The mornings are getting busier on the farm now with the arrival of another 8 mixed hens to join our 7 Isa Browns. The new girls have just started to lay pullet eggs after two weeks. Though it seems a bit cosy in the Solway hen house, everyone seems to get on OK now.
Breeds include Speckledy, Blacktail, Silver Sussex, Sussex, Bluebell and Rhode Rock.
They all currently enjoy a run with the shelter of the Bothy on one side and a fenceline on the other, providing shelter and security, but without the possibility to create variations on the chicken run. The plan is to move the run adjacent to the new vegetable beds as the birds show little interest in the greens but love the seeds of invasive grasses, as well as the slugs. Within the new field we can also alter the fence to make rotating “teardrop” shapes and fertilise new beds whilst also permitting free roaming when we are around.
Of course the daily result of feed and water (those girls drink a lot!) are beautiful fresh eggs, prefect for poaching. Local human-powered food mile supplies by bike from eggs@achrayfarm.co.uk
Finally, in egg-related news, we now have six duck eggs in the incubator and expecting new arrivals this week…