Fairies and hens!

Forgot to update blog to say the missing hen returned safe and sound! The very nice neighbours caught her and returned her to the coop. Since then they have not been out into the extended and obviously escapable run! So today, having been ripped off at B&Q for some fencing posts I actually built a run for them (with the help of Mr Very Nice Neighbour) and tomorrow it will get a net roof and they can once again be free to roam more! It is interesting to see them stand at the end of the smaller run every day demanding to be let into the new run - no long to go now girls - just wish they'd start laying!
And also today we had a birthday party for our youngest - I have always scoffed at the idea of 'invite the number of kids equal to their age' but invariably find that the kids' parties completely floor me and leave me in a semi comatose state gasping for air and gin (not necessarily in that order!) But today we had 3 kids around for her 3rd birthday - and it was fab. Everyone really enjoyed (even liking the fairy cakes I made that looked like they had a squashed frog on top of them!) and no-one was too frazzled. Definitely the way forwards!

The chickens have landed

So, finally, after many years of dreaming the hens are here!
I have always wanted hens for eggs and possibly meat and one of my conditions of moving house (in April) was that I could get my chooks! So I got the house and run in the summer and last weekend got the hens. They are 3 twelve week old pullets - 8 weeks away from laying but that gives them time to settle in and get used to the kids peering in at them!
So the smallholding dream is now one step closer......