'plants & poultry'
The origins and early evolution of the domestic chicken Ever since I first got involved with chickens I’ve been fascinated by them, not just the chicken we see today, but also how we got to the chicken we see today. I knew from my own relatively short history on planet earth that chicken breeds and the concept of ‘chicken’ to the …
Continue reading "Before the Backyard – a concise history of the chicken part 1"
Last year I predicted this threat could well become a reality in terms of keeping birds indoors and under cover for 6 months of the year. I didn't want to imagine it could become a year round issue. There will be some tough decisions and tough times ahead for backyarders, the Fancy and poultry shows …
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 …
Critical incidents are occurrences that let us see, with new eyes, some aspect of what we do. The critical incident in question is the outbreak of bird flu this winter, and whilst at time of writing we seem to be emerging, to some degree, from the strict prevention orders, it has given me a little …
Continue reading "A Critical Incident Reflection from the Chicken Coop"
The Chief Veterinary Officer has extended a Prevention Zone to help protect poultry from avian flu. Source: Avian flu prevention zone extended - Press releases - GOV.UK UPDATE 6th Jan 14:30: for the full legal declaration read here https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/581957/ai-prevention-zone-170106.pdf Just in case you needed a reminder, the lock down on poultry flocks and ban on poultry gatherings …
Continue reading "Avian flu prevention zone extended to 28th Feb – Press releases – GOV.UK"
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?
Last year one of the magazines I write for (Your Chickens) ran a competition for readers to design their perfect chicken house. I was asked to be one of the judges of the entries along with to-be manufacturers of the house, Smiths Sectional Buildings who are based on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border and are known for …
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