The Doorstep Allotment

Whilst getting my haircut the other day (yes I still have some worthy of cutting) I got chatting with the barber (well she's a skilled hairdresser actually, it's just her skill would be wasted on my 'scratch and go' style hair cut). We were talking about growing veg in containers on the patio... so here's …

Chicken bones may be the legacy of our time

An interesting read from the Smithsonian via Chicken bones may be the legacy of our time

Stock Types

Like most livestock or pure breeds of animal, they are frequent sold according to a level of criteria they meet, and in this respect chickens are no different.   Show Quality Stock By definition, an example of a breed that is deemed as being of show or exhibition quality is a bird that exhibits all …

As Spring Approaches….

“‘Now that the growing season has started are there any ornamental plants I can grow that my chickens can benefit from?” There are a number of garden ornamentals that make great grain and seed providers for your flock come the autumn, but put on a stunning display during the main of the growing season. Sunflowers …

Egg producers urged to be ready to protect from ‘year round’ bird flu threat – Farming UK News

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 …

A Brief Appearance on BBC Midlands Today talking about Avian Flu

In case you don't live in the Midlands area or didn't get to see me pointing out of the anomalies in one country applying HRAs (High Risk Areas) and the neighbouring country not following suit.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYTZSje_yYk My thanks to David for picking up on the story, it ran for most of the day and …

A Critical Incident Reflection from the Chicken Coop

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 …

More sugar coating of egg production – aka Alternative Facts

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 …

Farmers, Smallholders Warned Not to Feed Kitchen Scraps to Animals – The Poultry Site

UK - The Animal and Plant Health Agency is warning farmers and smallholders not to feed catering or kitchen waste to livestock such as pigs and poultry, even if they are being kept as pets. Source: Farmers, Smallholders Warned Not to Feed Kitchen Scraps to Animals - The Poultry Site

Avian flu prevention zone extended to 28th Feb – Press releases – GOV.UK

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 …