'plants & poultry'
In normal circumstances I welcome broody chickens with open arms (although given the manner of some of my broodies I mean that metaphorically as you would be lucky to get anywhere near them!) However during the late summer months, and in particular during July and August, it can be a real problem if you find …
Continue reading "Untimely broodiness – breaking the habit"
This might not be what people want but I can't deny the logic behind the fact that if you can't free range then don't free range. It's up to you to decide if that means don't keep chickens, or do keep them but in a contained environment. "UK's Chief Vet Nigel Gibbens has said that …
So...fancy some alternate facts? Read this emotional 'plea' to 'save' spent hens. They are barely a year old and looking for new homes Source: Hens could be slaughtered - unless people don't come forward to offer them new homes - Coventry Telegraph Yep, you read it right, farmer goes and buys 5,000 hens, puts them in …
Continue reading "More sugar coating of egg production – aka Alternative Facts"
I was interested to read the below article in the i paper particularly as it resonates with many of the articles I have written on the subject over the years in titles like Country Smallholding, Fancy Fowl and even the Guardian back in 2012 "Free range egg sales have reached the same level …
Continue reading "Farmers left with fowl problem as consumers flock to free range eggs"
As another breeding season draws to a close I find myself looking back over my hatching records, and the cross section of growers I have on the go. In front of me on the wall is a 'post-it' note that states “No Eggs To Be Set After End Of May”. It is in my son’s …
Excellent development and something I've been following and commenting on in Country Smallholding column for a couple of years.
....but is killing them before they hatch really the answer or just the cheaper option?
