The Silly Season

The snowdrops have faded away, the daffodils are at their best and the bluebells (we're told) are going to be 3 weeks late. Easter's been and gone and the promise of better weather to come continues to be echoed by the forecasters and, as if that's not enough to cheer us all up, we now have the certain prospect of a General Election to occupy us for the next few weeks.

None of which matters two hoots to the inhabitants of the Poultry Palace. As far as they are concerned, it's Spring and they have to get on with doing what they have to do. So, I have three broody bantams - one of them 'sitting' on a nest of about 20 duck eggs - three broody ducks and Daffodil, the Perrenial Broody Hen. That's up to about 60 eggs being incubated! I can probably discount the 20 duck eggs under the bantam --- even if she does go the 28 days (instead of 21) I can't believe she's going to feel motherly when her little chicks go "quack" instead of "cheep".... Daffodil usually hatches 2 or 3; the ducks anywhere between 7 and 12..... and a bantam sitting on bantam eggs????? Well, so far the record is about.... 1. So this little hen has achieved a Rectory Reserve Bantam record. She looks a bit tatty but that's because she's managed to hatch THREE chicks... all on her own (usually bantams help each other out... and still only hatch one). So, she's achieved a minor miracle......

They're quite round and fluffy so I'd guess they hatched out over Easter but she's proudly keeping them well covered up for now. Hopefully, by the weekend we'll be able to get a picture or two.

Meanwhile, Precious's not-so-little brood, although only 5 weeks old, are fast approaching the weaning stage - a dead give-away is when they start eating solid food.

We know that feed bowls take on a certain significance among pigs - for instance Mangal collecting them in the Ark when he thinks it's time Ginger returned to him, or Delila hiding hers in the corner of her ark just ahead of her piglets being born. So, too, this pair of little ones are clearly stamping their mark ..... whilst the remainder of the litter are happy to share any bowl, this pair are obviously of the opinion that possession is paramount and won't let anyone else get a snout in....

On the other hand, Delila's brood are still young and innocent enough to be oblivious to the significance of the feed bowl in their midst: one or two of them think it's good for a scratch or for snoozing in but that's about it.... for another couple of weeks....... for now playing and snuffling in the sunshine is enough to keep them happy.....