM ()

I've been packed since last year lol, I can't wait to go back to tennerife, 20 days to go wooohooo

reply by lynnie on July 10, 2008 7:03 PM ()

you can handle all of this.A tough woman that you are.
Just think in another ten years or so,will be laughing at this.
Cocka doodle dooooooooooooooooooooooooo

comment by fredo on July 5, 2008 1:26 PM ()

In 10yrs I hope to be selling to the manufacturers. We're planning on having the hens re-producting at a 'lunar' high. Apparently hens 'n' seeds (veggie seeds) develope much better at this spiritual stage. I rise one eyebrow - but.... am willing to try anything to taste the best of what food has to offer

reply by lynnie on July 6, 2008 9:16 AM ()

Good idea - BTW, when are you getting the 'Pig'?? - you can have bacon 'n eggs for brekkie too then!

comment by augusta on July 5, 2008 11:51 AM ()

- No, but I do now!!!!(that'd keep 'gut's almighty' here quiet for a moment or two(ish) . . . does that mean you 'are' getting a Cow, instead of the Pig???????? - Right on! Thats GREAT! - Eggs and Steak for brekkie, WoW! And, gazzillions of tons of 'manure' for your garden toboot

and 'Milk' . . . . . .

reply by augusta on July 5, 2008 12:07 PM ()

I'm afraid the weiner is on hold! Roger thinks the kids will get too attatched to a piggy. Did you know that a cow supplies 800llbs of edible beef!

reply by lynnie on July 5, 2008 11:57 AM ()

we had chickens once, growing up. Personally, they got on my nerves. Have fun on your holiday!

comment by ekyprogressive on July 5, 2008 11:45 AM ()

Especially when you have the roosters crowing at 3:00 a.m.

reply by texastar on July 5, 2008 4:46 PM ()

I thought that since my garden is big - very big they won't seem to be on top of me, this may be a self created myth but i'm hoping since there are 9 of us living here we may be ok. It is purely for egg production and to eat for free'ish, I know there's all the corn and bedding and other overheads involved in keeping a healthy stock but with luck it'll be worth it in the end. I remain open minded, but if it's too much hastle fil can have them back lol. I hope not though.

reply by lynnie on July 5, 2008 11:55 AM ()

I think its great you're doing such an eco-friendly thing by raising your own hens for egg production. There is nothing tastier than farm-fresh eggs!

comment by mattguru18 on July 5, 2008 11:09 AM ()

Last year fil brought 6 fresh eggs too us everyday from his own chickens, they were the nicest eggs I had ever tasted...time went on and fil had his chickens stollen, we were all gutted to say the least. This time he bought a particular type of bird that apparently lay like machines lol. Maybe i'll end up selling some and making some profit - who know's

reply by lynnie on July 5, 2008 11:51 AM ()

Chicken likin good.Good luck .

comment by fredo on July 5, 2008 9:49 AM ()

I'll need all the luck I can get, with my husband, 7 kids and 6 chicken it's like having 14 dependents Hopefully it wont be too hard.

reply by lynnie on July 5, 2008 11:49 AM ()

Will your chickens be laying white or brown eggs?What do I know,I'm a city girl.Laurie

comment by dogsalot on July 5, 2008 9:32 AM ()

I have no idea, fil is the chicken expert here, i'll just follow his rules and instructions and see what happens lol

reply by lynnie on July 5, 2008 11:47 AM ()

good luck with the chickens! alot of people are doing that nowadays. perhaps I should look into it as well! have a great saturday!

comment by elkhound on July 5, 2008 7:53 AM ()

I was in a book store last week and was very suprised as to how many local people were growing they're own food because of the price increases. A few of us were looking for wine recipes, I think this is the new way of today. Everyones going organic in the cheapest way. It might be going back to the old ways but when push comes to shove - what else can we do!

reply by lynnie on July 5, 2008 11:46 AM ()

We had chickens when I was growing up. They kept us in eggs most of the time. My chore was to gather the eggs and feed them in the mornings and the evenings and make sure they had plenty of fresh water.

comment by texastar on July 5, 2008 5:25 AM ()

For sure!!

reply by texastar on July 5, 2008 4:45 PM ()

It's going to be an interesting journey

reply by lynnie on July 5, 2008 11:43 AM ()

Wow what a self contained way to live

comment by lillian on July 5, 2008 5:15 AM ()

Times are hard, the goverment is cruel, shops charge too much and I was reduced to making sure I have the very best products but costing next to nothing! I don't see why we should compromise our eating habits because of inflation. I'm way to stuborn, besides a little bit of gardening is great excercise and we'll reap the rewards in the long run

reply by lynnie on July 5, 2008 11:42 AM ()