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TIGER BLUES We all get to an age, or a creakiness, where we have to adjust. So after months of deliberation I’ve decided to just keep these ie Blue Barred. The reasons for this are:- 1) I like the colour 2) When mated to a black cockerel they give both blue and black pullets for sale. 3) The...

Visited a neighbour, well a mile or two away. We were sat in the kitchen when I heard a bump bump bump noise of something falling down the stairs. There, shaking itself indignantly, was a half grown runner duck. Only in Fetlar would someone raise ducklings in their bedroom.

So say I to a neighbour a couple of miles away. ‘If you were to mate your Dorset Horn Ram (one pictured above) to a couple of your Hampshire Ewes (he has a raft of different breed) this autumn I’d be very keen to buy a decent ram lamb from you next back’end’. Being an obliging Lancastrian ‘aye...

After a number of dead Great Skuas were sent away for testing avian flu has been confirmed on Fair Isle. Fortunately this is the most geographically isolated community in Britain so, fingers crossed, it won’t spread. It’s also a strain that does not effect humans. Bit close for comfort though!?

So Gainsborough’s Blue Boy is returning to England after 100 years. Now call me daft but I’m sure satire existed in the 18th century! Or am I just applying today’s norms! ???

Thought that would get your attention. Someone asked me the other day something that I couldn’t answer. Can a Leghorn cockerel successfully mate an Orpington hen or do you need to trim the hens vent feathers? Or are the problems that Orpington’s have regarding fertility caused by the Orpington...

There is a lot of controversy over what kind of perches one should use in a hen house. The absolute best product is CLS timber. It is cheap to buy and therefore cheap to replace if necessary. The standard size (75mm x 50mm) is perfect for large fowl. This is comfortable for the birds feet and...

Lambing huh! Last year I got twelve lambs from four ewes. One died soon after being born but the other eleven all thrived. Two weeks ago one ewe aborted its lambs. Today the first one to lamb correctly gave birth to one lamb. I then noticed a pair of hind feet protruding from her so...

I don’t know how many of you hatch eggs or read obscure publications on chicken genetics for that matter. But if you hatch chicks of Dominiques, Wyandottes, Hamburg’s or any other rose combed breeds then you need to know this. I did know what I’m about to say but verified it this year to satisfy...

Is it me? Am I turning into a miserable old git? Last weekend I ordered three different sixes of hatching eggs from three different breeders. All three breeds lay tinted eggs. The first lot arrived today. I’ve scoured the packaging and labelling. No way of telling which six they are. No senders...

Nice sunny day here so decided to de-louse my chickens. I’ve been putting it off for weeks blaming the weather, neighbours visiting or the Mars landings. So today was the day. I hate the sheer pandemonium it causes. The woman, or man, who comes up with an oral solution to this (like Flubenvet...

No, not the calendar date but the biological date. Next week I start saving eggs to go in my incubators on March 21st. Certainly indicates the return of Spring to me but also a burst of activity and excitement. Very much a case this year of not indulging in any flights of fancy (though I would...

I’ve agreed to help a neighbour next Monday to push 51 cattle through a race so the vet can take blood samples to test for TB and Johnes Disease. I Ihope they’ve all been dehorned! ???

If you want to add glitter to a card what do you use to glue it on with?

I seem to remember reading years ago that due to their fluffy ‘bums’ Orpington’s should have their feathers and fluff trimmed to ensure fertile eggs are laid. Anyone have any knowledge or experience of this?

New year purge! Probably going to let the black sheep and Dominique hens go to concentrate on these. (These aren’t my stock but very similar).

Just booked one of these for next year. It was developed in Hope Valley, the place I lived for most of my adult life. Must be getting sentimental in my old age! The breed is called the Whitefaced Woodland.

Thanks Marigold. I’ve learnt how to do it! (Picture is of no relevance to anything. It’s just a birthday card I sent to a fan of the Pet Shop Boys.)