The Gas Meter Chicks

Me again with an update...
Here is the Gas Meter site, sans hen

  I went out to have a look after I posted and slap bang in the middle of a path sat mother hen. Clearly, the chicks had run out of the nest and she had followed them and was sitting on them to keep them safe. Several feet away at the gas meter site were three cold eggs and a pile of egg shells. I went over to the pile and found that the eggs were cold., though one was cheeping..what to do? I fetched a big cardboard box from the garage, put straw thickly on the bottom and ran back to Mother Hen. Picking a hen up that has chicks under her is not a job for the faint hearted. Sustaining several vicious pecks to my hands and arms I put her in the box, she immediately jumped out of course, but I soldiered on. I picked up the five chicks that were on the path to place them in the box and she attacked me again and another chick fell out from under her wing. When they were all placed in the box she finally got the idea and jumped in with them. I then placed the remaining eggs under her  and after several more vicious pecks and some very un-ladylike language (from us both) she settled. I covered half the box with a cloth and left her. I then set about clearing up the egg shells and under the pile of empty shells was a cold dead chick. I was going to dispatch it to the bin with the shells but thought it might be worth a punt to revive it ( we have bought a chick "back from the dead" before ) So I tuned on our incubator to warm and fetched a hair dryer. while the incubator was warming I cuddled the chick in my jumper and from about a foot and  a half away blew warm air onto it. After  half an hour it started to move and began  to cheep faintly, so I popped it into the incubator. I put  a jam jar lid of water and one of chick crumbs in with it an I am sitting here fingers crossed.
This interlude successfully got rid of my morning!
  This afternoon David has worked on getting an Ark ready, while the rest of the family have been assembling a run for the lambs, from pallets (of course). By mid afternoon the chick in the incubator was making quite a racket and was immediately called Lazarus. Here he is..,

 I guessed it was worth risking  introducing him back with its brothers and sisters. While one of us put fresh chick crumbs in front of the hen I snook Lazarus under her tail end. Result! in he snuggled.
 After tea we carried the the box over to the ark and while David lifted up the hen (ooh the language!) and we placed the chicks in the run ..all 9 of them!! Mum soon followed them and settled down straight away.
Here they are..The Gas Meter Gang...

Two of the remaining eggs are clearly not viable and the hen has now kicked them out, but the third is still cheeping so we have put it in the incubator to see what happens.

Once the run was assembled for the lambs they had their afternoon bottle. Here they are being fed by my granddaughters.

And here are said granddaughters with their dogs.

I think that is enough for this post.
I'll read the comments from my last post now and reply to everyone.
Bye
love Gillx

Surprise Babies!

Hello from a sunny but chilly Derbyshire.
A warm welcome to Annie, UnDomesticDiva (great name) and LilaCottageGoats and Bonjour to Frugal in France who have clicked the Follower button and Edith and Jean Schofield on Blog lovin. Lovely to see you here.
Anyone who has kept hens knows the sound of a broody leaving the nest for "the daily poo". She squawks and runs around like a maniac, deposits the most enormous smelly poo, she might have a dust bath or drink and returns as soon as possible to her clutch.
Last week we heard this sound in the front garden, identified the hen and watched her return to a clutch of eggs against the wall of the house next to the gas meter. This wall is about twelve feet from the main road and it is possible that everyone in the village but us knew she was there ! We had no idea how long she had been there, but the eggs looked pretty shiny (not freshly laid) We have had very little rain, but the nights have been cold, but she seemed pretty comfy. I placed a board against the wall to provide some sort of cover and ensured that I left food and water next to her.
On Friday the Gas man called to read the meter. "It's outside" I said "I'll come with you". "No need" he said "I'll manage". I insisted and ensured that he was quiet and careful, as I realigned the wood so that he could open the box. he said that he had never encountered such a thing before and went away chuckling.
 This morning I took some water and food to her and knew straight away that she was not talking to me, but to chicks with the special hen-to-chick speak. I immediately changed her water bowl for a shallow bowl ( I think I have lost more chicks to drowning in water bowls than any other cause) and found some chick crumbs to add to the hen food. As hens sit for 21 days she must have been there for two weeks before we spotted her!
 So the first job for us today is to get a small ark ready for her and the chicks, so that they can be kept safe. Our cat Dixie doesn't touch chicks, but she isn't the only cat in the village!
 All for now. Photos later
Gillx

Of Things Springlike on the Smallholding

Hello Hello Hello
Welcome to Myshabbychicvintagefrugallife on the follower bar and Joanne and Kate Greenhalgh on Blog Lovin.
It's been a while since my last post but I really have been busy.
Spring has started to spring here on our Derbyshire Smallholding. - The pond in the orchard (posh word for an enclosure with fruit tress in it that also serves as the chicken run) is full of frog spawn, hens have started to go broody all over the place, three little piggies are ensconced in the barn and have been joined by three lambs - so it's bottle time again! Sucker for punishment aren't I ?- I was suppose to be taking it easier this year.
 The pigs are a cross between a Large English White and an Oxfordshire Sand and Black (or is it sandy-black?) anyway these boys look just like large whites as their sisters seem to have inherited the colours of the Oxford. They look exactly like each other so it is difficult to say who is who. I have noticed, however, that they have different voices, so I guess I will be able to tell soon as I get usd to them, plus the numbers in their ears help!
Here they are demolishing a Sprouting broccoli plant straight from the garden. So Bloggy friends meet - Pickle, Gregory and Mr Grey (Christian for short)

When I last posted about the pigs I discussed the strict rules re. what you can feed pigs nowadays, with nothing from a food room (kitchen) and nothing that has been near any meat products. "It's not that strict surely?" friends say and I reply that it certainly is. HOWEVER  Did anyone see the Countryfile programme that made a complete lie of this?! A woman, who kept pigs was going to make a cawl (welsh soup/stew) She stood next to the pig pen with her basket on her arm, in this basket were two chunks of fresh pork. Matt asked her if it was okay to be there with the meat and she replied that they didn't know what it was.  I guess that Matt meant the proximity of the meat with the pigs. However the programme then moved on to her kitchen where Matt was helping her to prepare the stew. He cut the tops off the carrots and asked where he should put them and she offered him her pig bucket, which was under the table. On this table was the makings of the stew including the two joints of pork. Now which bit of that is okay? and why wasn't there some sort of disclaimer from the BBC? or shall we all break all these rules (and goodness knows life would be easier) so that people can enjoy looking at this idyllic county life world that Countryfile is feeding the viewers
. I was minded of when we were taking a lamb to the  butchers for a given slot of time ( he is a very kind guy that only works with a few animals at a time) and the trailer broke down. We hurriedly put the lamb in the back of the Berlingo and raced to the butchers. He was VERY angry with us and said that the movement wasn't legal, but wouldn't stress the animal further, so accepted him. His parting shot was that Adam Henson had a lot to answer for! ( if you don't watch Countryfile, Adam Henson is a farmer on the programme, He throws sundry animals into the back of his Landrover and drives all over the place)

We picked up the three lambs yesterday. I love looking around other holdings and this one was deep into a wood in the middle of nowhere. The singleton is three days old and called biscuit, the twins are two days old and are called Baaaabarara and Biffy (boy) yet again, the grandchildren named them and obviously it is the letter "B" this year for lambs.
  Here they are, snug as bugs in rugs, under a heat lamp just for a couple of nights to get them off to a good start. They are feeding from their bottles really well and we are hopeful for them. It is likely that we will get two more yet if they are available.

I seem to be spending a lot of my time mucking out and moving things around this week. I'm hoping to get time to do some Civic Society work tomorrow as it is the AGM next week and there is much to do.
As always, at this time of year I am happy to see the back of Mother's Day, which I dislike more and more. When we were young we used to be given a little card at Sunday School, this we gave to our mothers, who would use it to mark their place in their bible or hymn book. We might also give them a little posy of primroses or violets  if we could find them, It was called Mothering Sunday then and was for young children and their mummies, not for grown ups to spend large amounts of money on goodness knows what on their mothers. I don't need a card or anything else from my children, they came for tea on Sunday, but then they come for tea EVERY Sunday.
 I'm not doing too well with my seeds this year. I keep looking at blogs where there are rows and rows of seedlings, looking strong and almost ready for the ground. I have a few up but most are still in the packet!
All for now, off to wash the smell of pig away.
Gillx
PS Does anyone know why I suddenly have a lot of views from Russia!?

Pigs and a Barter

Hello All.
Welcome  to Alison Murphy on Blog lovin. I seem to have lost someone from the follower bar.. is it something I said?!

I have been really busy this last week, hence my tardiness with posts.

I went shopping this morning, stocking up on baking stuff as I need to make a few cakes and cookies. We are expecting quite a few visitors this weekend and I like to offer a slice of cake with a cup of tea. On Tuesday afternoon we have a work party organised for "our stretch" of derelict canal and the volunteers will need some sustenance. Then on Wednesday evening we have a large meeting at our house so tea, coffee, home made wine and cake will be the order of the evening.
I went to Lidl and found that their sugar was 49 pence a bag and butter was 89 pence a half pound, really good value. I already have a plentiful stock of flour and the hens are laying well.

We went to see the pigs I mentioned last week and put our name on 3 boars. They are Large English White and Oxfordshire sandy and black cross (though there is little sign of the latter) By next weekend they will be ensconced. Pictures to follow soon. I promised our youngest granddaughter and my godson's daughter that they could name one each. So welcome Pickle and Gregory (I have no idea!) said Godson said that he wanted to name the last one as he hadn't named an animal in many years so  Welcome Mr Grey !

I have finally found a farmer that may have cade lambs. There was a time when farmers almost paid you to take them away, but there seems to be a real shortage nowadays. I have told him that we will take 4 to 6  if he gets any. I already have a large sack of lamb milk replacer that was given to me by a friend to get us started.
The greenhouse seeding is not going too well. The tomato seedlings seem to have stopped growing. Those that are left that is.. A blackbird was shut in, I have no idea how, and knocked off a couple of trays of tomato seedlings, most of which have snapped off. she also knocked over the onion seedlings and dug up some broad bean seeds. Goodness knows how long she was in there or indeed how.

As you know we DO like a spot of barter -
Here is a picture of the load of branches from the back of our godson's pick up truck.. He bartered these for a nucleus of bees. Good swap methinks.

Today and yesterday David has been cutting the branches into lengths for the fire, and grading them for thickness. When cut  we have put them into tonne backs to keep them together and get an idea of how much wood we have from this load.  So far we have two tonne bags full of one foot lengths and still cutting, grading them for size.         These logs will be for next winters burning.

Reading SimpleSuffolkSmallholders blog about downsizing or reducing jobs I realise that we are probably doing more (pigs!) and really should be thinking of doing a little less. We do have regular monthly break though. If you call travelling to Cornwall for a weekends fishing a break!

Talking of fishing , the first trip is set for the Easter weekend. Our youngest daughter will move in again while we are away. She hasn't actually said that she doesn't like pigs (or lambs or chickens or rabbits) but her eyes did go skyward when we said we were thinking of getting some.

All for now, hope not to leave it too long before I next post.

Gillx

What if you develop Dementia?

  Hello All
Many thanks for your comments on my last post.
Welcome to Chris Moorwood on the Follower bar and Crafty Mum, Sharon Deasy, Beth and The Pumpkin Life on Blog Lovin.
                                                        Last week I popped in on an dear old friend of ours. We have known S and his sweet wife C. since our eldest were little. They are smallholders too, buying their place the year before we did ours. For many years C. has been the carer for S. who has mobility and sight difficulties. They have mucked along well, with a busy lifestyle and many friends. Unfortunately C. has developed dementia, which has raced along . Reluctantly S. has had to make arrangements for C. to go into a home. (racing after someone who has "escaped" again in the middle of the country when you can only shuffle a few steps is an impossible task) Finding the right place for an active "fit as a butchers dog" 70 year old has been problematical as she won't stay in one place long and is constantly finding things to do..... "helping" other residents in and out of bed, moving the fire extinguisher, packing other residents belongings up etc.. you get the idea. As yet the right place hasn't been found that can meet C's needs. As a retired Social Worker I have a pretty good idea of the difficulties of finding a good "fit" for residential care and individuals and feel for S as he has to deal with his anxiety for C's welfare and the "guilt" he feels because he can't look after her himself.
How many of us make plans for our retirement, often moving to the country or the sea, thinking that we might eventually have to downsize a little or cut down on the number of animals we are going to keep,We then see our future as just doing a little less, as we knit and sew and go for little walks or out to lunch with friends as we slow down? Do we give any thought to be mentally unable? I certainly haven't, I now have food for thought.

Yesterday the family came for tea as usual. EGD had found a site that has a sale of dress patterns. We had already decided that we were going to make dresses for ourselves this year and had drawn a blank at the CSs. We spent a happy hour choosing patterns and are now looking forward to the patterns arriving and us choosing the material. I think we will have to go into Derby for the material, as there are a couple of large material stalls at the Eagle Centre Market. So long a they don't make me go into the HUGE shopping centre which used to be Westfield.(don't know its new name) This centre is a huge soulless mall that has all the "big" names and absolutely no character or individuality. If ever I have to go there (M&S Jeans) I emerge a husk,  The site we used was  "Sew essential" - New Look patterns. The patterns were half price which is a great saving.

Last week, after I got back from visiting S., David and I started to get the veg beds ready. A good start was made, after a shower I started the emails that I am tasked to send on behalf of the Civic Society and I really felt we were getting on well. Huh!
The next morning I could hardly move as my back had "gone", I shuffled around like a cross between Quasimodo and Julie Walter's serving soup. That put paid to any heavy gardening, but here was till much to do in the house. The next morning (Friday) I woke up rolled over and was immediately sick. B****r. the sicky/fally-over thing that put me in hospital a couple of times last year was back. Fortunately I have some anti-sickness pills for it (which don't seem to work) and an understanding of what was happening to me. So I have been sitting down getting increasingly frustrated while I got my balance back.
Today I am more my old self and feeling positive that I am on the mend.

Tonight David and I are going to view some pigs. I am very excited! Will let you know how I get on.
Take Care all
Gillx

Gay Gardening - the book.

Hello Again.
It has been sometime since my last post (that sounds like "It has been some time since my last confession"!) I'm getting worse instead of better at this blogging.
I have been reading blogs however and keeping up with what is going on in blogland.
I hope you like my title.. almost worthy  of John Gray I reckon.
This refers to one of the books given to me at Christmas by DF, the friend that I knitted the dishcloth for. ( I blogged about this 17th January)
Here are the books he gave me. They are all second hand as is our agreement (to spend as little as possible)

 The John Seymour book speaks for itself and a great read it is too.
 To the fore of this is 100 Sandwich Varieties, published in the mid 1930s. I intend to share some of the "recipes" with you.
To the top right is Mrs Rundell's Domestic Cookery - "formed upon principle of economy and adapted to the use of private families" Published 1861. The opening para says " In every rank,those  deserve the greatest praise, who best acquit themselves of the duties which their station requires" 
This book actually has some good recipes and some great advice about being a good woman.
The fourth book belonged to DF's mama and is about the arrangement of beds, planning herbivorous borders etc "written with an ease and cheerful  enthusiasm which will match the mood of the veteran and inspire the novice "
Quick post today as I need to rush off to the fodder rooms. The hens are SO hungry at the moment.
 I also need to pick up some sugar so that I can make some more marmalade.
Welcome to Beth on Bloglovin
Back Soon.
Gillx
I have just seen those animals push that black guy off the train and chant their pride at being racist. I am SO upset and angry. I hope they find them and throw the book at them, the b*****ds.

Bookshelves and my Quilt

Hello All
Many thanks for all your comments on my last post. I still have a few to answer, which I will do a.s.a.p.
A warm welcome to Kathy Allstot on Bloglovin.
Sue - from Simplesuffolksmallholder has been showing pictures of her bookshelves. They are really interesting and VERY tidy and organised. They demonstrate that she is a retired librarian (and a smallholder) Other bloggers have joined in and they are ALSO tidy. I have told Sue that I will post pictures of some of my less-than (to say the least) tidy bookshelves.
 Here are the bookshelves in "my" room. This room, which is next to the kitchen is always warm as our parrot Percy lives here. I have my lap top in here, a TV, my knitting bag, portable sewing machine and most of the Civic Society stuff too. At the moment the incubator is plugged in here too.- in the bottom right hand corner in this pic.

Here is the other side of the window. I couldn't get the bottom row of books in shot of either of these shelves because of stuff in front.

Here are the bookshelves in our "main" lounge. I suspect Sue will need to lie down in a darkened room after looking at this! I promise that I won't show you any more of my shelves, but hope that other bloggers who are  untidy and cluttered  will feel that they could be worse after looking at these pics!

As you may remember my eldest granddaughter has started quilting. I helped her with her first quilt before Christmas.Apparently her mother helped her with her second quilt before Christmas and here it is .. it was for me!!! My favourite colour and with farmyard animal print included.

Every evening I sit knitting or hand sewing while I watch TV with this quilt on my lap, thinking how lucky I am to have such a thoughtful granddaughter.
 Tomorrow I shall have said granddaughter's dog for doggie-day-care. Coda is a large yellow lab. He is three and a half years old and beset with health problems. he has arthritis, allergies and is accident prone. We reckon that he is the most expensive dog ever! He is also the sweetest natured, funny, lovable dog and worth every penny. I was so upset today to read that Cro's dog, Monty, who is so like Coda in every way has had to be put to sleep. I just sat and cried feeling for Cro and his wife and their other dog, Bok and for me and mine too as we know that Coda will never be an old dog either.
 Enough for now I'm off to print some stuff for an important meeting we have here tomorrow night.
Take care all
Gillx