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The Orchard's highlights...

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The stories...

The broody season kicked off in true style with one of my Silkie hens diligently sitting for three long weeks, and hatching absolutely nothing! Her motherly urge was so powerful that she remained seated for another three weeks with a fresh clutch of eggs kindly replaced by Olivia. Sadly, however, after this long ordeal she produced a total of zero offspring. I promptly moved her back outside with the others where she has been thoroughly alienated. The other Silkies are proud co-parents to four confident, well-rounded Pekin chicks... happily sharing the burdens of parenthood, there is no room for another helper!

Generally, it is unusual for two hens to join forces, but not an uncommon occurrence in the realms of Chicken Corner. It occurs if you take an attitude of ‘just let them get on with it’. All those weeks ago, I placed six eggs in each of their nests, but as the days went by, one nest ended up with 12 and the other zero and vice versa. It was clear there was some ‘swapping and switching’ going on – least it was spicing up their lives a bit I guess. This procedure probably sabotaged the hatching success rate, which needs a severe going-over if we’re going by the figures thus far.

These two hens are very protective over their chicks, making all the conventional mother-hen kerfuffle during every action they undertake. Yet, to their dismay, their babies wander far and wide, crossing un-known territories and ending up in the Buff Orpington run. They especially enjoy tea-time, when they just love to chat to Caesar, the cockerel, over tasty pieces of wheat. This interaction is wonderful to witness as the size comparison between the gang is extraordinary.

There has been further success in the next village, as my sister, Izzi and friend, Lara’s hen, Tinkerbell (a spotted Pekin), has hatched five Pekins and one extremely large Buff Orpington cockerel. Buff Orpington’s are one of the only breeds I can sex from an early age, as the males always have black spots on their fluffy buff-coloured heads. Apparently, the inclusion of this particular Orpington egg was a last-minute decision, but there’s a reason for everything as out came this larger-than-life chick.

Eye witness accounts state that he likes to go ‘walk-about’ (like Nullah from the film Australia) beyond the boundaries of his designated area and the safety of Tinkerbell, and like a true cockerel, is fearless of the white cat which lurks around those parts.


I’ve encouraged Izzi to bring the family back to the safety of Chicken Corner, where Tiva (my tabby cat) has been taught that poultry and especially their miniature offspring, are ‘friends and not food’. These lessons have paid off, watching my four adventurous Pekin chicks cross no-man’s land (an enclosure temporarily out of action) where Tiva was sitting slap-bang in the middle. The chicks reached the safety of their mothers’ embrace, quite calmly actually, as Tiva had completely ignored their bold migration.

The potential for new life at Chicken Corner does not end there however, two Orpington hens are currently broody (all Orpington eggs), set to hatch in one and two weeks time. Additionally, three Pekin hens are also set to hatch in two weeks. To keep the peace between my sisters, these hens are sitting on a mixture of Olivia’s Araucanas and Izzi’s Pekin eggs. The little pekins have morphed into pancakes as they attempt to incubate their large clutch of eggs. And yes, G is one of these hens. Her natural maternal talent dominating her competitive edge, hence why the decision was called that she will not attend the Royal Norfolk Show.

Bye chicks x


Written: 9th June 2018

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Hello again! I hope you haven’t been pining after your weekly fix of Chicken Corner for too long. I am well aware that I haven’t been keeping you up-to-date for over 3 months now, which, as far as I’m concerned, is totally unforgivable and I apologise profusely!

Let’s not waste anymore time then and get straight down to it. In the time you’ve been away, disaster struck the Light Sussex enclosure as Zuccubar, my cockerel, sadly died during the night. If I’m honest, I was as much in the dark about this event as you were, as my family decided not to inform me during my University exam season… instead, on my arrival home, Olivia walked me to Chicken Corner and broke the news ever..so..slowly..

Although a sad tale, like most things in life, there was a silver lining as I had decided against entering that particular cockerel into the Poultry competition at the Royal Norfolk Show. This saved me £4. For my big poultry showing come-back (on a level similar to Take That’s reunion in 2005), I have instead chosen to enter Caesar, my Buff Orpington cockerel and G, my partridge pekin hen as well as a variety of large and bantam eggs AND a decorated egg! (Actually I really must start seeking inspiration for that – that’s very important).

There is one tiny problem however, G has decided to go broody!! Normally I wouldn’t think twice, obviously I wouldn’t waste a £4 entry and allow her to remain broody… but she is such a natural mother, producing 6 healthy chicks last year. It has been a difficult decision to call and frankly, I’m still undecided about the whole thing. Side note: You may be wondering why she’s called G.. well fun fact, she is one half of Ali and G. Sadly however, due to a raging fox, Ali died in the Easter massacre back in 2017.

Anyway, I’ll keep you posted on my new showing journey and hopefully provide an answer to the question plaguing all our minds: will G attend the show?!

Remember to tune in next time for the successes and failures of this year’s broody hens, and their unconventional, yet effective mothering techniques.

Bye chicks x


Written: 2nd June 2018

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On the other side of the Polar Vortex and stepping into Spring with extensive mud attached to my boots, the start of 2018 has been an interesting affair for Chicken Corner and other farm friends. In the early winter months Chicken Corner has faced the Beast from the East, an avian bird flu scare as well as a few uplifting sunny days..

With the majority of Chicken Corner happy and healthy, it comes with a heavy heart to announce the death of my grey call duck; beloved friend to my white call duck who, if I’m honest, has let herself go a bit to say the least. We’re not sure what ended her life but Olivia found her face down in the grass still breathing, so brought her inside to recover, but she didn’t make it to the next morning. The news hit the white duck the hardest as she came to terms with the fact that her only “friend” was a disinterested drake. On a day to day basis, a convoy unfolds as she waddles after the male while he pursues the frizzle Pekin hen... I don’t think he will ever recover from ‘duck who thinks he’s a chicken’ disorder, along with its devastating effects. Honestly, it’s a crushing situation to witness.

As the female’s current priority is desperately following the drake around the farmyard, hygiene has simply gone out of the window. It could be a symptom of grief as she used to spend hours with her grey companion splashing about in various washing-up bowls and flower pots… Its just such a shame to see her crystal white feathering slowly turning to a brownish hue; and, whats worse, she doesn’t quack any more (because there’s no one there to call to). Fun/(potentially upsetting) Fact: Why are they named ‘Call ducks’? Well, its due to their extremely loud quack which people use to locate them in the wild. It seems that her natural characteristic has ceased to exist – its all too emotional to bear!

In light of this information, I decided to expose her to the water once again. I picked her up and placed her in the bowl, pouring water over her and allowing her to splash about. And didn’t she just (pardon the pun) take like a duck to water?! It was an incredible moment in history – enhanced by Olivia’s sentimental words “she hasn’t looked this happy for months.” Observing from afar, it has become clear that the two remaining waterfowl are fundamentally different; although they say opposites attract – its not the case here. Taking inspiration from one of those ever-popular home decor signs, the male literally waits for the storm to pass (whilst standing under the shepherd’s hut) and the female dances in the rain (mostly looking for slugs)… metaphorically speaking, I wouldn’t say she’s grabbing life with both paddled-feet but she’s certainly making the most of the rain.

The question is, (and I hope you’ll be able to help me answer): Do we get her a more compatible companion; male or a female?


Bye chicks x


Written: 27th March 2018

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