There is a field at the other end of the village where part of it has been completely stripped by free ranging chickens. We’ve been trying to teach ours to free range as our back yard is currently full of grasses with seeds which must be a rich treat for chickens. However ours appear to be a little fussy. They’ve only just accepted eating their food off the ground and not put nicely in bowls, the concept of actually going out and finding their food seems a one that they refuse to grasp. We’ve even tried reducing their food, but all that happens is that they try to get into the garage to get to the food bag.
They’re not too bad with vegetable peelings, although they did take great offense to some potatoes I put out. Tomatoes seem to be their favourite. The small ones use their size to their advantage and manage to nip under the legs of the bigger ones and run off with the tomatoes. It’s quite funny to watch. They’ve also taken to melon, which is just as well as we have a melon mountain. A man came to the door selling them by the basket and we ended up with 7 or 8!
Jesus said he’d like a couple of our chicks. They are looking rather good now (in a funny silkie sort of way), although we still can’t tell their gender. I just hope we don’t end up giving all the girls away!
Ian’s been trying to teach the kittens how to abseil. As they are small, although they are good at jumping, the chances are that the dogs could get to where ever they could get their food. Ian’s put their food onto a table in my workshop with a towel strategically placed over the edge to encourage them to climb up and abseil down. They eventually got the hang of it, Bob trying to work out his own route to the food is keeping him amused for hours on end.
Our boilers not working, however it is so hot at the moment that it is impossible to get cold water anyway. Admittedly tepid showers aren’t great, but it’s not too bad.
Ankle is doing well, just a bit stiff. Went on a cycle ride, and didn’t have any problems. However I decided I wouldn’t worry if I did as what we really need is a tandem. I’ve explained to Ian how great it would be. He went deathly quiet with excitement – I think…