Full Hen House 16 Dec 2008

The new chicks are growing and Queenie has insisted in moving into one of the nesting boxes at night, so the chicks have learnt to fly very quickly! Lola our Black Leghorn and Violet our Araucana have moved in next door and keep each other company. Violet was very sick earlier in the week, but with crop feeding and medication she has made a great recovery. Thanks to our friends at Highbury Veterinary Clinic.

Garden Excursion 14 Dec 2008

After a couple of very wet days in Melbourne, Queenie took her chicks on an excursion into the garden. Here are a couple of photos of Queenie showing the chicks how to forage.






You may notice that the Faverolle chick is missing... She drowned last week in a small bowl of water and the whole family has been very sad.

Chicks 1 Week Old

The chicks are now a week old and this is their 3rd excursion into the garden with Queenie.

She has been very busy teaching the chicks to scratch and catch bugs!

New Born Chicks 1 Dec 2008

About 3 weeks ago, we swapped some oat feed for 6 fertilised eggs at the Collingwood Children’s Farm.

Here is a photo of the living result! One egg didn’t develop at all, and I found one egg in the nest a couple of days ago with a perfect chick, but dead. So, 4 chicks from 6 eggs is a pretty good result.

I think the chicks are a Salmon Faverolle, on the right, with the feathered foot, and the other yellow chick is Light Sussex. The brown chicks are either Black Orpington or a Brown or Black Leghorn – any expert opinion greatly appreciated! They were hatched and are being mothered by Queenie, our Barnevelder. Queenie hatched our last Salmon Faverolle, Fifi.

Gladys has gone

Sadly on 21 August 2008, Gladys was put to sleep. She had been unwell for a few days, and despite our best efforts and the vet’s intensive care, she was not going to survive. She was the queen of my small flock and was a real character around the house. We will miss he, and I think my daughter doubly so.